Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-06-21
By
REX
BEACH
THE IRON TRAIL

I'm thinking about Mr.. O'Neil. II
rould CRY. I suppose I'll have to stay
and explain to him. but-then I'll go
home"
NO. You'll stay right here and go
through with this thing. I need you.
You? What for"
you can perform a great and sig
nal service for your loving brother.
He's in terrible trouble!'
sNhat's wrong. Danny? Eliza's
anger gave instant place to solicitude.
"You-you haven't stolen anything"
Lord. no. What put that into your
head?"
81 don't know, except that's the
worst thing that could happen to US.
1 like to start with the worst"
II can't sulk in the jungle any more
I'm bad loser, sis"
"Oh! You mean-Natalie? You-like
herr
For a writer you select the most
foolish words Like, love, adore,
worship-words are no good anyway.
I'm dippy; I'm out Of my head; I've
lost my reason. I'm deliriously happy
and miserably unhappy. T.
That's enough the girl exclaimed
81 can imagine the rest
at was a fatal mistake for her to
come to Omar and to this very house
Of all places, where could see her
every day. I might have recovered
from the first Jolt If I'd never seen her
again. but He waved his hands
hopelessly. I'm beginning to hate
O-Neil."
You miserable traitorw gasped
Eliza.
Yep; that's me! I'm dead to loyal
!, ty; lost to the claims Of friendship.
I've fought myself until I'm black in
the face. but it's no use. l must have
Natalie"
She's crazy about O'Neil."
Seems to be for a fact, but that
doesn't alter my fix 1 can't live this
way. You must help me or I'll lose
my reason"
Nonsense! You haven't any or you
wouldn't talk like this. What can
do?"
; Its simple Be nice to Murray and
and win him away from her"
1 as that all? Just make him love
me?"
Dan nodded. That would be fine II
| you could manage it."
"Why-you-you-T'- She gaspet
uncertainty for terms in which to voice
her indignant surprise. idiot" sht
finally exclaimed. You simply cant
: be in earnest"
Il am. though" He turned upon he
eyes. which had grown suddenly ole
and weary with longing.
You poor, foolish boy. In the frs
i place. Mr.. O'Neil will hate me for thi
story. In the second place. no mai
i would look at me. I'm ugly
> Il think you're beautiful"
l. with my snub nose and big moutl
u and
You can make him laugh, and wheI
a woman can make a fellow laugh TIT
:, rest is easy"
in the third place. I'm mannish ant
> vulgar, and besides-I don't care TO
him.
-. of course you don't, OF l wouldn'
q ask it. You see, we're taking no risks
O You can at least take up his attention
7 and-and when you see him maxim:
/
and trip him up
1T wouldn't be honorable, Danny"
a Possibly. But that doesn't max,
any difference with me. You may a
we'll realize that I've got beyond thu
;, point where nice considerations of tina
sort weigh with me. If you'd eve
been in love you'd understand tina
:. such things don't count at all. IT.
your chance to save the reason ant
happiness of an otherwise perfect.
good brother"
There is nothing I wouldn't do fol
i your Notwithstanding. Butch, it,
preposterous"
She continued to scout suggestions
Il that she could help him by captivating
T O'Nef and stoutly maintained that she
had no attraction for men. Neverthe
e less when she went to her room sh.
$ examined herself critically in her mir
ror
u In the days before O'Neirs return
d she suffered constant misgivings anC
t Qualms Of conscience, but the sight o.
n her brother reveling, expanding, fairly
t bursting into bloom beneath the in
r f1uence of Natalie Gerard led her tt
think that perhaps she did have a dut,
6 to perform.
l.. She was greatly embarrassed never
theless when she next met O'Neil ant
tried to explain that story in the Re
view. He listened courteously ant
7 smiled his gentle smile.
My dear" said he finally. Il knew
| there had been some mistake. so let's
| forget that it ever happened. brought
! you a little present"
| Slowly she unwrapped the parce
| and then with a gasp lifted a splen
didly embroidered kimono from itz
| box.
| "Oh-h" Her eyes were round and
| astonished. "Oh-h! It's for mel"
1t was regal garment Of heavy silk
| superbly ornamented with golden drag
| ons, each so cunning worked that II
! seemed upon the point of taking wing
| why, their eyes glitter. And They'd