Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-10-24

Roland" Ponty whirled Dicks tall
form about and steered him toward a
nearby doorway where a fashionable
photographer displayed portraits i'll
glass frames.
This is she-way down in this cor
ner-too obscure n situation for Il beau
~ like the future Mrs. Dupont" rat
tied Ponty, pointing his cane at Gym
thia Ludlow's lovely face.
Dicks heart contracted, leaped and
stood still. 1t was only last night that
he had asked Cynthia to marry him.
and she had half promised. He had no
doubt that she would have been wholly
his had not their tete a tete been in
terrupted. At this moment he was on
his way to call upon Cynthia and get
her answer. and-it could not be that
she had been engaged to Ponty Roland
all the while
We'll. isn't she n beauty?" demand
ed Ponty inquisitively.
Very lovely. Ponty." said Dick at
last. and his voice sounded very tired
Miss Ludlow is as charming as she
is beautiful. and you are to be con
graduated" He held out his hand.
and Ponty laughed lightly as he shook
it airily.
BE my best man. Dick" he urged
as they went into the street again.
Thanks. Ponty. but won't be
here" said Dick with vague look in
his eyes. He was sure he could per
suade his father to let him have the
management of the Berlin office.
where you going"
Germany. See you later" and Dick
disappeared without further cere-
mony.
What's the matter with the young
ster?' demanded Ponty of himself as
he continued on his way to his club.
Cynthia Ludlow asked herself the
same question as she waited for Dick
10 appear at the appointed time. As
the clicked licked the minutes past 4
her Impotence gave way TO indiEna-
ton and was followed by uneasiness.
He must have meant it," she as
sured herself with trembling lips
Dick isn't that sort. ! would have
said yes at once last night, only
sOmehOw-he hurried me sor A dim.
pie played in her pink cheek for mo
ment AS she remembered the blissful
tete tete Of the previous evening.
He said he would come. and | know
he will" she comforted herself
But Dick didn't come.
Cynthia met him the following even
ing Mt a little dance in the house of
his aunt. She thought he looked very
white and i'll. but by no outward sign
did she display the slightest interest IN
him. When he approached her aud
asked her to dance she bowed coldly
and displayed her overflowing card.
II have been waiting for an oppor-
tunity to offer my best wishes muir
INJURED Dick unsteadiIy. "Ponty is a
fine fellow"
Before Cynthia could answer some
one rushed mp and swept her away
without ceremony. and Dicks last
sight OF her face showed it a vari-
ETY. Of emotions-surprise, bewilder-
ment and anger. As she was whirled
into the midst Of the dancers Dick
found his hat and Overcoat and went
away.
Two Gays later cynthia read Ia the
paper that Dick had gone TO Germany
to assume management of the Berlin
office of Morton & Blank. She had
presence of mind not 10 faint until she
reached her own room. and as she had
/ left the newspaper in the library be
low no one placed any connection be
tween the two.
Cynthia had regained her color and
animation by the time somebody in
/ troduced Dupont Roland 10 her. long
after Dick had reached Berlin.