The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-06-26

tall building which he knew to be
an open barn, standing on the edge
of long stretch of meadowland. 1t
was as big as a house, yet consist
ed Of no more than a roof carried
upon half a dozen tall, brick pill
lars. But densely packed under
that roof was a great stack of hay
that promised a warm couch on so
cold a night He cleared a trough
for his body, and lying down in it,
covered himself to the neck with
the hay he had removed Within
five minutes he was soundly asleep.
When next he awakened, the
sun was already high in the heav-
ems. Then to his awakening senses
came a drone Of voices close at
| hand, to which at first he paid lit
: tie heed.
"Oh, mon Dieu, Leandre, let us
separate at once. If it should be
my father ="
And upon this a mans voice
broke in, calm and reassuring:
mo, no, Climene; you are mis-
| taken. There is no one coming. We
are quite safe. Why do you start at
! shadows?"
More was not needed to reassure
| Andre-LOuis. He had overheard
! enough to know that this was but
! the case of a pair of lovers who,
with less to fear of life, were yet
! after the manner of their kind
/ more timid of heart than he.
In the space Of cropped meadow
| between the barn and the hedge
| stood man and a woman, both
! young. The man was a well-set-up,
| comely fellow, with a fine head of
chestnut hair tied in a queue by a
| broad bow Of black satin. He was
/ dressed with certain tawdry at
| tempts at ostentatious embellisn-
ments, which did not progresses
one at first glance in his favor.
| The child-she was not more than
! that, perhaps twenty at the most
possessed, in addition to the allure
ments of face and shape that went
very near perfection, a sprinkling
! vlvacfty and a grace of movement
! the like of which Andre-Louis did
not remember ever before to have
beheld assembled in one person.
| He could not have told you WHY,
! but he was conscious that it ag-
| grieved him to find her so intimate
] with this pretty young fellow, who
was partly clad, as it appeared, in
/ the cast-offs of a nobleman. He
could not guess her station, but the
/ speech that reached him was cul-
tured in tone and word. He strain
ed to listen.
Ihat is what my heart desires,
Leandre, but I am beset by fears
lest your strategem should be too
late. l am to marry this horrible
Marquis OF Sbrufadelli this very
day. He arrives by noon. He comes
| 10 sign the contract-to make me
the Warehouses of Sbrufadelli
On! 1t was a cry of pain from
that tender young heart Save me,
Leandre. Save me! You are my only
hope"
So her father was marrvinp ber
TO marquis That implied birth IN
ner sac. And yet she was content
! 20 pair on with this dull young ad-
Venturer In the furnished lace!
1t shall never be-" M. Lean
are was storming passionately.
Never! l swear it," And he shook
! his puny fist at the blue vault Of
heaven-Ajax- defying Jupiter. "Ah,
but here comes our subtle friend
He will bring US news, know"
Andre-Louis looked also in the
direction Of the gap. Through il
emerged lean, slight man in
rusty cloak and a three-cornered
nat worn well down over his nose
so as to shade his face.
Monsieur" said he, with the air
or a conspirator. the time for ac-
ton has arrived, and SO has the
Marquis. That Is why"
Tell me, tell mel Speak," Gil
meme implored him. holding out her
hands In a duplication no man OF
sensibility could have resisted. Anc
then on the instant she caught her
breath On q sSatut scream. sgy-fa-