Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-01-31

omcer OF the law in earnest conversa-
ton with the rufian in the checkered
ulster.
When the rebe1lious brown hair had
been smoothly coiled into its most be-
coming couture and Miss Robbins had
donned a dainty violet gown she be-
gan to feel more eharitably inclined
toward the world in general.
Perhaps" she remarked to the re-
fected face In the glass. 81 was a bit
hasty with that dreadful man." Her
meditations were interrupted by voices
down in the front hall.
A moment later Jack burst excited
ly into the room.
Hello, there, Betsie" he cried. Re
member hearing me tell about my old
college chum, Hal Smith, great ath-
lete, famous football player and fine
fellow? Well, met him In the res
taurant at noon today. and whom do
you suppose he is? None other than
your great DR. Henry Huntington
Smith. Hasn't had time to hunt me up
since he came to the city, for he is a
very busy man. So / just made him
promise to come up to dinner tonight,
and when you come down." finished
Jack, with a laugh, "you can talk over
your mission work with him."
YES" agreed his sister in a small
voice, my mission work"
She stood for a moment at the head
Of the stairs. listening to their voices,
when suddenly Bettie's eyes opened
very wide
Where had she heard that deep toned
voice before? 1t was like, oh, horri-
bly, like She descended two or three
steps and looked over the balustrade.
The Rev. DR.. Smith was standing
before the fireplace, his tall, broad
shouldered figure clad irreproachably
in the black of his calling.
Poor Bette collapsed, a violet bun
die, on the third top step Of the stairs.
The voice still came floating up TO
her.
Yes, / have had some odd expert
ences, Jack, but 1t is all in knowing
the nature of the people you have to
deal with. A very unpleasant Incl
dent occurred, however, this afternoon.
was going over to hold service at our
mission when / saw one OF those poor
| girls at the door She was evidently
hesitating, undecided whether to en-
ter or to go on in her own way. Some
times a smiling word of encourage
ment or companionship is all that Is
needed to help make the decision. so
invited her to go in with me.
'In a moment she was on the de-
| fensive. Still / tried to persuade,
when she turned on me a veritable
| virago-threatened," said DR.. Smith,
ito hand me over to the police. She
might" lie continued re6ectively,
"have had a pretty face had it not
been so completely hardened into reck-
/ lessness."
/ Miss Bette arose suddenly and came
rustling softly down the stairs. She
stood for a moment In the doorway
/ awaiting her brothers Introduction
with downcast eyes.
"I am so pleased to meet you, DR..
! Smith," said a meek voice, but the
young minister stood staring and
seemed to have forgotten to speak.
Bette" said Jack fmpulsively, "Dr.
Smith has been telling me about that
mission you are interested in, and you
had better not go there any more. My
| sister," he explained to his friend,
us very tinid."
81 do not think that / shall go again,
| Jack, DEAR" said his sister, ''for was
so annoyed this afternoon when leav-
ing the mission to come home. One
of the rough men of that locality was
very rude. In fact, don't doubt that
he was after my purse, for he actually
caught me by the arm, and he had
such hard, wicked face"
Bette shuddered and then smiled at
the minister.
THAT settles it." said Jack sternly.
"You do not go again"
Bette led the way to the dining
room and paused a moment as her
brothers friend held the curtain aside
for her to pass.
do you think" she asked, looking
up at him with dancing eyes, that
there would be any real dangerT
ct think" said DR.. Smith, with an
answering smile, that your brother
need have no anxiety upon your be-
half, for 1 am quite sure that you are
able to take care of yourself"
Mrs. HOLLYWOOD had just finished
reading an account Of the marriage Of
Miss Elizabeth Dorothy Robbins 30
the Rev. Henry Huntington Smith.
"She is a bright girl" she said to
her husband, land a pretty one, but
fear she viii be no help to that great
man in his mission work. Truly he
might have made a wiser choice"
But DIR. Smith holds a very different
opfnion