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

sembled in the country home of Ed
ward Giddings. couple of dozen
young people spent their time there
during the day, some sleighing-for
there was snow on the ground-some
skating. while others in the house
were fitting before the great open
fireplaces. of which there were sew
ersl. In the evening there was bridge
whist and five hundred" and dancing.
There were three young persons
present whose relations were natural
" somewhat strained-George Chace,
Edna Hilliard and Sarah Tucker. !
Chace had been engaged to Sarah |
Tucker, but had broken with her to |
engage himself to Edna Hilliard. Miss |
Tucker did not appear TO be much |
troubled over her jilting and was car |
rying on mild affair with Evan Walk
er. Some of our party-for l was a
guest-thought it was George who had
been Tilted instead Of Sarah. At any
rate, of the three concerned in the
transition from one girl to another, he
seemed the most uneasy. l had known
him from boyhood. he often having
carried my books for me to and from
school, and had shown me other at
tentions. Edna billiard l knew slight
" and thought very well of her. As
to Sarah Tucker disliked her.
1t seemed to me that George was
between two fires. He was Just one
of those fellows to get into trouble
with girls and very likely to make a
misalliance-good natured. impulsive
reckless. There had been times when
I could have drawn proposal from
him, but / was not sure but that he
would be sorry the next day for what
he had done. Nevertheless despite his
faults, I admit that I was very fond
of him.
One evening we were playing romp-
ing game in the drawing room-blind
mans buff-and one of the girls. Cectle
Stanford, who was blindfolded, caught
George Chace, and the handkerchief
was transferred from her eyes to his.
1 noticed soon after this that his old
fame, Sarah Tucker, was capering
about in front of him, occasionally, by
sounds permitting him to know her To-
cation. In this way he followed her,
or she drew him-I didn't know which
into a corner formed by projecting
fireplace, where for moment they dis
appeared from our view. Sarah was
caught, and they reappeared, George
pulling the handkerchief from his eyes
While Sarah was blindfolded Cecile
Stanford noticed that her watch that
had been clasped to her corsage was
missing. The game was stopped. ano
we all proceeded to hunt for the lost
timepiece. 1t was not found. Giddings
looked very much put out. He shut
the doors and said:
Something is wrong here. I would
gladly buy Miss Stanford another
watch If it would obliterate the mat
ter. but 1t wouldn't. That l have 6
thief among my friends is painfully ev
ident. Some one in this room has the
watch Garner and Miss Ellsworth
are in the billiard room playing &
game and consequently cannot be sus
pected. propose that they be brough
In and asked to search every one O.
U.S."
The plan was carried out. The watcl
was not found, but valuable scarf
pin belonging to one Of the men wa
discovered in George Chaces Goa
pocket. This fixed the identity of tn
thief to the satisfaction of most o
those concerned. George acted as an.
one would act under the circumstances
He turned pale.
do you intend to arrest meF' b
asked of the host.
Certainly not. This affair Is ba'
enough without making it subject 70
the newspapers"
Without another word George turne'
and walked out of the room. Hi
fiancee did not follow him. In half al
Z hour he came down stairs with hi
overcoat on his arm and his hat in hi
hand was the only person who wen
4 out to say goodby to him. Even Mis-
billiard failed to do so.
Keep up your courage. George"
said. you've been made a victim o
a plot. / shall remain here and Sc
If can get hold of crew.
The momentary light Of gratitud
that came into his eye amply repai
me for my words Then his face fe
back to its former expression as b
=, said:
in my opinion there will never b
an explanation"
had been unwise in joining Geore
at the door, for it was an announce
ment that l was his advocate, and
put those in the conspiracy OH the
guard After his departure. instead {
Ia going back to where the others wer
went to my room. and as soon as
could compose myself began to thin
had observed the circumstance
which had occurred shortly before Il
watch was missed. Cecile was doub
>, less blindfolded when 1t was take
Then 1 remembered Sarah Tucke
drawing George off to corner. wheI
for a moment they were not seen.
This latter circumstance only co
firmed by woman's instinct that 81
was the arch plotter in the case.
believed she had stolen the watch fro
-. Cecile, or picked it up and kept it,
- hidden it temporarily And l believe
che bod oISn c+oIap tho carfniD