Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-06

corners, ruQe IdDl6 Oh WHICH were /
writing materials and some books.
A row Of curtained shelves, evidently |
made Of small boxes and surmounted |
by a mirror, occupied another space. |
There were two or three chairs, the |
handiwork OF the owner, comfortable |
enough in spite Of their rude construc- |
ton. On some other pegs hung
slicker and a sou'wester, a fur over
coat, a fur cap and other rough clothes;
pair of heavy boots stood by the
fireplace. On another shelf there were
a number Of scientific instruments, the
nature Of which she could not deter
mine, although she could see that they
were all in q beautiful state Of pres
ervation.
There was plenty Of rude comfort in
the room, which was excessively man
nish. In fact, there was nothing any
where which in any way spoke Of the
existence of woman-except a picture
in a small, rough, wooden frame which
stood on the table before which she
sat down. The picture was Of hand
some woman-naturally Enid Maitland
saw that before anything else. She
would not have been a woman If that
had not engaged her attention more
forcibly than any other fact in the
room. She picked It up and studied
II long and earnestly, quite uncon-
scious Of the reason for her interest.
and yet q certain uneasy feeling might
have warned her Of what was toward
In her bosom.
This young woman had not yet had
time to get her bearings. She had not
been able to realize all the circum-
stances OF her adventure. So soon as
she did SO she would know that into
her life a man had come. and what
ever the course Of that life might be
In the future, he would never again
| be out OF it.
/ 1t was therefore with mingled and
untranslatable emotions that she stud
/ led this picture She marked with a
certain resentment the bold beauty
quite apparent, despite the dim fading
outlines Of a photograph never very
good. SO far as she could discern, the
woman was dark haired and dark eyed
her direct antithesis! The casual
viewer would have found little of fault
In the presentment, but Enid Matt
lands eyes were sharpened by what,
pray? At any rate. she decided that
the woman was Of a rather coarse
aber, that in things finer and higher
she would be found wanting. She was
such a woman, so the girl reasoned
acutely, as might inspire a passionate
affection in a strong hearted, reckless
youth, but whose charms being large
ly physical, would pail in longer and
more intimate association; a danger
Gus rival in a charge, but not SO for
midable in a steady campaign.
These thoughts were the result Of
long and earnest inspection, and 1t
was with some reluctance that the girl
at last put the photograph aside and
looked toward the door. She was hun
cry, ravenously so. She began to be
little alarmed, and had just about
made up her mind to rise and STUN.
BILE out as she was, when she heard
steps outside and a knock on the
door.
What is it?" she asked in response
May come IMP"
Yes" was the quick answer.
I The man opened the door, left II
ajar and entered the room.
Have you been awake long?" he
began abruptly.
, Not very"
81 didn't disturb you, because 20,
, needed sleep more than anything else
, How do you feel?"
Greatly refreshed, thank you"
: And hungry, suppose?"
2 Very"
+ 81 will soon remedy that. You
I toot?"
1T seems much better, but L"
: The girl hesitsted, blushing. II can
r get my shoe on, and"
t Shall / have another look at it?
1 mo, don't believe 1t will be neces
{ sary. II l may have some Of that lin.
: ment, or whatever it was you put o.
1t, and more Of that bandage, 1 thin
. / can attend to it myself, but, you set
4 my stockings and my boot"
. The man nodded; he seemed to VI
b derstand. He went to his cracker DO
I chiffonier and drew from II lonl
r coarse wooden stocking.
Q That is the best that I can do fc
It you" he said.
ID And that will do very nicely" sal
the girl 1T will cover the bandag
le and that is the main thing"
4 The man laid on the table by Ii
" side OF the stocking another strip
10 bandage torn from the same sheet. A
ie be did so, he noticed the picture. Il
ie caught It up quickly, q dark fius
T. spreading over his face, and holdiI
ie II in his hand, he turned abrupt
e. away.
ie II will 20 and cook you some brea
70 fast while you get yourself ready.
4 you have not washed, you'll find
Id bucket OF water and q basin and tow
OF outside the door"
He went through the inner door
ie suddenly as he had come through Z
he outer one. He was man Of few worC
a and whatever social grace he mig
lie once have possessed. and in more (
a vorsble circumstances exhibited, "
W not noticeable now. The tenderne
ne with which he had caressed her I
re night before had also vanished.
rs His bearing had been cool, almC