Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-07-26
bho MYSTERY
Of MARY :
Grace Livingston Hill Lutz
AUTHOR Ct MARCIA ScHUYlER@" .@PHorBE DIANE =
DAM OF TIL MORNING" ETC.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF NA/ WHkT=H5
: NW WHkT=R5
"PHOEBE DIANE"
c0STRGHZ M, q

to have a friend like you," said the
girl, and there was something in the
eyes that were raised to his that
made the Judges heart glow with
Thank you" said re warmly.
THAT is most kind of you. But per
haps she has found better friend by
this time. / hope So"
"Or one as Kind" she suggested in
a low voice.
The conversation then became gen.
eral, and the girl did not look up for
several seconds; but the young man
on her right, who had not missed a
word OF the previous tete-a-tete, could
not give attention to the story Mrs.
Blackwell was telling, for bordering
what he had heard
The ladies now left the table, and
though this was the time that Dun
ham had counted upon for an &C
quaintance with the great judge who
might hold a future career in his
power, he could not but wish that he
might follow them to the other room.
He felt entire confidence IN his new
friends ability to play her part to
the end. but he wanted TO watch her,
to study her and understand her. If
perchance he might solve the mystery
that was ever growing more intense
about her
AS she left the room his eyes fol.
lowed her. His hostess, in passing
behind his chair, had whispered:
y don't wonder you feel so about
her. She Is lovely. But please don't
begrudge her to US for few minutes.
I promise you that you shall have
your innings afterwards"
Then, without any warning and ut.
terly against his will, this young man
of much experience and self-control
blughed furiously, and was glad enough
when the door closed behind Mrs.
Bowman.
Miss Remington walked into the
drawing room with a steady step, but
with rapidly beating heart. Her real
ordeal had now come. She cast about
in her mind for subjects of converse
ton which should forestall unsafe
topics, and intuitively sought the pro
lection of the judges wife. But imme
diately she saw her hostess making
straight for the little Chippendale
chair beside her.
| Ny dear, it is too lovely" she be
gan. so opportune! Do tell me how
long you have known Tryon?"
The girl caught her breath and gath
cred her wits together. She looked III
shyly into the pleasant curious eyes
of Mrs. Bowman. and a faint CLEAN
of mischief came into her face.
why" Her hesitation seemed
/ only natural. and Mrs. Bowman de
cided that there must be something
very special between these two. why
not 50 very long, Mrs. Bowman-no
as long as you have known him." Sh,
finished with a smile which Mrs. Bow
man decided was charming.
"Oh, you sly child" she exclaimed
pIayfully tapping the round cheek witt
her fan. Did you meet him when b
was abroad this summer"
"Oh, no, indeed!" said the CIR
laughing now in spite OF herself. "Ot
no; 1t was after his return"
Then it must have been in tn
Adirondacks," went on the determine
inteTlocutor. Were you at" Blu
the girl interrupted her She could no
afford 10 discuss the Adirondacks, an
the sight of the grand piano acros
the room had given her an idea.
"Mr. Durham told me That 70
would like me to play something 70
you, az your musician friend has faile
you. shall be very glad to, if IL wi
help you any. What do you care for
Something serious or something gay
Are you fond of Chopin. or Beethoven
or something more modern?"
Seeming a possible musical prodig,
and desiring most earnestly to Civ
her guests a treat, Mrs. Bowman e.
claimed in enthusiasm:
"Oh, how lovely OF you! hardI
dared to ask, as Tryon was uncertai
whether you would be willing. Su,
! pose you give US something seriou
now, and later, when the men come il
wen have the gay music. Make yoU
own choice. though I'm very fond {
Chopin, Of course"
Without another word, the ri
moved quietly over to the piano an
took her seat. For just a moment ht
fingers wandered caressingly over Al
keys, as If they were old friends ar
she we're having an understands
with them. then she began a Chop
Nocturne. Her touch was firm and We
vety, and she brought out a bell-lil
tone from the instrument that MAD
the little company OF women reali.
that the player was mistress OF b.
art. Her graceful fingers and love
head, with its simple ripples al
waves of hair, were more noticeab
than ever as she sat there, controllil
the exquisite harmonies. Even Nj
Blackwell stopped tanning and look
interested. Then she whispered
Mrs. Bowman: "a very sweet your
girl. That's a prettySpiece she's pls
!. Ing" Mrs. Blackwell was sweet a.
commonplace and old-fashioned.
Mrs. Parker Bowman sat up with
pink glow IN her cheeks and light
{ her eyes. She began to plan how s.
might keep this acquisition and {
plot her among her friends. It "