Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-05-11
Copyright. ~ ". G. Chapman.J

ing tones in which he addressed the
Englishman.
When at length the gentlemen en-
tered the drawing room Mrs. Jerrold,
reckoning Lord Jocelyn into a corner,
approached the subject in hand in the
most direct way possible.
81 understand. Lord Jocelyn," she
began, that a mutual attraction has
sprung up between yourself and May"
Lord Jocelyn was too confused 20
find a suitable answer, but evidently
Mrs. Jerrold expected none.
I'VE were so entranced IL your
dear father" she continued effusively.
He is such a peerless gentleman,
Lord Richard. And before we left he
begged that We would find you in
New York and take you to our hearts.
Yes. those were his very words"
The lady was looking at him with
an expression Of the utmost and most
complacent benevolence.
And l may tell you, in confidence,
Lord Richard" she went on, that
May had more than friendly feelings
for you. But she is shy, poor girl, and
L
a mothers word, Lord Richard: go
and find her and discover for yourself
what sentiments she entertains. l be-
leve," she ended, glancing around
her, that you will find her in the
/ conservatory"
Lord Jocelyn rose obediently. AS
he left the room he felt his face grow
red with shame at the righteousness
Of the trap that had been set for him.
At the bottom of the flight he heard
whispers coming from among the
/ palms in the conservatory, and pass
/ ing between the two armored figures,
he suddenly found himself face to
/ face with May JeErold and Prince Won
Alitfohlen. So quickly he came upon
| them that he could have sworn he
/ saw the princes right arm in peculiar
/ proximity to the lady's waist; but as
/ he drew near both started up with an
expression Of embarrassment and
stood facing him nervously.
May Jerrold broke the silence.
Have you seen father since din
ner?" she asked the prince. He was
crazy to talk with you about buying
some hunting dogs. You ought TO find
him IN his library"
The prince took his dismissal with
good grace He bowed to the lady
and then TO Jocelyn, a slightly super
cilious smile lowering upon his lips
as he caught the latter's embarrassed
glance. Then he was gone. aud May
Jerrold sat down again and made
room for JocClyn upon TIE seat beside
her.
! Jocelyn sat down nervously, mute IN
humiliation and shame How was
he to begin? What was he to say?
There had never been any but the
most formal relations between himself
and this young woman. Presently he
raised his head and found Miss Jer-
rold looking into his eyes. There was
a peculiar greenish light in hers, at
once fascinating and repellent
Your mother said that-you would
be here" he stammered. Il don't
know how to begin to talk to you
Miss Jer~old-I-"
/ The answer was the most unex
pected thing that had ever happened
T. to Jocelyn. for. without a word, the
: young woman laid her head upon his
: shoulder and burst into tears. Then
as he began timidly to ask the cause
t Of her distress. finding that she only
: sobbed more bitterly, he was tempted
10 place one arm around her and, with
= the filmy handkerchief she carried il
! her hand, to wipe away her tears.
-
: how pretty May Jerrold was. Hell
hair. which had at first appeared Il
J him 10 be Of plain red, displayed I'm
guessed CLEANS Of gold and bronze
: under the lamp light; her greenisl
: eyes revealed wonderful depths; he
?. red lips were not FIVE inches from
: his own. And suddenly Lord JocelyI
= realized that he loved her He ben
b forward and kissed her lips.
y Il love you, May. Do you low
me?" he whispered; and, though tn,
9 question had been asked many time
i before by many men, it possessed
?, novelty that positively thrilled him.
:. Yes" whispered Miss Jerrold
t Then you won't cry any more
d Why are you crying, dearest?"
20. it's so shameful" she muI
l, INJURED. ITO be bought and sold"
q 'Sold?" reiterated Lord Jocelyn, hi
d heart humping unanimously
d TO you" she murmured, restin
g comfortably in his arms that now er
d folded her. Did you think I wa
q cold to you. dearest? 1t was this cor
q seriousness that ii was all matter O
r, bargain between you and me"
h Dearest May" answered Jocely-
q fervently, If had not loved you
g should never have"
= Never have what, Richard?"
II ASKED you 10 be my wife, as / d
e now" said Jocelyn. viii you MARI
d NE. dearest?"
l. Yes" whispered Miss Jerrold. bio
ing her face in his coat, "But-bu
). you really love me?"
n II loved you from the first momen
4 l saw you" replied Jocelyn, and b
=. meant it sincerely. For his DISCUS
4 had been completely obliterated il
n this sudden revulsion OF feeling. an
A he knew only that he loved this VOL
$. derful creature with the alluring eyes
II and that he had always loved hel