Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-24

which he lived. He was bright boy
and would have been glad to go to
college. but his mother had done all
she could for him, and it was time he
began to do for her. Consequently he
must so to work.
The graduating exercises were over.
the pupils had been handed their di-
plomas, and Rudolf started for his
home to tell his mother oil about IT.
Leaving the main thoroughfare, he
entered the quiet street in which he
lived, having still half dozen blocks
to go to reach his home, when an auto
mobile that was being driven in the
direction he was walking stopped at
the curb a few yards ahead of him,
man alighted. took him by the arm
and forced him into the car. Rudolf
was physically no match for the man
and offered little resistance. Once in
the car he was powerIess to call as
sistance, for it was closed vehicle,
and his captor at once drew down the
curtains.
That he was kidnapped to be held for
ransom did not occur to the boy for
several reasons. In the first place, the
man who had taken him was a mild
hammered person, with no resemblance
to the class of common kidnapers. In
the second place, kidnapping was as
ISOLATED in Rudolfs mind with little
children, too young to serve as effec-
tive witnesses against their captors.
Thirdly, the man told him in a reas-
surfing voice that he would be at no
discomfort whatever. AS they drove
along he asked Rudolf q few questions.
do you remember your father?"
mo; he died when 1 was a little
child"
HAS your mother ever spoken to
you of him?"
"'I don't remember that she has"
"And you have never bad the curl
osity to ask about him:"
Indeed, I have. but have not done
so because to mention him always
gives my mother pain"
The man paused in his questions and
seemed to be thinking. Then he asked
another:
Have you ever gathered from your
mother or any one else that your
father while living acted in a repre-
hensible manner%'
NO one has ever talked to me about |
him. The impression that 1 have re- |
ceived from my mother is that she |
mourned him as any widow would |
mourn her husband"
This seemed to produce a decided |
effect on the man sitting beside Rudolf
Again there was pause, at the end of
which came another question.
Then you have never heard your
mother say that your father was a
bad mann
Certainly not"
The man seemed to be profoundly
moved He attempted to take the boys
hand in his. but Rudolf drew away. and
his captor did not renew the attempt.
They were some time in the car. at the
end of which they turned into the
of n handsome house, and
the car drew up under porte-cochere
at the end of the porch. The man got
,ut and beckoned Rudolf to follow him.
Come into the house with me-" he
said to the boy. 81 have something to
tell you. If after you have had plenty
If time to consider what 1 shall say to
you you wish to go home you will DO
sent there"
This not only caused Rudolf to feel
easy, but by this time his curiosity
vas excited to learn something about
his man who had asked him questions
about his father and had kidnapped
lim on the very day he had been
graduated from the high school. On
entering the house a maid appeared.
md the man told her to show the boy
o a room and he was to come down to
luncheon in half an hour. The maid did
s required, speaking kindly to her
barge and showing him every atten-
ion. The time did not seem long be-
ore she informed him that luncheon
vas ready. On going down stairs he
ound his captor in the library. Rudolf.
o far as he had noticed the mans APP
earance. had done so regarding him [
s an enemy. Now that this feeling
ad worn Off he was surprised to see
gentleman who gave evidence of re-
nement. He led the boy into the
lining room. Iuxuriously furnished and {
butler stood ready to serve the lunch
on.
II shall not eat anything" said Ru-
off. It'll l have had an opportunity to
end my mother a message"
THAT you may do. Has your mother {
telephone?"
mo, but our next door neiChbor has 9
ne, and we are permitted to use it" ,
SHOW him the telephone BOOTH" r
lid the host to the butler. r
Rudolf went to the booth. called for ,
is mother and found her much
orried at his failure to return TO her
fter the school exercises. He gave her
brief account of what had happened. :
nding her an excellent listener, but I.
hen he asked her for his views as to :
no his captor might be and what /,
ere his intentions he found her I'M .
AS soon as he told her
: had been promised that after he had -
stoned TO what the stranger had to