Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-04-20
The Daily
Short Story
THE MYSTERY.
BY AIvah Jordan Garth

fOr-lOVe.
She had Just left AdrIan Noble
the man who had brought her all
this radiance OF emotion, his kiss
was still warm upon her cheek
Elsa sank down upon the veIvety
sward amid a cluster Of bushes To
he alone, to shut out all the world
and try to realize the great delight
that seemed to be some vision OF
glory.
She was an orphan, living with
her married sister until the D0anes
invited her 10 their home. Mr..
Doane was old and feeble, Mrs.
Doane was blind. II became Elsa's
mission TO act as companion for the
latter, her constant attendant, and
this duty became cheerful one.
for her sightless charge was one OF
those sweet-souled beings whose
patience and gentleness win afec-
ton and layalty.
Mr.. Doane died, leaving hts
widow only one living relative in
the world. This was Adrian Noble
I only. when he was 10 year. old, aha
had sen him. Tfgen mis- paTents
went to Canada, Five years later
Mrs. Doane learned that his parents
had died. A few years after that
she received a letter from Noble.
! He told her that he had lost hispos-
ton and asked for loan OF several
| hundred dollars. She had gladly
sent the money, but did not hear
| from him again.
Her heart went out to this last Of
I her kin after her husband died; she
hungered to have near her one OF
her own flesh and blood She had
the address OF Adrian and II was
Elsa to whom she dictated a long
letter. reciting her wishes and
hopes. She asked her nephew TO
come to her and cheer. her declining
days with his presence. And one
day a stalwart, clear-eyed young
man, full OF life and vim, Adrian
Noble announced himself.
There was something about him
as Elsa first glanced at him that
attracted her. The same magnetic
influence seemed 10 aruse a new
spirit in(Mrs. Doane The handsome
young fellow appeared to possess
the qualification of charming every
one with whom he came in contact
| And Elsa-within a month she
| knew that she loved this newcomer.
and now, at the end of two more.
she had just been told that he loved
her in return, and the joyousuess OF
it all fairly overwhelmed the fair.
I innocent girl as she pressed her
lips to a rose Adrian had plucked
for her.
AS Elsa later entered the room
where Mrs. Doane sat, she noticed
| her aged charge with concern. A
change had come over the worn,
wrinkled face. It bore a new pallor
and the hands, tightly cIutched, told
OF some vivid emotion.
Come here. Elsa" spoke Mrs.
Doane. MIR. Noble has gone TO the
! city,"
"Nr. Noble - Adrian?" uttered
Elsa bewilderedly. How strangely
you speak. Has anything hap
pened?"
Yes, Elsa" replied Mrs. Doane.
The man we have called Adrian
Noble is an imposter."
"Oh, Mrs. Doane" gasped Elsa.
"He shall not enter this house
again." spoke Mrs. Doane bitterly.
ELSA, this man is not my nephew.
| Today he CHANGED to give me his
right hand tog uide me across the
room. Suddenly l remembered an
accident that happened to him
/ when my sister visited us. Adrian
/ fell across a scythe and three I'm
gers were severed at the first joint.
This man has no such dishgure-
ment"
Elsa sat like one stunned.
You must be my eyes, my helper,
to solve this mystery. We do not
know that this interloper has muir
dered Adrian to secure his place.
Sightless, helpless myself. I rely
upon you to Sc that this wretch Is
unmasked. He will be absent until
| tomorrow. You must visit his room
and Sc If you can discover among
his papers a clew to his Ssntity."
Elsa shrank from the ordeal.
Suddenly Mrs. Doaue. nervously
awaiting her return from upstairs.
heard a cry of delight and Elsa
came rushing down the stairs and
into her presence, some letters In
her hand. her eyes shining with
rare excitement and hopefulness.
"Oh, Mrs. Doanei" she cried,
perhaps We have done wrong In
prying into the most secret affairs
OF Roy Walden. for that is the name
OF the-imposter Dear. good
friend Won must know all -
And then Elsa was able from
some letters she had found TO ex-
plain the mystery. Adrian Noble
had gone wrong. His devoted
friend, Roy Walden, had sought him
out and had prevailed on him 70
change his reckless career. He had
induced Adrian TO go like man
and accept a prison sentence Tor
engaging in a public riot when I'M
der the influence OF liuuof Then
came the letter from Mrs Doane.
Because, from its tenor Adrian be-
lieved that she needed his business
advice and help and that IL woula
make her happy 10 have him Win
her. he had influenced Rov Walden
to assume his place until he was
free TO appear in person Is re-
DENIED way.
Mr.. Walden Is all that Il loyai
and god," sohbed Elsa and Mrs
Doane said gently:
''He shall be TO me, like Adrian
as an own son"
ing about them. Warrington begin