The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-05-26
ADVENTURES OF A HYPOCHON.
DRIAC.
By Ada Nav Borden Stevens.

ny Aub may DOTUcu OteScuS.
Copyright. 1921, by Wheeler Syn
dictate, Inc.)
1t was partly the fault Of the dog.
He is much too impartial. as collies
are apt to be. He spent his time
Unfortunately among his admir-
ing neighbors. Three of them had
houses just like his masters. How
should he know which was which.
since all gave forth bones? Were
| dog-but you shall see. For a
fellow just recovering from an at
tack Of nerves, to meet things as
unstable as this dog and the furni-
sure of Maple street, is demOraliz-
ing. that's what tits.
chose my cousins from the list
Of possible visiting places, because
It was quiet. Even the town is
quiet OF the house one had rea-
son to expect a special stability
Alfred explains at length that
have not been betrayed, but Judge
Tor yourself.
My cousin met me upon my ar
rival. for it happened that / had
never visited him since he moved
to Westgate. We stopped before q
piazza in duplicate. passing through
a duplicate door into what after
ward l found to be duplicate hall
Except in furnishings, in Alfred
hall was only a table and chair
It was restfully vacant; from it,
plain walls, scant furnishings. to
the cheerful little wife and pleas.
ant home atmosphere. l felt at last
! had found peace. ! rested well
that night.
With the interest Of q stranger
in town. I went out next day, proud
to take my first trip alone. l felt
duly, or unduly, elated. Returning
! ran confidently up the steps
where sat Billy. the cat: l opened
the hall door to be greeted by Ma.
..or. the dog. But the hall looked
unfamiliar; there was a tall CLOCK
In the corner, and a formidable
hat-rack almost challenging the
way. Like a soidier-or is it a
burglar?-suddenly seeming dan.
ger, came to tiptoe formation;
craned toward the door into thu
sitting room.
did you want to see ALFRED
Poser? He lives next door," The
voice was sweet, and the head thai
followed 1t was pretty, but I LEFT
As precipitately as though followed
by a bristling warrior with al
swords drawn. There Is little sat
!sfaction in apologizing for . frank
iy bone-headed intrusion, even t.
. pretty face. so left at once. will
my apology trailing over my shoul
F.! der.
Alfred's wife has pleasant
laugh, and the mirth of cousins 1,
more healing than that of brothers
40 l picked up courage once more
took back my rash vow that
would never appear in public agar
without a keeper, and went dOwr
Street on the following afternoon
went early and returned late
This time I left nothing to chance
! counted my steps from the corner
to the house. l looked first at tn,
numbers and then at the draperie,
and house plants in the windows
carefully avoided all piazza.
where reposed any Of our house
hold pets. Then 1 boldly valket
in.
Heavens! What had I done? No
an article was familiar. BY tn,
stairs stood a broad. old-fashionet
couch; black walnut wardrobe
and crockery umbrella racl
grimmed from separate corners
Tho accustomed chair where
usually draped my coat was gone
Standing bewildefed. I clutched my
failing senses and uttered thu
thoughts within me:
Have I gone mad again-whsr,
am I? Who're an II" I cried. In the