Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-20


and he good"
Mr.. Bross sweIled with resentment:
exhibited distorted and empurpied
visage. but kept silence.
Pausiu- Mt the foot Of the stoop. Miss
leasing looked mp ut the two young
nien and smiled.
"Good evening" she said. with a
pretty nod for r. Sybarite. and with
fits fellow for George. Good evening.
Mr.. Gross" she INDEED.
Having acknowledged this snlutation
with that quaint courtesy which some
how seemed to fit him like garment.
+. Sybarite smiled strangely at the
shipping clerk.
The latter n,uulbied something in
coherent. glanced wildly toward the
young woman and spluttered expio-
sively. all with blush 80 deep that
its effect was apoplectic. Then. with
IN inarticulate snort he turned and
fed into the house
Confusion possessed him and with Il
rase. Stumbling blindiy on the first
flight OF fps. be clowed the atnos-
phere with fingers THAT itrhed for vto-
lent revenge
". "I'll get hunk with that bon,I ;f it's
the last act or my life
It was with n suggestion OF stealth
that he assembled the second flight and
paused before the door Of the back
hall bedroom opened gently FOR The
space OF three inches.
THAT you Georre:' Violet Prinn de-
nnanded with vivacity.
Reluctantly he stopped. and 81
throaty nonosyllabIe admitted his iden-
tity.
did he fan for IT,
"Af over himself Honest. VI. It was
g scream to watch his eyes pop. You
could've dubbed 'em outa his bean
without touchin' his beak. most
died"
Miss Prin gigsled approximately.
You're n wonder. George" she ap-
plauded. ''It takes you to think EN-
out
"Ah. I don't know" returned her ad
mirer with becoming ulodesty.
Hes gone on her. all right. amt
he:"
Cray about her.!
Think he'll make a play for her |
now:''
"You never can tell about T. S !
He's a queer little gink."
Footsteps became audible on the stairs |
below.
well. so long. See you at dinner"
George added in haste. With deferni-
nation. and heavy tread. he went on
to his ROOM
When lie had shaved with particular
care, and changed his linen trimming
collar aud cuffs to a degree of uncnn.
mon nicetyi and resumed his coat
brushing and hating il simultaneously
and with equal ferOcity for its very
shabbineSs,. I. Sybarite sought ont a
pipe old and diSreputabIe enough TO
he comfort tn any man and sat down
by the one window of his room iton
floor. hall. bnckI 70 smoke and conside:
the state Of the universe while await.
Ing the dinner gong.
The window commanded an elevat-
I'd. II nonexhilarating. view OF back
Yards. one and all dank. dismal and
Uttered with the debris of Il long. hard
winter.
Familiarity however. had rendered
=. Sybariie immune to the miaSma of
they e1haled. The trouble
II his patient blue eyes. the wrinkles
hat lined his forehead. owned another
'auSe
In fact. George had wrought more
upon his temper than r.
y barite had let him see. Perhaps II
vas true. Perhaps George lad guess
d shrewdiy. Perhaps Molly Leasing |
L the glove counter really was one
nd the same With Marian Biessingron
4 the fabulous fortune.
Old Brian Shaynon was known
leviI or Infinite astuteness. II wolId
re quite consistent with his character
md past performances If. desrairing
Il gaining control Of his wards mon (
y by urging her into unweIcome mat
inlopy with his son. he had coutrived
o overreach her IN some manner and {
o driven her to become self support. ;
ne. =
Perhaps hardly likely. the hypoth-
sis was none the less quite plausible.
thing had happened within p. Syba- !;
ties knowledge Of Brian Shaynon.
Even IL Georges romance were only
rue in part. these were wretched cir
rmstnnces for girl of gentle birth \
nd rearing TO adopt. o
Ii was reslly shocking boarding p