Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-07-30

that poor girls reputation. insist
mother. that you put stop to such
rash proceedings. I'll make myself
personally responsible for that girls
honesty"
We'll. of course, Tryon. IL you wish
it" said his mother, with anxious
hesitation.
Il certainly do wish It, mother. /
shall take 1t as personal IL anything is
done in this matter without consulting
me. Remember, Cornelia, will not
have any trifiing. A girls reputation
is certainly worth more than several
hats and raincoats, and know she has
not taken them"
He walked from the dining room and
from the house in angry dignity, to
the establishment OF his mother and
sister. to whom he was usually cour-
tesy itself.
Tryon Durham took his way to his
office much perturbed in mind. Per
plexities seemed to be thickening
about him. With the dawn of the morn
ing had come that sterner common
sense which told him he was a fool for
having taken up with a strange young
woman on the street, who was SO evil
IDENTIFY flying from justice.
All, the ringi A sudden warm thrill
shot through him, and his hand
searched his vest pocket, where he
had hastily put the jewel before leav.
| ing his room. That was something
tangible. He could at least know what
1t was worth, and so make sure once
for all whether he had been deceived
The stone seemed to be OF unusual
beauty and purity, but he would ster
into the diamond shop as he passed
and make sure. He had friend there
who could tell him all about it.
After the morning greeting, he hand
ed over his ring.
This belongs to a friend of mine,
he said, trying to look unconcerned. 81
should like to know If the stone IL
genuine, and about what it is worth.
His friend took the ring and retired
behind curious little instrument 70,
the eye, presently emerging with re-
epectful look upon his face.
Your friend is fortunate to have
such beautiful stone. 1t is UNUSUAL,
clear and white, and exQuisitely cut.
should say 1t was worth at least"-ht
paused and then named a sum which
startled Durham. even accustors ed a!
he was to counting values in high fig
ures. He took the jewel back with
kind OF awe. Where had his mysteri
Gus lady acquired this wondrou
bauble which she had tossed to him TO
a trifie? In a tumult of feeling, h,
went on, to his Office more perplexe,
than ever.
Meantime, the girl who was speeding
along toward Chicago had not forgot
ten him. She could not If she would
for all about her were reminders O
him. The conductor took charge O
her ticket. telling her in his gruf
kind way what time they would al
rive in the city. The porter was Sc
licitous about her comfort, the news
boy brought the latest magazines an,
box Of chocolates and laid them a
her shrine with a smile of admiration
and the words, 9TH g'n1mun sen
'em!"
BY and by. che opened the suitcase
half doubtfully, feeling that she wa
almost intruding upon another's pos
sessions.
There we're a dress suit and
change OF fine linen, handkerchief:
neckties. a pair of gloves, a soft, blac
felt negligee hat folded, a large blac
silk muffier. a bathrobe, and the usua
silver-mounted brushes, combs an
other toilet articles She looked ther
over in business-like way, trying t
see how she could make use OF then
Removing her hat, she covered It wit
the silk mufler, to protect 1t fro1 dus
Then she took of her dreYs an
wrapped herself IL the soft bathrob,
wondering as she did so at her willin,
ness to put on a strangers garment
Somehow. in her brief acquaintanc
with this man, he had impressed he
with his own pleasant fastidiousnes
60 that there was kind OF pleasure 1
using his things, as If they had bee
those of valued friend.
3 She touched the electric button thu
controlled the lights in the,little apar
! ment, and lay down in the darknef
n to think out her problem of the ne
3 life that lay before her.