Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-10-22

As for her being with Brown. why.
that was all right If she wanted 10.
he told himself with sickly smile.
She knew the Browns well. and 1t was
very likely an accident that she and
Brown had met in time for dinner
All this argument was perfectly RE
diculous in the face OF the fact that
he knew Cynthia detested the Browns
heartily and that she was not in the
habit of dressing herself in an elabo-
rate gown and happening to meet mas
culine friends in fashionable restau-
rants. Moreover. at this hour Cynthia
Hardness was more likely to be at
home preparing modest dinner or
playing Chopin in the parlor of their
little tat.
Still. there she was, and who corld
explain it?
We'll. Hardness. don't know wheth-
er you're married or not. but IL you're
not you certainly must be dead in
love" laughed Mr., Faushaw at last.
why's" asked Ned. startled.
Nothing. only you've called me
Cynthia three times"
II was thinking of my wife"
You're excused" smiled his guest,
but Ned was careful after that to keep
his wandering thoughts in check.
When they had concluded the meal
they arose from the table just in time
to see James Brown and his fair COM
panion leave the restaurant BY the
time they had reached the lobby of tho
hotel the pair had entered a taxicab
ard were driven away.
There goes my IDEAL" mumured
Fanshaw lightly as they paused at the
cigar stand.
Ned was silent In one brief hour
the whole course of his life had
changed. He would so home and
face Cynthia and then tell her that IL
she was weary of him he would go
away and efrace himself from her
sight forever. He had an uncle who
was missionary in central China, and
there was a wide field for laborers
there.
Merged as ne was in these gloomy
medltations. it is not strange that Mr..
Fanshaw excused himself on plea OF
an enga gement and went Off to spend
the evening in a music hall
Ned plunged into the nearest subway
station and went home.
1t might be hours before Cynthia
came home, and then again she might
arrive within an hour, especially IL she
feared Ned's disapproval of her action
in dining with Brown.
He climbed the stairs to the third
floor of their modest apartment house
and turned the key in the hall door.
A dim light burned there. as usual.
the faint red glow that always well
coined him home.
There was n busy cumming sound
from the dining room. dear familiar
sound that be couid not associate with
the wearer of the blue gown and the
big black hat.
Tie sound belonged distinctly to
Cynthia. his dear. busy little wife.
1t was nothing less than Cynthia's
sewing machine whirring away.
He pushed open the door and looked
in. pale and haggard with his even
ing's dread.
The sewing machine was pushed nm.
der the central light. and at 1t sat Gym
thia In her little blue house gown
stitching merrily away at breadths of
misty blue satin. deep rose color
stained her cheeks. and her dark
brown hair curled distractiDgly around
her pretty ears.
why. Ned" she cried delightedly.
Now. don't be cross. dear. but I've
confession to make"
81 can guess what 1t is" said Ned
grimly.
Then you've been spying. and it's
not fair" she pouted. 81 thought II
was a great surprise"
THE biggest surprise ever had" re-
torted Ned.
let me explain. You see. got to
thinking about the price Of that bless
ed blue gown. and | knew ! could du-
plicate 1t for one quarter of the price.
Miss Cassidy will come tomorrow and
help me. And so. when Mrs. Brown
came this morning and fell in love
with 1t and wanted TO buy IL. why.
Just let her do IT, But ! told her
was going to duplicate It. but she
doesn't care. for she isn't going TO
wear it at the same places | shall wear
mine She said they were going to
dine at the Humboldt. BY the way,
dearie. did you have a good timer
Cynthia got up and tucked her hand
in his arm
Fine time" he said hoarseIy. "Cyn-
thia. dear. | don't mind about your
changing the gown. You are such n
darling! How am ! ever going TO
make up to you for what you are to
me?"
Cynthia smiled demurely.
We'll. the next time you dine Mt the
Humboldt and see the Browns don't
be Jealous Of me. Ned. Maybe Mrs.
Brown just went there out of mischief
to bewilder you with that blue gown.
told her you were going there To.
night"