Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-04-08
The Daily
Short Story
THE BROKEN TRAIL.
BY Eileen Charlotte Renee

ne was pour ne hdd Isolated
and had shut out his
friends, his face was homely. the
lone house he occupied cherries
and chilly. yet at many a midnight
vigil there awoke within Bryce
Willis the most extravagant soul
OF hope.
He had been expert chemist for
the great Rolfe steel works and
had scored a brilliant record
through the discovery OF a system
OF hardening steel John Rolfq
had appropriated this process a.
his own. He had also, however.
discerned in the budding genius Of
his chemist vast possibilities. He
had introduced Wills In his home.
and because OF that Willis became
acquainted with Viola Rolfe They
loved, hut the mutual tie Of afec-
ton was rudely broken. Viola was
taken on a distant tour by her
mother, Wills was discharged
from the plant.
Viola came back, but he neither
saw her nor sought her She had
written him a single letter. breath
ing love and despair commingled
The family system Of repression
and selfishness had cowed her gen
tie spirit Willis tOiled on, sus-
tanned by the enthusiasm Of d
dreamer and genius.
At a fashionable summer resort
the Rolfes had met one Gaspard
Duquesne. He was known as the
Diamond King" and, according %
his own ford representations, was
the owner OF Brazilian diamond
fields of enormous value. He
dressed richly, had penetrated high
society, spent his money freely and
made a great show of a collection
of the precious gems he carried
in a velvet lined pocket case.
It was rumored that he was en-
gagged TO Miss Rolfe, and it was
while he was a guest at the Rolf
mansion that something occurred
that added a new flavor Of excite
ment to the situation.
1t was about midnight when
Willis, busy in his laboratory
heard voices outside, then the bav-
ing OF a dog. There came a sharp
knock at the door. AS he opened
it he was confronted by the sheriff
of the county and his assistant
holding in leash formidable look
ing bloodhound.
TRY him inside spoke the for
mer, but as his companion gave
rein the dog shifted but refused
to cross the threshold.
THE scent isn't inside, that's
sure" remarked the sheriff. Tie
animal made the trail right up &c
the rear door here and then to tn
river bank and loses the scent
Excuse me, Mr. Willis, but this is
an important business. Mr.. Du-
quesne. down at Rolfe's was robbed
OF his diamonds last evening
Someone scaled a trellis and got
them out of his room, worth over
a hundred thousand dollars.
And 500" intimated Willis com
posedly.
"Oh, we'll, I know you. There's
no suspicion ~on that score. It's
mystery, though"
Willis later learned that a COOL
many suspected him OF the robbery.
There was the fact that Nh. Role
had discharged him and that DE
quesne had stolen his love from
him. Then Willis made a peculiar
discovery He was given 10 skat-
ing exercises on the river, and his
skates, usually hanging outside the
door, were missing. Then righ,
near TO it Willis found little
book. Inspecting II.
he traced that its owner must b
John Bayne," living al q town
20 miles distant.
1t was plain 10 him that the
trail had been broken by the thief
his skates and taking
to the river. Without further ado
Willis went TO Mayville lie learn
ed that a stranger named Bayne
had been boarding at house IN
the town for some weeks. He Wis
tied the place and was directed %
an upper room. The moment he
entered it he saw his skates lying
in a corner.
You are John Bayne," he chal'
Ienged the heavy-iawed, turtve-
eyed occupant OF the apartment
That's me, what OF it?' was the
return challenge.
Plainly. bluntly Willis told what
OF IT," The man made no denial OF
the crime. Surprised, he stareI
blackly at the queer, direct person
atty OF his visitor.
What you want is the property
taken. en-" he rallied. and me
suspicion removed from yourself.
Just that" replied willis.
All, right, you're queer cue'
but the way you came az me
catches me. Here's my part: No
action until l ger away from town
That's agreed" nodded Wills.
VERY we'll. there's your-dla-
monds," and Bayne handed over
small case. Those stones am
worth a nickel They are very
cleverly camoutiaged rock crystals.
l know, for ! tried 70 sell them.
Willis went TO the sheriff ana
told his story. then back 70 als
work. The unmasked pretendeF
left the village summarily. lae
following week Willis worked o1'
his scientific problem, went 70 thF
city and its newspapers heraidea
discovery that would nearly rev
lutionize a bo-product undertaking,
One day John Rolfe came 70 tas
lonely house. He ayowed hthsel'
anxious TO buy the great discovery.
"Or take you in as partner e.
it," pressed Rolfe. See here, W.
lis. let's be free and open. Nlol"
is mourning for you and you Wa
her. Good consider you "S