Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-08


l watch for him to enter the ante
room He evidently opens the door
without coming in and speaks a few
hurried words to Laura, for can't
see him, and by her gestures 1 know
that she is receiving some unwelcome
message. But it is all over in a mo-
ment. She walks back and forth, evil
IDENTITY in great excitement.
The elderly man is also pacing his
own ONCE floor, evidently much
wrought up. Presently he sits at his
desk. seizes bis check book. writes
check and takes 1T into the anteroom.
He says something to Laura, she
standing with an the dignity she can
command, her head bent as II receiv-
ing a blow. He hands her the check
he has written. then turns and goes
back to his Office. Laura the moment
the door between them is closed con-
vulsiyely brushes the check in her
hand, puts on her cloak and hat and
leaves the room. She Is not seen at
her window again.
Act III.-An interval of six months.
The old gentleman at his desk. He
looks troubled. Enter Dick, who goes
to his father and rests his arm on his
shoulder, looking down upon him pity
ingly. A man comes from the rear
and stands in the center of the room
| reading paper can see as far up
as his chin, but no farther. Having
finished he withdraws. The old man
rests his head in his hands and his ell
bows on the desk before him.
Dick pets him and talks to him, evil
IDENTIFY trying to cheer him, but with
out success. Then the son brings his
fathers hat. coat and cane. helps him
on with the coat, hands him his cane,
puts his arm affectonately through
his, and they leave the Office.
Act Wan office desk is at tho
window where stood the typewriter,
and it is occupied by Dick. Before
him are bundles of papers. In the
adjoining office sits his father, much
broken. Most Of the time he reads a
newspaper or looks listlessly out Of
the window.
Dick is seen alternately at his desk,
in the general Office and with his IA
Their. The clerks, who are now fewer
than formerly. begin to put away their
books and papers and one by one leave
for the day. When they are all gone
Dick goes into his fathers Office and
hands the old man his hat and coat.
But the father demurs. and Dick lays
the hat and coat on a chair. Then he
goes to his desk, picks up pile of let
tiers and sits down to prepare the even
ing mail.
While Dick is tipping he stops, turns
his head and half rises from his seat.
Some one has entered, but can't see
who 1t is. Dick disappears to the
front of the office, but soon reappears
accompanied by lady richly dressed
Since the cleaning is coming on,
cannot make out her features, but
Dick turns on the electric lights, and
Laura stands beside him.
She and Dick sit down together and
begin to talk. though Dick most of the
time listens. Laura speaks with great
earnestness. Dick shakes his head
pointing toward his fathers Office. Lau
sc ra takes from her reticule package
or unfolds 1t and exposes what looks like
)" mortgage bonds. At any rate, they are
y securities of some kind. She looks al
Dick appealingly. He. forgetting IN
's der a powerful impulse, that the win
20 dow shades are not drawn, takes hel
re hand and kisses 1t passionately.
lie Both start. Some one has entered
III Dick and Laura rise and face thi.
IN newcomer. I know who he is, for
* have seen the old man in his ofict
o. take up his hat and coat and leave II
to He has come in to where his son is
ut and can see him slowly advancing
1e toward Dick and Laura with a sur
prised expression on his face. TheI
re Dick speaks. How tantalizing that
cannot hear a word he says. His man
y ner is impressive. He points 10 tn
Mt bonds in Laura's hands, while he tell
he his father about them. Laura stands
re her head bent, her eyes resting On tn
be floor.
~ Dicks words are few. Indeed, tAel
m are but a single sentence. When It Il
er finished all three stand for q few mo
to ments in silence-Dick erect. pointing
ey to the securities; Laura's eyes stil
bent ON the floor; the old man hooking
70, from one to the other In evident amaze
lis ment. Then, advancing toward Laura
lit he encfrcies her in his arms and kisse
" her on the forehead. Reaching 70
I'M Dicks hand, he holds It for a momen
m while one arm encircles Laura. the
IFS Joined his sons hand with hers
he Curtain.
ut have seen these actors often sine
te- the close Of the play, and they are Al
ce happy. The old man has brightene
he up, but leaves the business in his SON
lot hands, though he goes to his office q
ay Of yore. I have taken pains to 60 an
look at the flrn name on the Office doc
ng and have noticed that there has been
FOR change from John d. to John d. & q
H. I infer that Laura, or. rather. youn
re, Mrs. D.. Is the company.
a But she has nothing to do with th
ng management Of the business-indee,
1er her attention is taken up In another
ay- rection. Only yesterday she came upo
ak the office stage attended by nurs
ar carrying a little chap much resemblin
yet. bis father and grandfather.