Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-08-11

Now. don't be cross she rallied
him playfully. You haven't been
down TO see me in a month, and you
| have never written me a single letter"
Il never put myself on paper" re-
turned Phillip.
You're a most unsatisfactory low
er." she charged. Struggling her Shout
ders.
Blagg. gaunt and emaciated. passed
them with look of concentrated fury;
his eyes. sunken deep in their cavities.
looked like wells of DlaCkneSS. Lillian
smiled at his malevoIence. but Kelvin
shook his head.
Il don't like that fellow he observ-
ed Hes dangerous man TO have
around Hes foot and fanatic. and
there is TO telling where and when he
Will break loose"
Il don't know" Lillian unused. 81
/ believe that all you say about him is
true. but l rather like TO play with
fire. don't you?"
No" replied Kelvin shortly-''not
! unless there Is a definite end TO gain
by doing So
When the company sat down to din
ner Kelvin found AZ his plate the early
bulletins. They were all highly favor
able to the election of Kelvin ana Rol-
Inns and had the effect of starting the
dinner with much !ightness of spirit.
AT 10 O'Clock. however. unfavorable
bulletins began to come in. one after
the other. and Senator Sawyer, wor-
ried beyond measure by the unexpect-
ed development, came busting into the
room
81 don't understand it," he declared
1T would look as II the labor vote had
suddenly switched"
Lillian. watching Biagg. saw his face
light with malignant smile.
Il cannot understand how the labor
vote should nave been eStrauged,"
commented Kelvin slowly; but, after
all. what does il matter? The thing in
which ! am chiefly interested just now
is not cause. but result. We can an
alyze the situation afterward."
Blagg. still smiling. left the room, re-
turning a moment later with still other
depressing news. The able had been
cleared, only wine and cigars and
cigarettes remaining. and Breeds COM
pany alternated neryously between the
balcony and the table. sitting outside
at times TO watch the big Illuminated
screen across the street. The most of
them were inside when, at the end of
an hour of almost continued bad news.
Blagg brought in particularly unfa-
vorable telegram. one purportng to
come from the national committee and
conceding the possible defeat OF KeI-
vim by u narrow margin.
I'm bound TO confess that 1t looks
bad" Kelvin was forced 10 admit. but
I'm like you. senator; / can't under
stand it, | don't see what element
could have worked against me-"
u can tell you" suddenly broke in
the voice of Blagg. voice that was
shrill in its long suppressed triumph.
Il did il. l am at the head of an or
ganiZation of quarter of million
men. each one sworn with his life
against rhe principles you represent
] sent them out the word Immediately
after your nomination and once a
week since to vote against you and TO
work against you tooth and nail. and
they have done it. You owe your de
feat to me-" And be beat both hands |
upon his chest in bis madness OF exui- |
tation.
Kelvin eyed him coldly. You were |
not asked for any comments or eXpla- |
nations. Mr.. Blagg," he observed. For |
the remainder of the evening you will |
kindly and without unnecessary con- |
versation attend to the duties which |
permit you to enter this room"
Blagg caught his breath sharply and |
trembled. His hands clinched convul- |
sively. but suddenly be wheeled and !
STROBE from the room.
A cheer, the first hearty one In
half hour. attracted them to the bal |
cony. The bulletin across the street |
was displaying a highly favorable mes
sage. which proved TO be the turning
of the tide. Lillian went into Blagg's !
room to telephone for Elsie White.
Bagg was in a chair in the corner.
with his handkerchief to his mouth.
and there were red stains upon IL He
rose as Lillian entered.
You may go get that cigar now"
he said to his assistant, who was at
the key. What did | tell your he
demanded. turning to Lillian as soon
as the operator had gone. who has
shown the greater power-Kelvfn or
myself? He is through, and it is l
who have defeated him. 1t is only the
start of the things l am destined to
do. and with your help i can conquer
worlds. Lillian. come with me-" He
caught her by the shoulder. You
know where there is a billion and
half dollars in cash. With this money
we can overturn the entire rotten So
ciaI and financial and political system
of this country and sway the might
fest en7ire In the world to our will.
I've talked Of this phase first because
you have not let me talk of love. but
now l must speak of 1t. Lillian. l am
dying for the love of you. Come right
now, while you have a chance, and
well go to Forest Lake Immediately
tonight. rye a thousand men where ]
can mass them In an hour. Come!
Kelvin will cast you off Ike broken
toy"