Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-17


ward Rose Lane The burden of mis-
cry that might descend upon him
would only be given greater weight.
Valentine desired to talk alone with
Rose Lane. and after a lengthy con-
versation. punctuated by lavish prom
iSes of hunting trips, sent the lad away
TO play with Kitty in the new vault,
which for their purpose became a
smuggler's cave
The assistant cashier stepped for
ward toward Rose. who stood close to
his desk, resting her sable muff on it's
polished top.
ITO what am indebted for this
pleasure?'' he asked of her.
Yourself" She smiled graciously
on him as she spoke.
Valentine drew near to her.
Howl"
Don't You suppose like you as
well as do the children:" she an
swered gayly.
do you?" he asked anxiously.
Yes, but why is it that you never
do call on me any more?' she ques-
toned rcproachfulIy.
"Weli-because"- he became very
uncomfortable. She must never know
the true reason for his avoidance of
her.
DO you think it's fair to use a wo-
mans weapon against her? You know
it's a woman's birthright to say be
cause when She
81 meant
"what?'
"oh-ah-what were we talking
about?''
LAS to why you don't call on me
any more"
Valentine struggled to think of a
successful mode Of escape from an
swering the question.
We'll, now-don't you See" he STAN
mered. "Of course you do He was
becoming more involved every mo
ment.
The girls smile began to fade
Rather grimly she, interrupted him.
NO. don't see at ALL" was her an
nouncement. She moved away from
the desk.
We'll, Miss Lane. r.
The telephone bell rang at his desk.
He bent forward and put the receiver
TO his ear. AS he hung up the re-
ceiver clerk entered
WIN you have the cash now?'' the
employee asked.
I'm a few minutes"
No sooner had the clerk made his
exit when a messenger boy entered.
bearing a telegram. Valentine tore
it open, apologizing TO Rose as he did
so. The girl saw that the assistant
cashier was very busy. She deter
mined to leave him for the present.
As Valentine dismissed the boy she
announced that If the press of bust
ness would not continue all day she
would return. Valentine assured her
that IN a half hour he would be at
leisure and that he would sacrifice
everything else in order to talk to her.
She started toward the door, assuring
him that she would return. AS she
opened the door she turned and cast
g smile in the direction of the assist
ant cashier.
But Valentine did not notice it He
did not see it His eyes were glued to
the slip of yellow paper that he held
in his hand. The girl saw that as he
read the telegram an expression OF
tenseness, OF unsubdued excitement,
crept across his face. Wondertngly
she softly closed the door. A few
steps carried her before Valentine.
who looked up in surprise, thinking
she had gone.
What is it-that telegram" she
gasped. ~It's bad news for you-very
bad" she went on. II must know"
Valentine. undergoing q pronounced
shock owing TO the contents OF the
message which he held IN his hand,
was almost completely unstrung by
the interruption OF the girl he loved
Was it not fate that prompted her 10
appear before him at the very moment
when
oh. Il IS nothing" he said weakly /
Merely a little business tangie-that
IL all"
BE stepped out from BekiEd his I,