Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-03-01

promptly. greatly TO the disgust of my
assistant. who retired to deal with p.
several clients whom | had passed in
the reception room tiercely walking the .
floor.
had ina gined all the suitors eStab-
,ished at the Prescott Arms. As the
three appeared clad in light automobil- .
ing coats could not forbear a smile
at their grim appearance. ShaIlen- .
berger, the novelist. and Ormsby. the
knit goods manufacturer, We're big
men. Dick. the Nebraska philosopher. +.
was much shorter. though OF compact
and sturdy build. They growed surlily
in response TO my greeting. and OrmS-
by closed the door behind them. Dick
seemed to be the designated SpokeS-
man, and he advanced TO the desk be
hind which 1 sat with a stride and
manner that advertised his belliSerent
frame OF mind.
"Mr. Ames," he began. I'VE have
come here to speak for ourselves and
certain other gentlemen who are stay
ing for a time at the Prescott Arms"
Gentlemen Of the committee. wei
come to our Office" replied. greatly
amused by his ferocity.
Ny tone caused the others to draw
in defensively behind him.
We want you to understand that
YOUR conduct in ACCOMPANYING a lady
Inar I shall not name to the city IA
an act we cannot pass in silence. YOU
conduct in going to Hopefeld Mancf
was in itself an anront TO us. but youi
behavior this morning passes all
| bounds. We have come. sir. to de-
mand an explanation
At glance this was a situation l
dare not take seriously.
Mr.. Dick and gentlemen of the COM
mittee, you are meddlesome persons"
said
"Meddlesomew cried Dick heatedly
and leaning toward me across my desk.
DO 1 correctly understand, sir, that
/ you mean to insult usT'
Nothing could be further from my
| purpose. But cannot permit you 60
imagine that I'm going to allow you to
/ beard me IN my office and criticise my
/ conduct in regard to Miss Cecilia Hol-
lister or anybody else. AS a philoso-
/ pher from the fertile corn lands OF Ne
/ braska l salute you with admiration;
| as a critic OF my ways and manners
i show you the door"
This did a bit jauntily. and had a
feeling that l was playing my part
well. But the young man before me
seemed to swell with the rage that
surged within him. He broke out flu
Vt ha afr let.
then he controlled himself with pain
full effort
You insult me. but my personal
grievances must wait" said Dick bro
kenly; but, speaking for the commit
tee, | wish to say that your attentions
to the young lady whom you have
dared, sir, to name are obnoxious TO
u.s.
Nothing less than that" added
Shallenberger.
We will not stand for it," growled
Ormsby's heavy bass.
MIR. Shallenberger." l replied even
ly. "as member of the great Hoosier
school of novelistS | have the most
profound respect for your talents. My
office boy is dead to the world for
weeks after the appearance of novel
from your pen. But your interference
in my private affairs is beyond all rea-
son. And as for you, Mr.. Ormsby, l
dare say your knit goods are worthy Of
the fame of the pentup Utica from
which you come. But to you and all
of you | bid defiance. return 20
Hopefield Manor by the Ala express"
rose and bowed coldly in dismissal,
but the trio stood their ground stub
bornly.
Il tell you. sir, our organization is
completew declared Dick. I'VE sign
ed a gentleman's agreement only last
night for the express purpose Of eS-
Guiding you, ard you cannot enter as IL
competitor. You are only an outsider,
and we don't intend to have you inter
fering with our affairs
BY the pink left ear Of Venus"
bIurted, lis it a trust?"
You put it cOarsely. Mr. Ames,
but
"A suitors' trust? Then, If read the
newspapers correctly. your organiza-
ton is against public policy and IN
Vi IIle lli-lIlSi Id W
But may l inquire why. if you have
perfected a combination OF Miss HOl-
listers suitors, 7 found Lord AFRO
wood this morning sitting on a stone
by the roadside, evidently in the great
est detection. Can II be possible that
an insurgent has crept into your organ
izatton and incurred the displeasure OF
the regulars?'
We ruled him out" ShalIenberger
burst forth. because he was for
eigner and not entitled To a place
among freeborn Americans. That is
one reason, and, for another. the col
Ors of his half hose were an offense
to me personally"
And for another reason" interposed
Ormsby. he had no money with which
TO pay his board at the Prescott Arms
For this just cause the landlord elected
him shortly after breakfast this morn.
ing"
Then there IS already a rift in the
lute"' ! returned. NO trust OF suitors
Is stronger than its weakest link My
hand is raised against your unrighteoUs
Z I In En A1I 81