Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-06-12
A Midnight
Elopenent

ptIEt pldytl u couple Oh BdLu - VI opll-
taire. looked out Of the windows of his
apartment on Madison avenue, and
cleaned his pipes. At last. in despera-
ton. he rang for his valet.
Talbot" he said. when his servant
entered. I'm bored again. Shall l go
20 bed?"
no, sir. I'd take a bit OF a stroll,
slr." his servant answered.
Excellent idea, Talbot" cried Lord
Jocelyu enthusiastically. Bring me
my boots"
As be put them on the last traces
OF ounui vanished from his counte.
nance. Walking was 70 Lord Jocelyn
the best refuge against that state OF
mind when the world commence to
look stale and Improbable, for
stroll about the city seemed equivalent
10 a plunge into unknown depths,
frauglt with possibilities. Since he
had been in New York the enthusiasm
he felt for America had steadily in
creased.
you may talk about romantic Lon
don" ho said TO his friend Jack Stan
field. but ] tell you II doesn't begin
20 compare with this city. With US
the improbable is a possibility; with
you it is q fixed condition"
He passed into the street and start
ed walking at brisk rate in the d.
rectIon OF Madison square.
Now here. for example" he said,
hating and looking up at the electric
lights which cleaned through the
thick foliage Of the trees-"here is the
very deuce OF romance; a primeval
forest within the city's heart. Who
knows but that any moment some
thing may happen-yes, even an adj
Yenture?"
Just then he bumped into a pedeS-
trian. and turning, perceived that
this was Jack Stanfield himself.
It's begun" said Jocelyn solemnly.
What's begun" asked Stanfeld ir-
ritably
"What?" repeated Jocelyn. why.
my adventure. Come along. Jack;
fate had evidently decreed that we are
TO share ii in company"
I'm in no mood for adventures, "
said his friend shortly. I'm going
home"
And ] am going home. toto your
home answered Jocelyn gayly, TAX.
ing him by the arm.
Look here" said Stanfeld, Olsen.
FaGing himself suddenly when they
had proceeded some distance in ST.
l,uce. Il don't feel well. I'm going to
bed. I'm sick"
Lord Jocelyn's heart was a soft one
and felt genuinely concerned.
Then III come in and doctor you,
he said. ITS the grippe you've got
Eyerybodys got It. Now Wen stop al
drug store and get some mustard
plasters. and as soon as you're in bee
I'll put one on your chest and an
other"
60, the devil!" said Stanfield explo
sively. See here JoCelyn. I'll tell you
the truth. The fact Is. don't want {,
see "nybody. I'm leaving town 10
night, and what's more. l don't know
when ! shall be back"
I'm leaving town also-with you,
said Jocelyn. It's no use talking
Jack. Much as ] hate TO intrude upoi
your thoughts. fate sent me out 70
night 70 have an adventure. and yor
are obviously destined to bring 1t 4
me"
Stauheld stood stock still upon III
sidewalk and regarded his friend u1
certainly. Then he thRwed out.
Il do seem inhOspitable. old mar
don't u" he said. But the fact /
I'm in a deuce OF a fix. I'm going I
be married tomorrow"
All, no wonder you're leaving towI
Honey running away?"
Come up 10 my rooms and I'll te
you Stanh,ld answered. I'm /
trouble. Dick and ! want q friend
want him badly"
JO,elyn accompanied him and Ii
friends walked on in silence. Presen
y they stopped at an oldfashione
house on quiet stree; leading out {
Filth avenue. 10 had been built befor
the day Of the elevator. but. once III
climb up the dark stairway was col
clu4ed. JGCelyn entered a spaciou
oak paUclled room that would hay
ehaugd many an abode in ihe new
sUuptggus apartment houses tEi
have sprung up Of later years in fasI
ionable residential quarters. II
floor was just now strewn with perso1
al belongings in the shape OF boob
and articles Of attire. while other
bulged out c. two gaping suitcases.
Sit down. Dick" said Standeld. Fl
dicating a chair. There's whisky
help yourself There are ciga
cites Now hear me. old man, and Il
TIE Lord sake, help me-"
JoCelyn sat down obediently. He Il
tened avidly for he sensed the IA
that his adventure had begun.
I'm engaged 70 be married. b
friend commenced Her name
though that isn't important-is Eilee
Eileen O'Counor. the daughter OF u
rich lumber merchant who died Ia
winter. You know herr"
I've heard Of her." Lord Jocely
answered.
Il thought you knew her By the WI
you pricked up your ears. Well. liste
Dick. We met last year az the Sc
shore Iss fStheI took violent ave