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THE ROCK ISLAND ARGUS. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13. 1913. 13 The Husbands of Edith By GEORGE BARR M'CUTCHEOH Cop rtcfit by Dodd. Mead & Co. money? RefCIy. I'm terribly nervous. But be won't dare say anything, will he? He is as guilty as I, for he took !t. Oe took ft knowing that you were free at the time. But we will talk It over tomorrow. Tre Just got back to the hotel. 1 wouldn't go to bed until I Edith brought me up to hear your dear voice. I am so glad you are not dead. more vilo than that from which they It Is Impossible to release you tonight had generously released him. He real- Those wretches bare the key. How I lzod that it would be unwise to create loathe them! Edith says the hotel Is n disturbance In the house by clamor- j wild with gossip about everything and In iC for freedom, because. In the first i everybody. It's Just awful. Be of good CHAPTER XIV. Tht Prodigal Husband. LEE unlucky Brock, wild with race and chagrin, had paced his temporary prison In the top story of the Tirol from 11 o'clock till 2. bitterly cursing the fools who were keeping him In durance T rlne, there alrcndy had been scandal enough, anil In the second place, his fllstrustful bondsmen hnd promised faithfully to Bwk out the devoted Con nie and apprise her of his release. He bad no thought, of course, that in the meantime she might bo dupedjnto pay ing a bribe to the guard. Not on'y was he dlrefr.Ily cursing the trio, but also the addlepated Medcroft end his own nddlepated self.- It Is to t f"nrod that he had harsh thoughts of all the MedTofts. as far down as Itaezles. Ills dream of love and hap rinrs had turned Into a nightmare: the comedy hnd become a tragic snarl of all the effects known to melodrama. It occurred f him at 2 oVilock that fncing the floor in the agony of sus pense was a very useless occupation. He would co to bed. Mining would ri!rc relief and surcease to his trou bled mind Cortnnce was doubtless sound asleep in her room. Everything iwould have been explained to her long liefore this hour. She would under ?er.d. Fo. with the return of his old nophlstry, he undressed nud crawled Into the strange bed Somehow he did not l!!:e It as well as the cot in the bulcotiy below. heart, my beloved. I will be your faithful slave until death.' With love and adoration and kisses. Your own Constance. "P. 8. Bozbury has not made a sign. Edith is frantic." Several floors below the relieved and ecstatic Brock. Mrs. Medcroft was soon urging her sister to go to bed and let tha story go until daylight. Bbe persisted in telling all that she bad done and all that she bad endured. front ber with charges. It had occur red to ber that he might, after nlL have tricked her into committing a crime gainst the government. ' It was quite noticeable that Mrs. Rodney and Katberine did not speak to the Medcroft contingent In fact, they ignored them quite completely. Mrs. Rodney was very pale and very deeply distressed- She cast many glances at the red eyed and sheepish Mr. Rodney glances that meant much to the further torture of his soul. "I am sorry to inform you, Herr Rod ney, that the rooms which you now oc cupy and those of your friends are no longer at your disposal. They have been engaged for from some time this day by a" "Look here," interrupted Odell-Carney bluntly, "if you mean that we are not wanted here any longer, why not j matter, my wife may have something ... . . . I, files ana genuemen, permit me to In troduce Mr. Roxbury Medcroft, niy friend and fellow conspirator. He is i the husband of this lady, not I. I am i to be the husband of this lady, thank i God!" j There was a moment of absolute si-1 lence it may have been stupor. The two audiences faced each other with emotions widely at variance. It was Mrs. Rodney who spoke first "Is this true. Edith?" she quavered. "Yes, yes, yes!" cried Edith, her eyes dancing. "Then, what are you doing here with a man who Isn't your husband?" de manded Mrs. Rodney, suddenly aflame. "I can explain everything to you later on, Mrs. Rodney," Interposed Mrs. Odell-Carney calmly. She had divined at least a rortlon of the truth, and she was clever enough to put herself