Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-06-24
The Daily Story
Between The Acts-By George L. Gibson.
r-orvr,gbted 1914 by Associated Literary Bureau.

4 StaDbOpe turned his Ddck at Onna
and pushed through the crowd To spesk
to somebody he knew in a nearby seat
Cheeky lad. Stanhope," murmured
veuabIes. but Trev picked up the coat
and walked out without a word.
poor old Trev Is hard hit" said I
my. but Miss Harper Is sailing pretty
close to the windy'
ITO appear with that LatelI, you
meanY suggested YenabIes.
"Umpb."
"She's got queer taste to pick him
! out after a fellow Ike Stanhope."
"Or Trevis."
Oh, no! Men never gossip.
/ noticed that Marion Harper had
risen and was making her way I'D
the aisle, with LatelI, looking rather
crestfalIen, following. There was a
long intermission between the two acts.
1 looked around for Treyis, but be
had got out into the foyer.
He wore his own coat and carried
Stanhope's over his arm. AS he passed
through the gate and refused the re-
turn check he told me aftervard that
the ticket man looked at him a little
oddly, but he thought nothing Of it un-
i'll a commotion arose behind him.
The audience was pouring out into
the promenade. and a man was strug-
Cling through the crowd shouting
"Stop thiefg at the top of his voice.
Well, you can imagine the sort Of
stampede that cry creates IN a theater
lobby.
Trey was so near the door that he
thought he'd get out Of the crush and
let 'em fight 1t out But suddenly his
shoulder was seized by a uniformed
employee Of the house.
Hold himi That's the mani" yelled
the excited individual in the rear.
"He's got it ON his arm"
a SCOT whatT gasped Trev.
That's my coat, you rascal!- shout
ed the man and snatched away the
garment Trev had been carrying.
The ticket taker came up then.
ST suspected him when he went past
mey' he declared, with the air Of
Sherlock Holmes Bring Officer Bra
dy," he added to the usher. There's
too many of these fellows coming here
to the Broughton."
"But assure you this is a mistake"
began Trev.
Then he saw a face in the crowd
that turned his own scarlet, and sealed
his lips as though he had been sudden.
Iy smitten with dumbness.
It was Marion. Her mother and La.
tell were behind her, and Latell was
grinning. He appreciated the humor
Of the thing.
The comments of the bystanders
would have scorched the self respect
of a veritable thief. One woman de
clared he was certainly a very vii
famous looking person." and an old
gentleman suggested that hanging
was too good for these sneak thieves"
Trev, who couldn't get his eyes OF
Marion's face, saw Latell with a sneer
whisper something to her. Instantly
the red mounted in q sudden wave
from neck to brow.
She favored her escort with a glance
Of scorn, and instantly pushed through
the curious crowd.
Marion! implore your murmured
her mother, but the girl did not, or
would not, hear. She went straight
up to the ticket taker:
There is a mistake here" she said.
II know this gentleman very well
He is Mr.. Trevis-Mr. Paul Trevis. II
would be utterly impossible for him
% have taken this-this persons coat 7
ook, except by mistake"
Trev recovered himself.
Don't put yourself to any trouble
darion," he said in a low voice. 1T
will be explained in a moment An,
lere comes Stanhope now!'
The ticket taker had dropped the
risoner's arm. Stanhope saw his
hum. but did not realize what was
aking place.
Hold on. Trey!" he exclaimed.
ushing through. Didn't you hear
le ask you to take my coat over
ONE with you? You forgot it" and
g held the garment up.
The crowd began to laugh. and the
ocksure individual who had caused
lie disturbance slipped away.
Then Stanhope saw Marion.
Good evening, Miss Harper" be
lid with some stiffness.
But Marion and Trev had been look
e into each others eyes.
Il am afraid you will have to carry
our own coat. Mr.. Stanhope," she said
shtly, the smile coming back TO her
&c, 'for Mr.. Trevis has just agreed
see mamma and me home 7 really
mt feel equal to sitting out the play
night"
She had turned her back on Latell
ID did not even look at him again
she went out with Trev. But l
exon she had reason for so treating
m.
Stanhope heard what Latell sneered
II under his breath. however. and
~ the appearance OF the tardy Of
er stopped another bit or excitement
the lobby.
Afterward Stanhope ErumbIed some
err having to carry his coat himself.
didp't see any deeper into It than
1T