Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-23


"whatT' demanded Violet.
81 wouldn't let any ward politician
like that there wazir. or whatever
them Arabs call him. kid me into try
Ing IS throw bomb at Charlie Muir
phy-or anything like that"
But, you bonehead," Violet argued
candidly. he had to. That was his
part 1t was written in the play"
"G'wan. II he'd just stalled round
and refused to jump through the au
thor'd've framed up some other way
out Why-blame iti-he'd've had to-
That Will be about all for me-" said
Violet II don't feel strong enough
tonight to stand any more of your
dramatic criticism. Lead me home
and please talk baseball all the way"
With a resentful grunt Mr.. Bross
clamped a warm. moist hand round the
plump arm of his charmer and with
masterfuI address propelled her from
the curb in front of the theater. where
the little party had paused. to the
northwest corner of Broadway Z.
Sybarite. moving instinctively to fol-
low. Ieaped back to the sidewalk bare
" in time to save his toes crushing
beneath the tires OF a HURTING taxi
cab.
He smiled a furtive apology at Mol
Is Leasing. who had demonstrated
greater discretion. and she returned
the smile in the friendliest manner.
His head was buzzing. and her eyes
were kind. Neither spoke. but for an
instant he experienced breathless
sense OF sympathetic isolation with
her. there on that crowded corner
The wonder and the romance of the
play were still warm and vital in his
Imagination. infusing his thoughts
with a roseate glamor OF unreaiity
wherein all things were possible.
For three hours he had forgotten his
Iowly world. had lived on the high
peaks OF romance. breathing only their
rare atmosphere that never was on
land or sea.
Difficult ne found IL now to divest
his thoughts OF that cnthrallment. TO
descend TO cold and sober reality. to
remember he was n clerk. his compan-
lon n shopgirl. rather than prince
disguised as CALENDER esquiring prin-
cess dedicated to fatal enchantment-
that "Kismet'' was a quaint fallacy.
one with that whimsical conceit OF orr
ent fatalism which assigns to each
md every man his day OF days. where
In he shall range the skies and plumb
the abyss OF his destiny alternately |
lord and puppet-
But presently. with an effort. blink |
ing. lie pulled his wits together. and. /
traffic policeman creating n favorable /
opening. the two scurried across and /
plunged into the comparative obscuri- |
" Of West Thirty eighth street. sturdy |
George and his modest Violet already
full block in advance.
IF we hurry we might catch up"
suggested Molly Leasing.
Il don't miss 'em much" he admit
ed. without Offering to mend the pace.
She laughed softly.
Are they really in lover"
George is" replied =. Sybarite, aft
r taking thought
You mean she isn't?''
ITO blhsh unseen is violet's idea OF
othinG TO do-not. at least. when one
; a perfect thirty-eight and possesses
good digestion and an infinite capac-
y for amusement In carte"
THAT Is to say the girl prompted.
violet will marry well II at all"
Not Mr.. Bross then?"
Nor any other poor man. don't
~ she doesn't care for George. but
efore anything serious comes OF ii
ell have to make good use OF his day
Z days-if 'KiSmet' ever sends him
ne. hope II will" p. Sybarite add
/ sincerely.
You don't believe-really"-
Just now? With all my heart, I'm
full of romantic nonsense 1 can ,
irdly think" ,
Again the girl laughed quietly to his $
amor.
And since you're a true believer.
T. Sybarite, tell me what use you 7
ould make OF your day OF days" h
Il? Oh. r. Smiling wistfully. he O
'cned deprecatory palms. Hard to
y I'm afraid l should prove a fat
'us fool in Georges esteem equally b
ith old Hail. I'm sure that, like ii
n. the sunset OF my day would see n
e prescribed. a price upon my head"
"But-why:' =
I'm afraid I'd try to use my power n
right old wrongs" Z
After pause she asked difidently, "
our own<"
Perhaps. Yes. my own. certainly. e
ID possibly anothers. not so old. but "
ssibly quite as grievous." 81
Somebody you care for a great
all" p
Thus tnrdily made TO realize into
rat perils his fancy was leading bin. 81
checked and weighed her question n
IN his answer. gravely Judgmatical. u
Perhaps I'd better not say that" I
announced. a grin tempering his In
nerity. But I'd go far for friend
nobody who had been kind 10 me. CO
she were in trou- bl
and could use my services" b'
e fancied her glance was quick and
rp and searching. but her voice or
IN she spoke was even and lightly on
med 10 his whimsical mood. tn
hen you're not even sure she an
friends IA troublei" on