Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-03-22

NO, I'm not" said she resolutely. Il
am only conscious of feeling extreme
ly foolish"
II shouldn't feel that way about
stealing off for cup of tea" said he.
TITS all quite regular, you know. and
IL frequently done in the very best cir
clcs when the cats away"
You sec. | couldn't quite scrape UP
the courage to go directly to the hotel
for you," she said. Il know several
people who are stopping there, and l.
well. you won't think I'm dread
full person, will you?"
Not at ALL" he declared promptly.
Then he resolved to put one Of the
questions he had made up his mind to
ask at the first opportunity. DO you
mind telling me why you abandoned
me so completely, so heartlessly. on
the day we landed?"
Because there was no reason why
should act otherwise, Mr.. Schmidt"
she said, the tremor gone from her
voice.
And yet you take me to St. Cloud
for tea," he said pointedly.
"Ah, but no one is to know of this"
: she cried warmly. This is a secret,
a very secret adventure"
He could not help staring. And
that is just why am mystifed. Why
is today so very different from yester-
day."
) 1T isn't" she said Doesn't all this
prove it,"
: He suddenly remembered the baron's
shrewd conjecture and let the oppor-
tunity to say something banal go by
without word. Perhaps it was test,
after all.
There are many things want to
= speak about, Mr. Schmidt. and-and
: you know how impossible it is TOTO
get a moment to oneself when one is
g being watched like child, as am be-
z ing watched over by dear Mrs. Gas.
D ton. You will understand, won't you?"
Pray do not distress yourself. Miss
Guile" he protested. THE last word
is spoken. am too happy to spoil
the day by doubling it's integrity.
# AS the the car turned into the Bou.
k levard des Capucines Robin suppress
ed an exclamation of annoyance on be-
e holding Baron Gourou and Dank
IS standing on the curb almost within
= arms length of the car as it passed
t. The former was peering rather in.
e tently at the two men on the front
e seat and evinced little or no interest
b in the occupants Of the passing ton
u neau.
Wasn't that your friend Mr.. Dank %
D. inquired Miss Guile with interest He
A felt that she was Gliding him.
lie Yes" said he, and then turned fol-
N another look at his compatriots. Gou
Ie rou was jotting something down on
a his cuff band. The prince mentally
q promised him something for his pains
r. But let US leave dull care behind" he
e. went on gayly.
N Won't you be good enough to take
e. off that veil? 1t seriously obstructs
r. the view"
x She complacently shook her head
IS ut doesn't obstruct mine," she said
b. Have you been reading what the pa
" pers are saying about your friend Mr.
d. Blithers and his obstreperous daugh.
" ter. Maud?"
ID Robin caught his breath. In a fash
lie he suspected an excellent reason TO,
keeping the veil In place. He could
p" now see that it gave her distinct ad
te vantage over him.
" Eyes. | see that she positively de
=. MES the whole business"
n. Likewise the prospective spouse,
~ she added. isn't it sickening?"
+ by the way, it is reported that she
crossed on the steamer with u.s."
\ II am quite certain that she did, Mr.
! Schmidt" said she.
| you really think so?" he cried, re
garding her keenly.
| 1.-THE man who came to meet me
knows her quite well. He is confident
that he saw her at Cherbourg."
n Il see." said he, and was thoroughly
convinced. Il may as well confess t.
4 you, Miss Guile, that 1 also know hel
u when see her"
ii But you told me positively that vol
III had never seen her, Mr.. Schmidt" sh,
"A said quickly.
4 Il had not seen her up to the second
4 day out on the Jupiter" he explained
II enjoying himself immensely.
Y ut was after that that YOU
4 Il know" he said, as she hesitated
Y but you see I didn't know she wa.
! Miss Blithers until sometime after
a had met you" There was a challenge
| in his manner amounting almost to &
q declaration.
4 She leaned forward to regard hin
u more intently.
II us 1t possible, Mr.. Schmidt, that 70,
d suspect me Of being that horrid, vul
! gar creature?"
| Robin was not to be trapped. Their,
| was something In the shadowy eyel
that warned him.
| AT least l may say that I do no
! suspect you of being horrid. vulgar
| creature" he said evasively.
! you haven't answered my question
Mr.. Schmidt"
ID WELL" he began slowly. II dom
suspect you of being Miss Blithers."
But you did suspect It."
10 Il was pleasantly engaged in specu
n lation. that's all. 1t is generally be
lieved that Miss Blithers sailed unde,
D. an assumed name-literally, not Ar
ST uratively."
~ "a tharAa2x reason Yhx Xpn shpplf