Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-14

man. accepting the cigar. Thanks
He walked TO the door leading into the
hall and opened IL about foot. u m
afraid" he explained loosely. well
get to talking and miss the breakfast
bell" He dropped into the chair and
lighted his cigar at candle end. say.
YOU never can tell. can you? Climbing
up old Baldpate I thought to myself
that hotel certainly makes the Sahara
desert look like a coZy corner. And
here you are, as snug and comfortable
and at home as IL you were in Har-
lem fat. You never can tell. And
what now? The story of my life:
You might relate" Mr.. Magee told
him. that portion Of it that has led
you trespassing on gentleman seek
ing secIusion at Baldpate inn
'sTrespassing. chg" said the young
man. Far be IL from me to quarrel
with a man who smokes as good
cigars as you do. but there's something
/ haven't quite doped out. That is
who's trespassinC me or you:'
"My right here" said Mr.. Magee, sis
indisputable.'
Its a big word replied the other.
but you can tack IL to my right here
and tell no lie We can't dispute. so
lets drop the matter. With that set
tied I'm encouraged TO pour out the
story OF why you see me here tonight.
far from the madding crowd. Have
you "A stray tear? You'll need it. It's
a sad. touching story. concerned with
haberdashery and a trusting heart.
and 4 fair woman-fair. but. oh. how
false
Proceed" laughed Mr.. Magee. "I'm
an ndmirer OF the vivid Imagination.
Don't curb yours. beg OF you"
Its all straight" said the other in
a hurt tone Every word true. My
name is Joseph Bland. My profession.
until love entered my life. was that
of haberdasher and outfitter. In the
city of Reuton. fifty miles from here.
/ taught the Beau Brummels OF the
thoroughfares what was doing in Lon
don in the necktie line. ! sold them
coats with padded shoulders and col
lars high and awe inspiring. L was
happy, twisting a piece OF silk over
nv hand TO show them how 1t would
look on their heaving bosoms. And
then-she came"
Mr.. Bland pulled on his cigar.
Yes" he said. "Arabella sparkled on
the horizon of my life. When L have
been here in the quiet for about two
centuries. maybe l can do justice to
her beauty. won't attempt to de-
scribe her now loved her-madly.
She said I made a hit with her. /
spent on her the profits of my haber-
dashery. whispered-marriage. She
didn't scream. / had my wedding
necktie picked out from the samples
of Il drummer from Troy
From here on-the tear ! spoke OF.
please. There flashed on the scene a
man she had known and loved in Jer-
sey City. l said flashed. He did-just
that A swell dresser-say. he had
John Drew beat by two mauve neck
ties and purple frock coat l had a
haberdashery back of me. No use.
He outdressed me. ] saw that Arabel-
las love for me was waning. With
his chamois Sloved hands that new
guy famed the ancient fame"
He paused. Emotion-or the smoke
of the cigar-choked him.
Lets make the short story shorter,
he said. she threw me down. In my
ha berdashery 1 thought it over. 1 was
blue. bitter. I resolved on a dreadful
ter and carried it down TO the box and
oosted it. Life without Arabella. said
the letter. was Shakespeare with Ham
let left out. IL limited at the river.
carbolic acid. revolvers. Yes; 1 post
ed it. And then
And then" urged Mr.. Magee.
Mr.. Bland felt tenderly of the horse
shoe pin in his purple tie.
l..Nr ln
AT that point the trouble began. 1t
came from my being naturally very
brave man. 4 could have died-easy.
The brave thing was TO live. To go
on day after day devoid of Arabella-
say. that took courage. ! wanted to
try IT. Tm a courageous nan, Al L
say"
You seem So" Mr. Magee agreed.
Lion hearted" assented Mr.. Bland.
II determined 10 show my nerve and
live. But there was my letter to Ara
bella. I feared she wouldn't appre-
ciate my bravery. Women are dull
sometimes. 1t came TO me maybe she
would be hurt IL / didn't keep my
word and die. So i had to-disappear.
/ had a friend mixed up in affairs at
Baldpate. No; l can't give his name.
j told him my story. He was impress
ed by my spirit, as you have been.
He gave me key he had-the key OF
the door opening from the east veran-
da into the dining room So I came
up here. came here TO be alone. To
forgive and forget. 10 be forgot. And
maybe to plan a new haberdashery in
distant parts"
Was IL your wedding necktie," ask
ed Mr. Magee, that you threw into
the safe when you saw me coming"
mo" replied Mr.. Bland. signing
deeply. "A package of letters, writ
ten 10 me by Arabella at various
times. want TO forget 'em. II ! kept
them on hand / might look at them
from time 10 time. My great courage
might give way. VOC might find my
body on the stairs. That's why / hid
them -