on the right side. Edith cast an Invol untary look of surprise at the English woman. "I have known everything from the first Mrs. Medcroft and I are closer friends than you may have thought" She gave Edith a meaning look and a moment later was whisper ing to-her in a private corner of the private office: "My dear, I don't know what it means, but you must tell me everything as soon as possible. I am your friend. Whatever it all Is, it's j ripping !" Medcroft finally waved every one aside "in the most degage manner Imaginable. "Don't crowd me! Hang it all, I'm not a curiosity. There Isn't anything to go crazy about My friend, Mr. Brock, has Just done me a trifling fa vor. That's alL The whole story will be in the London papers this morning. Buy 'em. I'm going np to my wife's room to 6ee my baby. I'll come do"wn and explain everything when I've had a bit of a breathing spoil. It's annoy ing to have had this fuss about a sim ple little matter of generosity on tho part of my friend, who. I've no doubt, has been a most exemplary husband. I'll see to If. by Gad, that he receives the proper apologies. And. for that 3RE YOU GOING TO WIN THE KIMBALL PLAYER PIANO? ; - CONTEST CLOSES THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18,' AT 6 P. M. FOR SOLVING THIS REBUS WE GIVE AWAY ABSOLUTELY FREE U MB -. 1JM I" i I ' OATS 1 :S h IT U say so? Don't lie about it We are leaving today, in any event, so wot's the odds? Now, come down to facts. Why are we summoned here like a 'We must never let blra know that j crowd of school children?" we actually gave that wretch nearly j The manager looked at Mr. Githens $2,.r00, Edith. He would never forgive j and then at the police officer. us. I admit that I was a fool and a ninny, so don't tell me I am. I can see by the way you are looking that you're Just crazy to. It's all Roxbury's fault, anyway. Why should he pet up and make a speech in London with out letting as know? Just see how it has placed us! I think Mr. Brock is on angel to do what he has done for you and Roxbury. Yes. my dear, you will have to confess that Koxbury is n brute a perfect brute. I'm sure., if jon have a spark of fairness In you. you must hate him. No. no! Don't say anything, Edith. You know I'm right." "I'm not going to sny anything." de- Just ns be was dropping off Into the long delayed sl'imbcr, he heard a light j flared Edith angrily tapping nt his door. He sat up in bed , nctl lil.e n flish. t!ori:;h'y wide awake. The nipping wa repeated, nut in i-autious ton's, ask It "Ahem! It seemsthat Herr Grab hetz of the police department desires to ask some questions of your party in my presence. You will understand, sir, that the hotel has been imposed upon by by these people. It seems, also, that the bank Insists upon having some light thrown upon the methods by which Mrs. Medcroft . secures money on her letter of credit" "You are welcome to all that, sir," declared Mr. Odell-Carney, "but I am interested to know Just why my wife and I are brought into this affair." "Because you are guests of Mr. Rod ney, sir, I regret to state. We have no complaint against you. sir. You are I'm going to; well known here. The the others are I not. They are what you call it? 'Edith, if you don't mind. doar. I j Humbugs! It may be that they also ITe called j think I'll sV-ep with you " After a mo- ' have swindled you!" who was I m.Tit of deep reflection she added I Mr. Rodney at this poict leaned t there, nt the sntne time slipping from plaintively: "There is so much that I j his feet and rushed over to shake his led to fumble in the darkners for his i just have to toll you. deary. It It ! fist lu the face cf the Insulting hotel clothes. , won't keep till drylijilit." i man. But Edith Medcroft arose sud- "'Shi" enne frrm the hallway ITe rushed over Mid put his e.".r ti the d'or. "It Is I. Are you a wake? I rn'j't stay li-to. It's wrons Listen. ITere's a note under tin- door Goad elicit, darling! I'm heartbroken." "Thank G'd. It's you!" he cried soft ly. "How 1 love you. Conetance!" Edith is with m?! Oh. I !b it were timming ar.d I could see you. I have so much to sny." . not her querulous pc broke in: "For heaven's :tke. Connie, don't stnnl here any longer. Our reputa