Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-18

eTSOn, thus met, sCaFeQ IOr moment
at the vision before him, then slowly
and with effort Withdrawing his gaze.
he sought the face of Mr.. Challoner
with the first sign OF open disturb
ance that gentleman had ever seen IN
him.
Am I in Oswald Brotherson's
house, he asked. 81 was directed
here. But possibly there may be
some mistake?"
"It is here he Hves," said she, NOV
ing back automatically till she stood
again by the threshold Of the small
room in which she had received Mr.
ChaAoner DO you wish to see him
tonight? II so, fear It is impossible.
He has been very Ill and is not al
lowed to receive visits from
strangers"
81 am not 4 stranger" announced
the newcomer, with smile few could
see unmoved. It offered such a con-
trast to his stem and dominating fig
ure. Il thought 1 heard some words
Of recognition which would prove your
knowledge OF that fact"
She did not answer. Her lips had
parted, but her thought or at least the
expression OF her thought hung sus-
pended in the terror of this meeting
He seemed to note this terror, wheth-
er or not he understood it's cause, and
smiled again, as he added:
''Mr. Brotherson must have spoken
Of his brother Orlando. am he, Miss
Scott VIII you let me come in now? PEE
Her eyes sought those Of Mr.. ChaL
homer, who quietly nodded. Immedf
ately she stepped from before the door
which her figure had guarded and,
Mr.. Challoner, with an implortng look,
/ to sustain her in the interview she
| saw before her. He had no desire for
this encounter, especially as Mr..
/ Brotherson's glance IN his direction
/ had been anything but conciliatory.
! He was quite convinced that nothing
was 10 be gained by It, but he could
not resist her appeal, and followed
them into the little room whose Inn
tied dimensions made the tall Orlando
look bigger and stronger and more
lordly in his self-conidence than ever.
81 am sorry it is so late" she began,
contemplating his intrusive figure
with forced composure. We have to
be very quiet in the evenings so as
not to disturb your brothers first
sleep which is of great Importance to
him"
Then I'm not to see him tonight"
Il pray you to wait. He's-he's been
very sick man"
Dangerously so?''
Eyes"
Orlando continued to regard heI
with peculiar awakening gaze, show
ing, Mr. Challoner thought, moro in
terest in her than IN his brother. and
when he spoke 1t was mechanically
pr1eties OF the occasion.
81 did rot know he was III till very
lately. His last letter was a Cheerful
one, and l supposed that all was right
TIL chance revealed the truth. / came
on at once. ! was intending to come
anyway. | have business here, as yor
probably know, Miss Scott"
She shook her head 81 know verJ
little about business" said she
My brother has not told you why
he expected me?"
He has not even told me that h
expected you"
} MOI" The word was highly ex
pressive; there was surprise in 1t anc
touch OF wonder, but more than all
satisfaction. Oswald was Away
close-mouthed," he declared. It's
good fault; I'm obliged to the boy"
These last words were uttered will
a lightness which imposed upon hi
two highly egitated hearers, causing
? Mr. Challoner to frown and Doris Il
: shrink back in Indignation at the mai
} who could indulge in a sportive sug
EestiOn in presence of such fears, 1
not of such memories, as the situation
: evoked
/ THE hour is late for further cor
versation. / have a room at the hote
= and will return to it at once. In tn
3 morning hope to see my brother"