Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-11

the resorts of the border states were /
well stocked with guests. The rock /
ing chair brigade-as those ladies who
daily occupy the porch OF the Nieude-
leau hotel. each and all plying some !
kind of needle as an accompaniment
to their melodious gossiping voices
was in session. Two ladies sitting
somewhat apart from the rest were
engaged in earnest conversation In a
low tone.
al sympathize with you, Mrs. Har-
per-" said the one. but don't see how
can help you. My son is actively en-
gagged In business and can't be away
from 1t at this season more than few
days at a time. Could he be here with
! US, say. for a fortnight l would be
glad to lend him to you for the purpose
of drawing your daughters attention
from this young Ruggles, who you
fear will win her. There Is another
course l will suggest A young man
has Just arrived who has entered his
name on the hotel register as Edward
| Cation. Being the only young fellow
Of prepossessing appearance (Ruggles
| excepted in the hotel, he will soon be
| besieged by the girls. II you like
! will make his acquaintance, introduce
| him to your daughter telling him she
Is the belle of the place., and she will
naturally be interested in taking him
! away from the others. This will serve
! to divert her mind from Ruggles and
| make a breach between them. But
why do you object to Ruggles? He Is
said to have an income of $4,000"
MY dear Mrs Crawford, what would
5000 a year be for GwenT
What you wish presume is simply
| to break off her affair with Ruggles,
that she may be free to marry a for
tune"
Precisely. II you can accomplish
this break by introducing any one-no
matter who he isl will consider my
self under a lasting obligation to you"
The same evening the Introduction
was accomplished. Gwendolen Harper
and Edward Cation were introduced,
and before the guests left the dancing
hall in the evening Mrs. Crawford
said to Mrs. Harper:
did you ever see such a remarkable
case Of love at first sight?"
All the parties to this scheme were
pleased except Sam Ruggles, who went
Off to the far end of the veranda and
scowled and smoked and smoked and
scowled, keeping by himself where he
could not see his rivals success lest he
should make a scene.
But on the third day after the break
had been made effective, when Mr..
Ruggles was reading a northern news
paper, he saw something that thrilled
him. 1t was an advertisement of Mrs
Edward L. Cation for information con,
corning her husband. who had deserted
her and their three children. :. Ruggles
Immediately cut the ad. out of the news
I paper that he alone Of those at the no
tel might possess this information and
that he might consider plan by which
he could get the greatest satisfaction
out of it.
The same evening an anonymous let
ter went to the advertiser that a gen
tleman had appeared at the Vieudeleau
hotel at - answering to the name
mentioned in the advertisement. Rug
giles, who mailed the letter, could not
refrain from adding that the fellow
was evidently bent on committing big
amy"
From the time the discarded Lover
saw the evidence that his rival was
sailing under false colors he changed
his bearing toward Miss Harper
Where before he had made his jeal
ousy evident he now assumed an air OF
superiority mingled with pity. Mr.
Cation had become aware that his at
tentions to Miss Harper had made Mr.
: Ruggles his enemy and had noticed tn,
antagonism of the latter's bearing TO
ward him whenever they met Ont
evening while Mr.. Cation was dancinl
with Miss Harper he unintentionally
ran against Ruggles. who was alst
dancing. The look Ruggles gave hin
was Ominous. Later. when both wen
j out on the veranda for a Whit at
cigarette, Cation stepped up to Rugglei
and apologiZed for running against hin
in the dance.
"One who is sailing under false col
ors is beneath my notice for any In
suit" was the reply.
How did you get onto that?" asked
g Cation with surprising imperturbability
Il saw 1t In the newspapers"
81 wish the newspapers would let m,
alone" was the only rejoinder, anC
o Cation went back into the dancing hall
a where Ruggles soon saw him whirinj
with Miss Harper.
Now, the only real attachment in thi
triangular affair was between San
Ruggles and Gwen Harper. and from
the time Ruggles began to assume tina
air Of superiority Gwen began to b.
troubled. She was too proud to cal
him back, but she looked as II sh
would be willing to take him back 1
he would apply for reinstatement On
/. day when they met in the garden o
the hotel she remarked that 1t was
n pleasant day.
81 think IL will storm tomorrow o
next day" was the reply.
why. see no indications Of H."
,, Perhaps If you watch the incoming
=. trains you'll see thunder cloud com
ing"
You speak in riddles"
He could not longer keep his secreI