Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-03-15


gate Blithers, the beautiful and &C.
complished daughter of the great capt.
talist, and Robin, prince Of Grau-
stark. A queer little smile played
about her lips as she folded the paper
for future perusal Turning the cor
ners of the deck building, she almost
collided with R. Schmidt, who stood
leaning against the wall, scanning the
little newspaper with eyes that were
blind to everything else.
"Oh!" she gasped.
I'm sorry" he exclaimed, crumpling
the paper in his hand as he backed
away, flushing. Stupid of me. Good
morning."
Good morning. Mr.. Schmidt. It
wasn't your fault should have look
ed where was going. l see you have
a paper. 1t appears that Miss Blith.
ers and the prince are to be married
after all"
Yes, 1t is quite apparent that the
Blithers family wants a title at any
cost" he said.
Her eyes flashed with amusement at
his reply.
Would you like to take few turns
around the deck, Miss Guile?" he in.
quired, a trace of nervousness in his
manner.
Before deciding she shot an investi-
eating glance into the corner. Mrs.
CASTOR was not only there, but was
engaged in conversation with the gray
mustached gentleman in nearby
chair. It required but half a glance
to show that Mr.. Totten was unmis-
takably Interested In something the
voluble lady had just said to him.
"Na, thank you, Mr.. Schmidt" said
Miss Guile hastily, and then hurried
over to her chair, a distinct cloud on
her smooth brow. Robin, considering
himself dismissed, whirled and went
his way. a dark flush spreading over
his face. Never In all his life had he
been quite so out of patience with the
world as on this bright, sunny morn
inS.
! Here comes Mr.. Schmidt" whis-
, pered Mrs. CASTOR excitedly a few
moments later and at once made a
movement Indicative Of hasty de-
parture.
sit STILL" said Miss Guile peremp-
torily.
R. Schmidt again passed them by
without so much as a glance in their
direction. There was very sweet
smile on Miss Guile's lips as she
closed her eyes and lay back in he1
chair. Once, twice. thrice, even as
many as six times R. Schmidt strobe
rapidly by their corner, his head high
and his fsee aglow.
At last queer little picker appear
ed on the serene brow of the far from
drowsy young lady whose eyes peeped
through half closed lids. Suddenly
she threw off her rug with a brief re
mark to her companion, arose and
went to her cabin. Mrs. CASTOR fol
lowed, not from choice, but because
the brief remark formed command.
Soon afterward r. Schmidt, who had
been Joined by Dank, threw himself
into his chair with great sigh o.
fatigue and said:
"'Gad, I've walked hundred miles
since breakfast. Have you a match?'
Hobbs has made very curious
discovery" said the young lieutenant
producing his matchbox. There wa.
perturbed look in his eyes.
eff Hobbs isn't careful he'll discover
a new continent one Of these days. HI
is always discovering something,
said Robin, putting away at his pipe.
But this is really interesting. I
seems that he was in the hold wheI
Miss Guile's maid came down to ge
into one OF her mistress's trunks
Now. the first letter in Guile is G
isn't it? Well, Hobbs says there ar
. at least half dozen trunks there be
: longing to the young lady and that al
of them are marked with large re,
. B. What do you make Of it?"
The prince had stopped putting a
his pipe.
Really. you know, Dank, ought t
dismiss Hobbs" said Robin irritably
= HE is getting to be a dreadful nu
. sance. Always nosing around tryin
. to-
= But, after all, sir, you'll have to az
NIT that he has made a puzzling di:
CoVery. why snouid ner luggage o
3 marked with b"
8 81 should say because her name b,
: gins with B." said Robin shortly.