Rock Island Argus., 1913-09-06
CHAPTER XII.
~ do love you."

CHAPTER XII.
~ do love you"
AN EANTfME telegram had pre-
EWH ceded lengthy letter into the |
NE department Of the police both |
directed to Herr Bauer. who |
in reality was James Citizens of Scot
land Yard. The telegram had said:
why do you say NJ. is there? He is
in London. Explain. Letter tomor-
row." The letter had come, and Mr..
Citizens as well as the local police Of
fee was ''bowled over" to express it in
Scotland Yard English. He had wired
his employers that M. is still in Inns
bruck. Cannot be in London" 1t was
very. clearly set forth in the letter that
Roxbury Medcroft was in London and
that Mr.. Citizens of Scotland Yard had
betrayed his trust. He was virtually
charged with playing into the hands of
the enemy-''selling out" as it were.
1t readily may be expected that Mr..
Citizens was accused of being in the
employ of the opposition" Moreover.
it is but reasonable to assume that he
took vigorous steps at once to yindi-
cate himself. which accounts for the
woe that Iurked close behind the heels
of man named Brock.
Brock and Constance had ridden off
that afternoon TO visit the historic
Schloss Ambras. The great castle had
been saved for the very last of their
explorations. He had just been able
to secure permission 10 visit that part
of the dukes residence open on certain
occasions to the curious public. Edith
had declined to accompany them. In
the first place. she was expecting the
all important message from her hus-
band. She was ION nettleS." to quote
her plaintive eagerness. In the second
place. she realized that as the crisis
was at hand IN the affairs of Brock
and Constance her presence was not
necessary adjunct. Not only was she
expecting a message from Roxbury.
but eagerly anticipating an outburst of
joyous news from the two who had, it
seemed. very gladly left her behind.
The young couple returning by the
! lower road from the schloss came to
| resting place at little eating house
and garden on the hillside overlooking
the river inn. 1t is a quiet. demure.
unfrequented place among the crags.
standing in from the white roadway a
hundred feet or more. clouded by
| gorgeous trees and somber cliffs. 1t
was to this charming. romantic retreat
that Brock led his fair, now tremulous
| inamorata. She. too. knew that the
hour for decision had come. 1t was in
the air, in the CLINT Of his eyes. in the
leaping of her heart. And she knew
what she would say 70 him and what
they would say to the world a few
hours hence. The mountains seemed
to have lost their splendid frown.
They were beaming down upon her.
tenderly caressing instead of bleak and
foreboding as they always had been
before.
A rosy checked girl came into the
garden to serve them. Swift. cool
breezes were scurring down the valley.
bearing In their wdke the soft rain
clouds that were soon to drench the
earth and then radiantly pass on. They
were quite alone. seated in the shelter
|
soft, green darkness was creeping over
the mountain side. pregnant with smell
Of the shower.
Constance ordered tea and a bite Of
something II eat for both. Brooks
gaze never left her exquisite face
, while she was engaged In the pretty
but rather self conscious occupation
. Of instructing the waitress. After the
. girl had departed. he leaned forward
across the little table and said. trihe
, hoarsely and disjointedly:
at was most appetizing to watch
you do that could live forever on
nothing but tea and sandwiches IL you
were to order them"
; You've said a great many silly
r things to me this afternoon"
'T wonder''-he stopped and lowered
I bis voice-'I wonder II you would ccl
' 1t silly IL / were TO tell you that lov
: you. very. very much" His glove.
hand dropped upon hers as she fun
, bled aimIessly with the menu card
something In the very heIplessness o
Z that long. slim hand drew the strengt
!. of all his love toward it-all Of thi
7 confident. arrogant love that had com
= to be so sure of itself in these las
/ days. His gray eyes. dark with tn
purpose of his passion, took on a ney
b and impeliing glow: she looked int
!. them for an instant. the waverin
g smile Of last resort on her parted lips
9 then her lids d,spped quickly and he
4 lip trembled.
e Z should st1l think you very stlly.