tions are br,'l enough as It is Good right Iloxbury !" He distinctly heard tl.e hrnrtless Edith gig;le Then came t':e soft, quick swNh of garments and the iifictsirnnl visitors were gone. He picked up the envelope and. waiting fttll they wero safely down the hall, turned on the light. "Ii-aresf." he rend. "It was not my fmit nnd I know it was not yours. I'vt. oh. you don't know how I suffer- Bright and early In the morning the deuly like a tragedy queen and spoke, tired, harassed night farers v.Lre rout- j her clear, determined voice stilling the ed from their rooms by a demand from : turbulent spirit of her outraged host the management of the hotel that they ; "One moment, please." she said. ; appear forthwith in the private office, j "This all can be satisfactorily explain j This order included every member of ! ed. No wrong has been done. It will J Mr. Rodney's party, excepting the J ail be cleared tip in time. We' -I Medcroft baby. Considerably distress- j "In time?' interrupted the manager, j ed and very much concerned over the "Madam, this is the time. You are i probable outcome of the conference, here with a man who is not vour hus- ; the Rodney forces made their way to band, yet who purports to be such." j the offices not altogether in an open j "It may throw some light on the fashion, but by humiliatirgiy uousual matter If ! announce that the gentle avenues. The Rodney family camel man in question Is my athanced hus down the back stairs. Brock was sol- ? band." It was Miss Fowler who spoke, emnly ushered through the public of- j Every one stared at her cs she moved nV$ by Mr. Odell-Carney and Freddie over to Brock's side, t'l.-iervelt It is not stretching the "If you will look in the office you truth to say that they were sour and I will find a telegram there for me," sullen, but. as may be suspected, from j went on Mrs. Medcroft pale, but abao peculiarly different causes At last j lutely confident The manager called all were congregated In the stuffy of- out through the door. Absolute silence to say about the outrage that has been perpetrated." "When did you arrive, old man?" "Last night on the 12:10. I register ed as Smith. It was so late that I decided not to disturb Edith. They said in the office that you'd gone to bed. Brock. Now that I recall it. they said It In a very odd way too In fact one of the clerks asked If I had It in for you too." "You were hero all night?" murmur ed Constance in plaintive misery. "Well, not precisely nil night. Con nie. Half of It" replied Roxhur;. AN AN f 2501000? THE M$R- I O R HI lice, very much subdued and much at ojtfs with each other. Mr. I "No telegram for Mrs. Medcroft Inst (Jithens was there. Likewise the gen-1 night or todav." announced the man- el sll through thoe hours of waifng i tleruan from the back and a protni- j ager sternly as be glanced through the .1... . r.. 'ri... -i : n . A .... pi u.- i.ia'. i uv (tin lii'i nun uitr t after '2 They were drunk They po ice tried to explain What (! you think Miss Fowler g'aneed about uneasily and was relieved to discover that her treacherous J::i'er was t V there to con the authorities wi'l do to me if they f r.d that 1 gae that horrid man bribe very reigned while the reply was awaited. nent person from the department of slim buncfc of bine envelopes. "There are four here for a Mr. Brock, who has not yet arrived in" This New Illustrated Book For Every Reader mlr .r ac am.., - i?n AND'THECM n 1 PRESENTED -BY THE ROCK ISLAND ARGUS. SEPT. IS . A3 t fLAI NED tit LOW See the Great Canal in Picture and" Prose mm Si Read How You May Have It Almost Free Cut oat h above ronpoa, and prtsrnt It at tbl offira with the rx prnt amnvot herein r4 ppoit lb frrlertrd (wbirh covers tha hi-ma of tbo root of px-klnr. from ftio fuctorr, cltrrkior, clerk biro and otber aecmaiT tXTKNbE llonu), and reccito roar cImiIto of ' th4 Imnltt - i - - i-l m ' - 1 . . -.i I , t - -1 1 ... rAIMARXi a writer of international renown, and is the acknowl X AND THE 1 edged standard reference work of the grrat Canal Zone. t r m m.t m w It is a fplcndiJ large book of almost 500 pages. 