Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-01-28

| up CnfquIta--
| you know what it meansw She
| stared at him with hard, level eyes.
I'm not a moderate person-I can't
do things by halves. No! I see you
are mad over this Garavel girl. But
you can't get her." Something In his
dazzled. love foolish smile enraged her
so! you are planning even now.
Well, then. understand 1 can build,
and can destroy
There's nothing more to say" he
interrupted her quietly, $50 I'd better
excuse myself"
"Yesi / would prefer to be alone"
When he had bowed himself away
she crushed the fan in her hand,
staring out across the lights of the
city below, and it was thus that Cort-
landt found her a few moments later.
He dropped into the empty chair be-
side her, saying:
Hello. Thought you had this with
Anthony"
81 had
whats the trouble?"
''There is no trouble" She began to
rock, while he studied her profile;
then, conscious of his look. she, in
quired, Aren't you dancingT
mo, just looking on, as usual,
prefer to watch. You have broken
your fan, it seems" He flung his Gig
arctic into the darkness and, reaching
out, took the fan from her hand. She
saw that his lips were drawn back in
a peculiar smile.
"Well, Is that so stranger" she an
swered sharply. 'You SEEM She
broke of and looked deliberately away
from him.
"Row, eh?'' he inquired softly.
She could BARELY hold back her hatred
Of the man. He had worked power
fully upon her nerves Of late, and she
was half hysterical.
"why do you take pleasure In an
moving mer' she cried. tfWhat ails
you these last few weeks? I can't
stand it, WON'T
"Oh! Pardon! One quarrel an even
ing is enough. should have known
better. Too bad you and he don't hit
it of better; he likes me. He's giving
me a party after the dance, sort of
gratitude affair. A delicate way TO ac-
knowledge a debt, eh?'
Lou huOW very wen II 10 IAuAAciS
doing" she said.
"Oh, there are six Of them In 1t alto
gether, but Anthony originated the
little surprise. It's intended for you
of course"
81 don't see 1t. Are you goingT
az accepted. Funny spectacle. Ell?
Me the guest of-Anthony?
There was a trace of anxiety in her
voice as she answered, and, though
she spoke carelessly, she did not meet
his eyes.
I'D rather you'd make an excuse.
I'll have to go home alone. you know"
He raised his brows mockingiy. MY
dear! I'm to be the honored guest"
"Suft yourself, of course
A marine officer approached, mop
ping his face, and engaged her In con-
whereupon Cortlandt rose
Ianguidly and strolled away through
the crowd that came eddying forth
from the ballroom
Meanwhile Kirk had found Runneis,
who was looking for him, eager to ex-
press his congratulations and to dis
cuss their exploit in detail.
Now that he had some one TO whom
Kirk could talk freely, he let himself
90, and he, was deep in conversation
when Stephen Cortlandt strolled up
md stopped for an instant to say:
"Quite a lively party, isn't it,"
Kirk noticed how salIow he had
grown IN the past few months and
low he had fallen off in weight. He
ooked older too. His cheeks had
'unken In until they outlined his jaws
sharply. He seemed far from well.
A nervous twitching of his fingers
,etokened the strain he had been IN
Ter. He was quite as immaculate. pol
shed and collected as usual, however.
How is our little stag coming on:''
lie asked.
Fine, Everything is ready" said
tunnels. You won't expect an elab-
rate layout. It's mostly cold storage
-ou know. but We'll at least be able TO
Iuench our thirst ar the Central"
"Then it's really coming of? I vas
fraid you'd forgotten IT, Cortlandt
asst a curious glance at KIRK, whosex-
leimed heartily:
"weIl. hardly" Then. as their pros
ective guest moved of, What a
TRANCE remark
Yes" said RunneIs. hes a queer
elbow; but, then, you know, he's abput
= emotional as toad"