Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-03-18

She was glad OF the respite to think
over the startling situation IL this
gentleman was Alderman Mullin. the
father OF James. the unruly, who. then.
was the gentleman who had imper-
sonated the alderman and made him
self responsible for the behavior of
James?
Across the room a couple revolved
stifiy in the CITATIONS of. waltz;
Anna recognized the burly form of the
now familiar Mr.. Mullin and also that
of the lady she had known as Jimmy's
mother. AS for the other man-her
face grew hot with indignation. and
she looked lovelier than ever when
Larry found her out. He had another
man with him this time.
"Mr. Alderman Mullins cousin, sis
another Mullin and a gentle knight
a good friend Of my owni George. my
sister, Miss Deganp'
Larry left the two facing each other
In the quiet corner, the man. -resplen-
dent in green and white satin and gold,
looking tenderly down on the young
girl In green and gold.
Miss began looked him sq2arely in
the face and with contemptuous shrug
turned away, but he caught her little
gesture.
''wait, please" he said gravely, and
Miss began waited for his explanation.
It came after little while, haltingly.
as from a man who is not accustomed
to explain his actions:
when a little lad is afraid OF his
father, Miss Degan, he naturally turns
to some man whom he knows is fond
OF him and will stand by him in trou-
BILE. Jimmy confessed to me this after
noon that he was afraid to take you
to his father-his father would thrash
him, and that is all the good it would
dol So the lad brought you to me and
trusted me to understand the situation
and to stand by him. / didn't get on
to his little game till after you went,
though understood from his looks he
was in trouble, 80 / let It go, hoping
to see you again and explain matters
to you. I had q talk with Jimmy, and
he's going to be good. In fact, I've told
him I shall call at the school every
week and find out what his deport-
ment Is. hope you do not mind. Miss
Degan."
Anna listened to the long speech
with downcast eyes and trembling lips.
She was glad that she had spared Jim
my a whipping from his stern father
and that this kind hearted cousin had
masqueraded before her as Jimmy's
parent He had a good face, and, after
all, Jimmy would improve and room
No. IL might be a credit 10 the grade
afteg all!
She smiled gratefully up at Mr..
George Mullin and dashed a tear from
the corner Of her eye. 81 am very glad
you did not disillusion me. was so
tired and cross just then might have
taken Jimmy down to his fathers Of
fee, wherever it is."
Hell be a good boy after this"
promised Jimmy's big cousin as they
glided into a waltz. Sweetly, aiiuring-
ly, came the strains of Kathleen Ma
vourneen," and they did not speak
again until it was over. After q little
while Mullin asked softly:
"And may come to the school once
week and look at Jimmy's report,
Miss DeganT
Annals fingers touched the little
golden harps on her pretty fan, and
they seemed to give forth strange.
sweet music-happy music that fell in
cadence with his deep, meIodious voice:
Yes, come" she said demureiy. II
think 1t Is a very good idea"
Jimmy Mullin never could under
stand why, after that. his cousin,
George Mullin, always called him "Cu-
pid."