Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-01

voice, and, still bewildered, he whirl-
ed, hat in hand. to confront Mrs. Gas
ton. Did startle you?"
He bowed stifly over the hand she
held out for him to clasp and muir
INJURED something about being proof
against any surprise.
Isn't 1t a glorious morning? And
how wonderful she is in this gorgeous
sunlight" went on Mrs. Castor, in
what may be described as a hurried,
nervous manner.
81 had the briefest glimpse Of her."
mumbled Robin. "When did she
Gomez"
Centuries and centuries ago, Mr..
Schmidt" said she, with smile. 81
was speaking of the Jungfrau."
"Oh!" he exclaimed, flushing. 81
thought you = er yes, of course!
Really quite wonderful"
"Your mind has gone horseback rid
ing, fear. At present it is between
here and Lauterbrunnen, jogging be-
side that roaring little torrent that
~ don't mind confessing that you
are quite right" he said frankly.
"You are in love-"
81 am" he confessed.
She laid her hand upon his. Her
eyes were wide with eagerness
would it drive away the blues if
were to tell you that you have a
chance to win herr"
He felt lis head spinning. Gift
I could believe that-that'- he be-
gan and choked up with the rush of
emotion that swept through him.
"She is a strange girl. She will
marry for love alone Her father is
determined that she shall marry a
royal prince. That much l may con-
fess to you. She has defed her
father, Mr.. Schmidt. She will marry
for love, and 1 believe it is in your
power to awaken love in that ador-
able heart of hers. You
"For Gods sake. Mrs CASTOR, tell
me-tell me. has she breathed word
to you that
"Not 4 single word But I know
her well. l have known her since she
was baby, and l can read the soul
that looks out through those lovely
eyes
But you-you don't know anything
about me. l may be the veriest adven-
turer. l must be honest with you,
Mrs. CASTOR" he said suddenly. 81 an
not
She held up her hand "Mr. Totten
has informed me that you are a life
long friend of Mrs. Truxton King.
cabied to her from Paris. There is no
more to be said"
His face fell. Did she tell you
everything?"
"She said no more than that R.
Schmidt is the finest boy in all the
world" Suddenly her face paled. you
are never-never to breathe word OF
this toto Bedelia," she whispered.
But her father? What will he say
| to-
| Her father has said all that can be
said,'' she broke in quietly. "He can
not force her to marry the man he has
selected. She will marry the man she
loves"
Thank you. thank you, Mrs. Gas
ton," he cried. with shining eyes. Goo
bless you."
Night came and with it the silvery
glow of moonlight across the hoary
headed queen Of the Oberland Wher
Robin came out from dinner he seated
himself on the porch, expectant, eager
and vastly lonesome.
| She came at last-and alone. Stop
| ping at the rail not more than an arms
length from where he sat, she gazeC
pensively up at the solemn mistress Of
| the valley, one slim hand at her bosom
the other hanging limp at her side. He
was in thralldom. "Bedelia!" he
whispered softly.
She turned quickly, to find him
standing beside her, his face aglov
with rapture. A quick catch of the
breath, sudden movement of the
hand that lay upon her breast anC
then she smiled-a wavering, uncer
tain smile that went straight to his
heart and shamed him for startling
her. Il beg your pardon" he begar
! lamely. Il startled you"
She held out her hand to him, still
smiling. ~ fear l shall never become
accustomed to being pursued" she
said, striving for command of hel
voice. at is dreadful to feel thai
some one is forever watching you
from behind. l am glad it is you
| however. You at least are not 'the
! secret eye that never sIeeps!'" She
/ gently withdrew her hand from his
ardent clasp. "Mrs. CASTOR told me
| that she had seen you. feared that
you might have gone on your way re.
| joicing"
1 "Retoicing?" he cried. "Why DE-
| you say that"
"After our experience in Paris
] should think that you had hat
enough Of me and my faithful watch.
dogs"
"Then you are being follower
She smiled again. and there wai
mischief in her eye. "If so have LED
them merry chase. We have beer
travelling for two days and nights
Mr.. Schmidt, by train and motor, get
ting off at stations Unexpectedly
hopping into trains going in any di
! rection but the right one. sleeping II
strange beds and doing all manner Of
queer thinga."
81 see that -FOUR retinue has beer
subst@ntially( augmented" he re
AlaA.d, q tAee of jealousy IN llt