Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-06-14
By
REX
BEACH

FEAR Is something ldlse, IL uoc'h
exist"
1T seems to me he was-unfaithful
to his trust Am l right?'
That is something you must judge
for yourself" he told her gravely.
You see, don't know anything about
the reasons which prompted him to
sacrifice your rights. He may have
had very good reasons. l dare say he
had. In building this railroad | have
felt but one regret-that is the indirect
effect it may have upon you and your
mother. Your affairs are linked close
" with Gordon's, and the success OF
my enterprise will mean the failure
Of his"
You mustn't feel that way. I'm
sure it won't affect us at all, for we
have nothing more to lose. Sometimes
think his judgment is faulty, cratic,
wonderful man though he is. Mother
do l, yet hardly know what to do. 1t
is impossible that he did worse than
make a mistake"
Her dark eyes were bent upon Muir
ray, and they were eloquent with the
question which she could not bring her
frankly that Curtis Gordon was a
charlatan, or even worse, and that his
fairest schemes were doomed to fail
ure by the very nature Of his methods,
| but instead he said:
I'm deeply distressed I hope things
are not as bad as you think and that
Mr.. Gordon will be able to straighten
them out for you. II ever can be Of
service you must be sure to call upon
me-"
Her thanks were conventional, but in
her heart was deep, warm gratitude,
for she knew that he meant what he
said and would not fail her.
Dan Appleton, eying Natalie and his
miringly:
She's perfect peach. sis! She reg
istered a home run with me the first
time at bat"
"She is nice"
You know a fellow gets mighty lone
ly in a place like this. She'd make a
dandy sister-in-law for you, wouldn't
she?"
Forget it." said Eliza sharply.
That's rank INSTRUMENTATION Omar
Khayyam snatched her from the briny
and tried to die for her. He has
bought her two acres of the most ex-
pensive roses and he remembers the
date of her birthday. Just you keep
your hands off,
How does she feel about him.
oh, she heroiZes him, of course.
don't know just how deep the feeling
goes, bat l got the impression that it
was pretty serious. Two women can't
borrow hafrpins and mix powder puffs
for week and remain strangers"
Then. as for Daniel Appleton, C. E..
good night" exclaimed her brother rue
fully. IF | were a woman Id marry
him myself. provided could get
ahead Of the rush; but, being a male
Of the species, I suppose l shall creep
out into the jungle and sulk"
"Right-o. Don't enter this race, for
I'm afraid you'd be bad loser Per
sonally. can't see anything in him to
rave about. What scares me pink is
the knowledge that I must tell him the
wretched business that brings NE here.
If he strikes ME. Danny. remember
I'm still your sister,
When the big gong gave the signal
for luncheon Appleton conducted Ma
talie and Eliza to the company mess
room. where the field and office force
tlined together. and presented them to
his fellow lieutenants. At supper time
those who had been out on the line dur
ing the day were likewise introduced
and after a merry meal the whole par.
ty escorted the two girls back to the
green bungalow.
why, here's piano. Eliza exclaim
ed upon entering the parlor
Il borrowed it for the evening from
the Elite saloon" O'Neil volunteered
IT'S dissipated old instrument, and
, some Of its teeth have been knocked
| out-in drunken brawls, I'm afraid
but the owner vouched for its behavior
on this occasion"
At her first opportunity Eliza under
took to make that confession the
thought of which had troubled her al
the afternoon. Drawing O'NeiI aside,
she began with some trepidation
Have you any idea why I'm here?'
II supposed either you or Dan had
achieved your pet ambition"
Far from it. I have a fell purpose
and when you learn what it is l ex
pect You to move the piano out-thats
what always happens in the play when
the heroine is dispossessed. Well
then, I've been sent by the Review to
bare all the disgraceful secrets OF your
lifer'
I'm delighted to learn you'll be here
so long. You can't possibly finish that
task before next spring" His man
ner, though quizzical. was genuinely
hearty.
Don't laugh!' said the girl. There's
nothing funny about it. l came north
as a spy"
Then you're Northern Spy
"Apples"' she cried. You remem-
bered, didn't you? I never supposed
men ike you could be nippant. Well,
here goes for the worst" She outlined
her conversation with the editor of her
paper.
| so Ynu think LIN frrfnn To eta.