Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-16
The Argus Daily Story
Revenge-By Clarissa Mackie.
couyr,Enrso. islz. os Associated Literary Bureau

him. indeed. and a thrill of regret
stirred him that she could not be for
him after all.
And suppose 1 am the governess?"
she inquired at last. and her beautiful
contralto voice caused another thrill
within his chill, well ordered interior
You know l am engaged to Mrs. Sill
yester?"
She nodded carelessly.
Mrs. Sylvester is very particular
very particular indeed" he began as.
suredly. Il am sure she would not
care for governess who He fioun-
dered under her scornful glance.
who had once been engaged to you,
who once wore the historic emerald on
her plebeian. paint stained hand" she
finished mockingly. She lifted one
slim white hand and contemplated IL
thoughtfully.
Il was going to say more than that"
he said. vindictive in his turn. and his
eyes betrayed the length to which he
would go.
IF You said more than that you
would lie." She spoke with a calm dig
nifty that set oddly 'on one so young.
81 knew you were here and came down
to prepare you for my appearances
Mrs. Sylvester shall not know l have
ever seen you before unless you force
me to tel! her l am not proud OF that
little episode in my life. ! was only
sixteen. but ] believed in you. Two
years IS long time. and now / nm
woman. You All. here is mother
now"
"Annabel" Mrs. Silvester's aston
ishment was blended with laughter
and well simulated confusion as she
gave her hand to Willoughby.
"Annabel?" squeaked that gentleman
pitifully.
Annabel courtesied mockingly. AN
mabel LANCE Sylvester, who tired OF
convent life and spent year in Paris
studying art, who tired of art and went
back to the convent and who has come
home and surprised her dear mamma
by being 80 grown up!
Darling. you positively shocked
me-" murmured Lucia Sylvester. caress-
ing the ruddy hair with one plump
| white hand. "I did not realize you
were growing up. l have always
thought of you as my little girl. Now
I shall keep you hidden till after my
wedding" she concluded, with an arch
smile. at the disturbed face Of her be-
trothed.
WiIIoughby Jones-Derrick was adj
! justing his slow moving faculties to
| this latest order OF things.
First, 1t had been Anne LANCE. a
| ghost out of his respectable past that
might rattle its bones unpleasantly to
the sound of wedding bells or hush
those bells altogether, and this we'd
ding meant his bread and butter-and
cigarettes.
Now. it was Annabei. the stepdaugh-
ter. who confronted him: AnnabeI.
his prospective stepdo;,shter. who
turned ont to have beer mis- fiancee for
several delicious w4el;s and whom
he had heartlessly Tilted when her
youthful charms palled upon him.
Even with her promise to forget the
past warmth IN her lips he wondered
whether he corld live with her and
look on her each day as slumberipg
volcano which might burst forth any
moment and ovcrwhelm him with t6e
lava OF truth. Women were treacher-
GUS. and had not a great poet said
that "hPll holds no fury like q wom-
an scorned"
81 have been making the acqualnt-
ance of Mr.. Jones-Derrick." said Anna
bel, with Il suddenly sweet smile He
thinks ] remind him of an old friend,
and we squabbled over the matter.
Now we shall bury the Ratchet. shall
we not?' She extended her cool hand.
Willoughby grasped it eagerly. and
tears of relief almost forced them
selves to his fine eyes. Yes" he said.
with the stif heartiness that was his
nearest approach to friendllness.
81 thought mother was all alone. and
so I came home to take care of her
girls have such funny ideas" Anna
n bells voice was honey sweet.
ST have given that right to Mr.. Jones'
Derrick" smiled Mrs. Sylvester over
the teapot.
81 will take care of you both" said
Willoughby ponderously.
Annabel curled her lips scornfully.
and they trembled with the quick
words that would unmask the man be-
fore her and reveal his utter faithless-
ness to her mother. But, she thought.
perhaps he was not TO blame for firing
of her. mere schoolgirl Her beauti-
full mother was neare - age and
taste. Standing there. - ard cold.
Annabel saw the loveIlght shining in
her mothers eyes, noticed the gray
threads in WiIloughby's thick hair.
saw him wince-he was afraid of her.
Something that had choked her heart
two years ago was suddenly swept
away in a warm food. and this warmth
filed her beautiful eyes. She stepped
forward ana laid her hand on the
; clasped fingers of her mother and the
man.
yes. mother. dear. your husband
will take care of us--both. Let us all
be happy" she said. throwing away
all revenge and scorn.
Something hot and glistening fell
on Annabel's hand. hut her mothers
eyes were dry and shining. She did not