Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-27
CHAPTER XXI.
The Odds Against Him.


The noise OF the opening Of the
door and the thrush Of cold air that
followed awoke Enid Maitland to in
slant action. She rose TO her feet and
faced the entrance through which she
expected Nevbold to reappear-for Of
course the newcomer must be he
and for the life Of her she could not
help that radiating fash Of Joy, the
momentary anticipation Of which fair
~ TRANSPORTED her being; although II
she had stopped TO reflect she would
have remembered that not in the
whole course Of their acquaintance had
I. Newbold ever entered her room at any
! time without knocking and receiving
permission.
Some OF that JOY yet fingered in her
lovely face when she tardfly recog-
nized the newcomer IN the half light
Armstrong, scarcely waiting to close
: the door, sprang forward joyfully with
( his hands outstretched.
Enid" he cried.
!, Naturally he thought the look OF e1-
pectant happiness he had surprised
upon her face was for him and be
accounted for It's sudden disappear
8 ance by the shock Of lis unexpected,
: unannounced, abrupt, entrance.
: The warm color had flushed her
Z face, but as she stared at him her as
!. pect rapidly changed. She grew paler.
. The happy light that had shone in her
eyes faded away and as he approached
: her she shrank back.
"You!" she exclaimed almost IN ter
TOR.
YES" he answered smilingly, Il
have found you at last. Thank God
you are safe and well. oh, II you
could only know the agonies ] have
gone through ! thought loved you
whom ! left you six weeks ago, but
now"
In eager impetuosity he drew nearer
20 her. Another moment and he
would have taken her IN his arms, but
she would have none OF him.
Stop" she said with a cold and
inhexible sternness that gave pause
even to his buoyant joyful assurance
why, what's the matter?"
"The matter? Everything, but"
man Etill cheerfully but with a grow
ing misgiving. His suspicious. in abey
ance for the moment because OF hi
Joy at seeing her alive and well, arose
with renewed force. 81 left you prac
tically pledged to me-" he resumed.
Not so fast" answered Enid Matt
land. determined to combat the light
n est attempt to establish bindinl
claim upon her.
Isn't It true?" asked Armstrong
Here. wait" ne said before she coulC
answer. II am half frozen, have beef
searching for you since early morn
ing IN the storm" He unbuttoned an,
unbelted his huge fur coat as he spok
and threw II carelessly on the floor b.
his Winchester leaning against tn.
wall. Now" he resumed, II can tall
better
You must have something to ca
then" said the girl.
She was glad OF the interruptio
since she was playing for time. Sh
did not quite know how the interview
would end, he had come upon her 8
Unexpectedly and she had never 70
mulated what she would say to hin
that which she felt she must say. Sh
must have time to think, 10 colleC
herself. which he in his part was Qui;
willing to give her, for he was NJ
much better prepared for the int
view than she. He really was hungr
and tired. his early journey had bee
foolhardy and in the highest degrs
dangerous. The violence Of his admi
alton for her added to the excitemel
OF her presence, and the probable nes
ness OF Newbold as to whose wher
abouts he wondered were not condu
i've TO rapid recuperation. II wou
be comfort to him also TO have fox
and time.
sit down." she said. I shall
back in a moment"
The IRE Of the morning was ct
burning in the stove in the kitchen;
heat q can OF soup. to make him son
buttered toast and hot coffee, were u
tasks of q few moments; abe broug
them back TO him. set them on the I
BILE before him and babe him fall To.
BY jove." exclaimed the man aft
little time as he began to eat hai
fly but with great relish what she h
prepared, while she stood over hi
watching him silently. This is COZ
A warm, comfortable room. somethil
to eat served by the finest woman
the world, the prettiest girl on ear
TO look at-what more could a man (
sire? This is the way it's going to
always In the future"
You have no warrant whatever I
saying or hoping that" answered Z
girl slowly but decisively.
Have / notg" asked the man ouiS
ly. Did you not say TO me a lit
while ago that you liked me bet
than any man you had ever met a
that l might win you II could? We
i can, and what's more. I win IN SD
OF yourself. Enid. he laughed. wi
the memory OF that kiss ! stole fr,
you makes me mad" He pushed
things before him and rose to his Z,
once more. Come. give me anothe
he said. 1T isn't in the power Of ,
man 70 stand against q love 4
mine
Isn't itg-