Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-04-06
The Argus Daily Short Story
The Skeleton Closely George EtheIbert Walsh
copyrighted.

I the burden thus placed so suddenly
upon his shoulders. But for Alice ha
would have quit and confessed all.
"Pn go away, my dear" he groaned
in agony Of spirit, "or I'll kill myself
no, kill him! He's the devil incarnRte."
But Alice soothed and cautioned him
| against rashness. Imagine the NORTH
cation of having low down brute In
staIling himself in your home, insult.
| ing your wife and making free with
| your money and servants and always
| holding the threat of an awful expo
sure over your head-a veritRble sword
! of Damocles. but ten times keener of
edge and suspended not by a thread,
but by tiny spiders web.
"No; we cannot go away" Alice said
IN q soft voice Eve must stay ana
bear our burden for the present You
have lived down ycur early disgrace
and proved yourself repentant man."
But the law doesn't recognize that"
bitterly complained the broken down
capitalist. eff I escaped from prison
before my time expired I'm still a
criminal In the eyes of the law. oh, if
I had been patient little IongerP'
Alice comforted him with words of
caressing affection, but the iron had
entered his soul, and he continued TO
cry out:
ITO think this drunken brute should
have his freedom without fear Of cap
ture or exposurei I'll kill the wretch
if''-
mo, dear, you won't do any such
thing-for my sake"
Jacks excuses became so disgust
ing in time that even sweet Alice's
patience and endurance were sorely
tried. Her faith in her sense of duty
was showing signs Of wavering when
suddenly without warning Jacks skel-
eton kicked open the closet and fell
sprawling on the floor.
The key was held by a quiet, thick
set man of dark complexion, who
called one evening to interview Mr..
Westlake in the quiet Of his study.
Alice was there and hung over her
husband as if to protect him.
"Mr. Westlake," announced the quiet
stranger, you have in your employ a
man of the name of Jack Lecon, be
lever"
Beverly WINGED a little at the word
employ" and he was inclined to laugh
at the irony of the thrust. Yes, he
was in his employ, but a rather ex-
pensive employee. He nodded, with a
smile, to indicate his comprehension.
"WeT, SIR" continued the stranger,
"this man is a convict-escaped from
the federal prison some months ago"
Beverly Westlake saw ali kinds of
pink and white spots, and he glanced
up to SEQ If the electric lights had
changed their coIors. Incidentally he
felt the Strengthening construction of
his wife's arms around his neck. He
realized that he was pale and that his
heart had almost ceased to beat.
There is nothing to fear, Mr.. West
lake. The house is surrounded, and
we will capture him without any out
cry. He is a desperate character
killed his guard when he escaped-and
we have made special plans to capture
him without danger to you or your
household. 1 merely called on you to
prepare your wife for any struggle
that may follow. You understand
Yes, Beverly understood, and Alice too
Alice" he said slowly, you had
better retire to your room. I win go
with-with this man to find Jack"
Intuitively she caught his meaning.
She hesitated but moment and then
kissed him as If to withdraw.
"I don't think we shall need your
services" the officer said. with a cen
f1dent air. Our plans are all carefully
laid, and by this time Jack Lecon
should be a prisoner. / came here
partly to engage your attention while
my men secured him. ! think now"
consulting his watch. 1.-THE struggle
must be over. We VIII go and see"
They passed through the great hall
in solemn procession and then turned
to mount the broad stairs to Jacks
room. lie lived In comfort and luxury
away from the servants as a man set
apart for special favors.
But they did not ascend the stairs.
A swift figure glided down the polish |
ed marble and intercepted them-a fig |
ure that hnlted but an instant and |
then would have passed on with In
sistent purpose. The officer, startled |
by the movement, turned hurriedly |
and asked;
"What is it. Sheldon2 Anything |
wrongT'
The gliding figure came to a reluc-
tant halt and replied respectfully:
Eyes, sir; he escaped and jumped |
out OF the window. But Jansen and I
Holden must have him. They were !
below
There was a hurried exit from the