Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-11-02

"How?"
"As soon as you came in 1 found
the buzzer on the burglar alarm that
| connects with the police station and
signaled. They should be here very
soon" She was quite white now. and
the hand that held the revolver trem-
bled visibly.
lis there a telephone in this room?"
asked Jack presently.
YES" replied the girl.
You wouldn't let me call up cen
trail and discover where my cousins.
the Mertons. are? If I'm in the wrong
house, why
us there any doubt about thatf" Her
face was slightly contemptuous.
"a good deal of doubt" asserted
Jack boldly. This room is as fatpil-
lar to me as my own home. I've spent
weeks here. I know every chair and
table. for the Mertons are not given
to changing their furniture. If you
would take the trouble to look you
might find n picture Of me somewhere
about the premises"
81 think not. except here" She laid
her hand on the paper, with a provok-
ing smile.
do you mean to tell me that this is
not Mr.. Fred Merton's house" de-
manded Jack.
"RealIy. If it's any advantage for
| you to know. I wish / could tell you
the name of the owner: only. you see.
nv friends have rented it furnished
for the summer season. and | only ar
rived this morning. and did not hear
the name of the owner If it has been
mentioned. And so it is possible that
this is Mr.. Merton's house. daresay
you are quite familiar with a good
many houses
Let up on that" growled Jack, quite
out of temper. NO use hitting fell
low when he's down. you know
st beg your pardon" said the girl.
her face coloring adorably, "but you
must think me very mean. I've really
been talking at random. / thought
heard sound Her head was bent
in a listening attitude.
Burglars" suggested Jack. with a
grim smile. "Or what might be worse
for me. pOlice-ugh!'
A strained look came into the girls
face as footsteps advanced swiftly
down the hall toward the door. She
arose and leaned toward her captive.
I'm sorry. l hope you'll come out
all right. 1 wish it had not been l
who had to-
Thanks" said Jack dryly. I'll
probably come out after I've served
time. AS in the case of the girl in the
musical comedy song. you know. /
must be captured by somebody. and it
may as well be you Well, here goes"'
There was the sound of voices out
side the door-feminine voices-and
then the door opened and skirts rustled
silkily forward.
Jean. you poor child. were you
frightened to death staying all alone
here Mercy. what's this? oh, put
down that pistolr'
Three young women. pretty as pic
lures, handsomely gowned. huttered
toward the loveliest girl of all as she
dropped the revolver to the desk. She
arose and pointed a slim forefnger
toward Jack Merton.
THAT is Pussy Harry, wanted by
the police. I have captured him
She tainted away then. and it was
Jacks privilege to gather her up and
lay her on the leather couch before
confronting the bevy Of hysterical girls.
who had fed to distant corner.
I'm Jack Merton" began that gen.
tleman with what dignity he could as
sumo. "and I've been trying to per-
suade this young lady that
"Of course it's Jack" cried the tall
est girl. tossing back her veil. IT'S
Peters cousin. Tell me what has hap
pened.''
Jack found his hands grasped by
the welcoming hands OF his cousin.
| Peters bride. and he found no diff
Guilty in convincing his listeners of his
identity. The girl on the couch was
recovering and sat up. listening to the
! conversation with flaming cheeks and
! sparkling eyes.
1--WE went to the matinee and left
| Jean alone. All the servants were out.
She's been reading that lurid newspa-
per and-well. really. Mr. Merton. it
does look like you" explained Mrs.
Fancher when Mrs. Peter had made
the proper introductions 81 don't
wonder Jean was frightened But
what pluck she had. Just fancy hold
ing that revolver. and it is loaded.
| girls. No; there is no burglar alarm.
What a fb. Jean, OF course she
didn't know the name Of Merton. We
just met Mrs. Peter downtown and
dragged her up. They're staying ut
the shore and SO the explanations
went on, and after little while Jack
found himself sitting down beside
Jean lines trying to make his peace
with that disconnected little lady.
And so your home is in San Fran
cisco?" he asked delightedly. why.
| that's where I'm going to live.
hadn't counted on such good luck
having a friend there. you know"
I'm so sorry" faltered Jean. with
soft shyness in her tender eyes.
I'm not" asserted Jack, land I'm
sure you would have captured me
| sooner or later You'll find me the
most willing victim" And the look in
| her eyes satisfied Jack that he had
! entered the right house after all.