Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-10-25


decided that a certain General Hast
ings would make an excellent sacrifice
on the altar of justice-and to her own
financial profit. The old man was
notorious roue. of most unSavory rep
utation as destroyer of innocence
1t was probable that he would easily
fall victim to the ingenious charms
of Aggie. As for that precocious dam
sci. she would run no least risk of de-
truction by the satyr.
General Hastings met Aggie in the
most casual way. He was captivated
by her freshness and beauty, her de-
mureness, her ignorance of all things
vicious. Straightway he set snares.
He showered every gallant attention
on the naive, bread and butter miss
and succeeded gratifyingiy soon in
winning her heart-to all appearance
But he gained nothing more. for the
coy creature abruptly developed most
effective powers of resistance to every
Establishment that went beyond strict
est propriety. His ardor cooled sud
denly when Harris served a summons
in suit for $4,000 damages for
breach of promise.
Even while this affair was still IN
the course of execution Mary found her,
self engaged in n direction that offered
at least the hope of attaining her great
desire-revenge against Edward Gil.
der. This opportunity came in the
person of his son, Dick. After much
contriving. she got an introduction to
that young man. Forthwith she show
ed herself so deliciously womanly. SO
intelligent. so daintily feminine, SO
singularly beautiful that the young
man was enamored almost at once
The fact thrilled Mary to the depths
of her heart. for in this son of the man
whom she hated she saw the instru
ment of vengeance for which she had
so longed. Yet this one thing was SC
vital to her that she said nothing OF
her purposes, not even to Aggie
though that observant person may
have possessed suspicious more or less
near the truth.
1t was some such suspicion that lay
behind her speech as, in negligee. she
sat smoking n cigarette. while watch
ing Mary. who was adjusting her hal
before the mirror of her dressing table
one pleasant spring morning.
"Dollin' up a whole lot. amt your
Aggie remarked nffably, with that lax
ity of language which characterized
her natural moods.
II have a very important engage
ment with Dick Glider" Mary replied
TRANQUILITY.
mice boy, amt her Aggie ventur
ed insinua tingly
"Oh, suppose So" came the indif
ferent answer from Mary as she tilted
the picture hat TO an angle a trif'
more jaunty.
81 don't get you. Mary. You ncve
used to look at the men. The way 20,
acted when you first run round Will
me. | thought you sure was sui
fragette. And then you met thi
young Gilder-and-good night, nurse,
WELL"
His old man sends you up for
stretch for something you didn't dc
and you take up with his son like
And yet you don't understand!
There was scorn for such gross stupid
ity in the musical voice.
Aggie choked little from the cigar
cite smoke as she gave n gasp whel
suspicion. OF the truth suddenly dawn
ed on her slow intelligence.
"HulIy gee.'' Her voice came In
treble shrek Of apprehension. I'm
WISE
But you must understand this.
Mary went on. with an AUTHORITATIVE
note in her voice. Whatever may b
between young Glider and me is TO b
strictly my own affair II has abso
lutely nothing to do with the rest o
you or with our schemes for none.
making. And. what is more. Agnes.
want to know what you meant b.
talking in the public street yesterda,
| with n common pickpocket.''
Aggie's childIike face changed swift
[ ly its expression from a sly eagernes!
/ to sullenness.
"You know perfectly well. Mary Tur
ner, she cried Indignantly, that
only said a few words In passin' e
T my brother Jim. And he amt no com
mon pickpoeket Hully gee. Hes tn
/ best dip IN the business"
"But you must not be seen speakin
with him." Mary directed. with a ceI
tain air OF command nov become bs
bitual to her among the members c
her clique. MY cousin. Miss Agne
/ I.yncn, must be very careful as IN he