Rock Island Argus., 1913-09-10

that painter woman. by the way; l
told Katherine she was. Say, gentle
men, we'll stand by Mrs. Medcroft,
won't we? Count me in. If it's any
thing that money can square I'm here
with letter of credit six figures long"
Join u.s." said Odell-Carney warmly.
You're a good sort. after all"
They sat down at a table. Freddie
stood between them, a hand on the
shoulder of each. Very seriously he
was saying:
II say. gentlemen. we can't abandon
a woman at a time like this. We must
stand together. All true sports and
black sheep should stand together.
don't you know"
1t is possible that Odell-Carney ap-
preciated the subtIety of this compli-
ment. Not so Mr.. Rodney.
Sports? Black sheep? Upon my
soul. sir. don't understand you" be
mumbled. Mr.. Rodney. although he
hailed from Seattle had never known
anything but a clean and unrumpIed
conscience.
Freddie clapped him jovially on the
!
III take your word for it, But if we
are black sheep we shan't be black
guards. Wen stand by the ship.
what's TO be done? Bail 'em out?''
Mrs. Medcroft despite Mrs. Odell-
Carney's friendly Offices refused point
blank 10 discuss the situation. She did
not dare to do or say anything ss yet.
Her husband had not teleGraphed the
word releasing her from the sorry com
pact She loyalty decided to stand by
the agreement no matter what the cost
until she received word from London
that he had triumphed or failed in his
brave fight against the ''bloOdsuckcrs" 4"
Il will explain tomorrow. dear Mrs
OdeIl-Carney." she pleaded Don't
press me now. Everything shall he all
right. Oh. how wish Constance We're
here. She understands. But she's off
listening to silly love talk and doesn't
even care what happens to me Bur
ton. will you be good enough to spank
Tootles if she doesn't stop that scream
inG?"
By o'clock that night every one
, was discussing the significant disap-
(
fraudulent husband of Mrs Medcroft.
Just as Mr.. ll-Carney was prepar-
ing 10 announce to the unfortunate
wife that the couple had eloped in the
most cOwardly fashion. Miss Fowler
herself appeared on the scene dis
heveled. mud spattered and hot. but
with a look of firm determination in
her face. She burst in upon her sister.
very angry young person indeed.
Are we alonc?" demanded Miss
Fowler. not giving Edith time to pro-
claim her Joy at seeing her. We'll,
I've arranged a way to get him out"
she went on. her lips set,
'Out?' murmured Mrs. Medcroft.
"Of course. We can't let him stay
in there all night. Edith How much
money have you? Hurry up, please!
: Don't starer'
! ''In where? Who's in where?"
Hes in jailr" with supreme scorn.
, Haven't you heard?
5 Mrs. Medcroft began TO cry. "Mr.
, Brock in Jail? Good heavens. what
D shall l do? II was depending on
him so much. He ought to be here at
doingY'
Edith Mederoft. stop shifting and
don't think Of yourself for awhile 1t
will do you a great deal of good.
Where's your money!"
Il have a little over 1000 crowns, -
Edith murmured helplessly.
Give it me. quick. There's no time to
waste. ! have about 5000 It's all in
notes. thank heaven. II isn't quite
enough, but I'll try to make it do.
Don't stop me, Edith. / haven't time
, to answer questions. He's in Jail,
, didn't you hear me say? And love
. ! him.
But the-the money. Is it to bail
him out WITH
Bail? No, my dear. it's to buy him
out with. Sh, Is there any one in
that room? Well. then. I'll tel! you
, something" The heads of the two sis
ters were quite close together. He's
| in a cell at the-the prison hof. OF
} whatever you call it in German. It's
Jail in English. | have arranged tC
bribe one OF the jaiIers-his guard
He Will let him escape for 1000C
crowns. We must do ii. Edith. Then
Mr.. Brock will ride over the Brennel
pass and catch a train somewhere be
/ fore his escape is discovered. ex
} pect TO meet him in Paris day after to
morrow. Have you heard from Rox
} bury"
? NO" walled Roxbury's wife.
Hes a brute"' stormed Miss FoE,
Ter.
Constance" lared Mrs. Medcroft
, aghast at this sign of Iese majesty.
; Don't tel! anybody" called Con
4 stance as she banged the door behinC
= her
z Soon after midnight a closely veiIef
e lady drove mp to a street corner adia
, cent to the city prison. 4 dnlorous looz
: ing building which Inomed 10 still anc
. nenacing just ahead. She alichtes
and. dismissing the cab. strode of
quickly into the side street. At a dis