9x12 I vili Alj) inche in size; printed from new type, large and clear. M fitr of Pros y on special paper; rouna in iropicai rea vellum clotn ; J A ntiivTBirrn " title stamped in gold, with inlaid color panel: contains 4 rDtrini V,rore ,han magnificent illustrations, including beau- ta . . tiful pages reproduced from water color studies in col- T is tp.at lar suroa ' and fee this beautiful book that would sell for $4 under , renditions. !v.t whicn is presented to our readers for SIX latct, and only tbo .39 and 6 Certifieatoi a crnaittons, nv.t wmcn is presenteu 10 our r O the abovo Certificates of conMcutivo da ASnt by Mail. Poataf Paid, for $1 uual i I 98c P..,.,. ?,.J RaruUr octavo aiac: tort inaMef practically tbo aamo ai tt- M ( O uuu i auw unit: bou ; bound in blua voiiua doth; contain only 100 photo- :iV- ' a-T-aphie rrnrodortiona. and tho color plates aro I trI"SE Ue V,anai omitud. Thl book would eU at 2 andar usual caodi. AoMaalal l PCTtVO Hon, but t praoaniea to our rrklnri ror 8iX ot tbo JO it tClTiOn , bor Cortiflcata of coaocativo datea and only tbo IOC Sent by Mall. Poataga Paid, for 67 Centa and 6 Certificate t "BrocWl" shouted three voices In one. . A tall man. forgetting his English i and his eyeglass, sprang forward and ! grabbed tBe tcleirrama from the min- ager's hand. "Holy mackerel! Give 'em here.'" he shouted. Two eager, beautiful young women were hanging i to his elbows as be ruthlessly broke one of the seals. "The chump! It's from Rox! They're all from Rox and they are two or three days oldi" Just then the unexpected happened. 'ASP! RBI The Real Roxbury Medcroft Stepped Into the Room. "Brock, you ass.J telegraphed yon 1 wes coming and asked you to meet me at the station. I telegraphed twico from London and" "Don't call me an ass," grated Brock. "Why didn't you send 'em to mc as Medcroft? I haven't been Brock until this very morning." " Ton my soul. Brock, It was rather i etupid of me," he confessed sheepish, ly. "But, you see." with an inspired 6mile. "one of em was to congratulate you on winning Connie. By Jove, yon .know, I couldn't very well address that one to myself." "But but he hrfdn't w-on me," stam mered Constance Kowler. "Edith." said Uoxbury, deep reproach in nis voice, "you wrote me that a ONE $700.00 KIMBALL ' PLAYER-PIANO ONE $200.00 CREDIT ORDER In addition .to the above Valuable First Prizes We Will Give Away the Following: CREDIT ORDERS . , 10 Credit Orders of $100 each 10 Credit Orders of $90 each 20 Credit Order of $75 each 10 Credit Orders of $93 each 10 Credit Order of $85 each 15 Credit Orders of $80 each 25 Credit Order of $70. each 50 Credit Order of $60 each 30 Credit Order of $65 each 100 Credit Orders of $50 each Good on the Purchase Price of any New High-Grade Piano or Player-Piano In our Store. WHAT THE CONTEST IS This Is a contest based lfpon the correct solution of the Kebus shown here. All informal. on asked for must be given us in full and this information be sent in with the solution of the Rebus. Use in formation blank. j SPECIAL NOTE We trust every one in this city and surrounding territory will participate in this contest as no hampering conditions are attached and everybody has an equal opportunity. There is no' fee to pay. or obligation of any kind incurred in entering the contest. TVe believe that this contest will surely contribute greatly to the encouragement and stimulation ot interest in music with all its refining home influences. , READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY ' Give the solution of the Rebus, then fill out tho information blank, giving your full name and all other information calied for. State what kind of instrument you have, if any. Forward your solution as soon as possible, together with tho information, blank to Rebus Department in care of this firm. WHY THIS OFFER 13 MADE. This extraordinary offer Is made because .at our desire to compile a mailing list of all the homes without instruments in this city and surroundins country. Our experience has shown the value of this pysteni, because by its use we can secure, the. information desired more quickly and economically than we could by spending twice the sum by using solicitors and canvassers. . . . 2ULES GOVERNING CONTEST AND VA WARDS. The answers submitted by contestants of the Rebus will be examined a short time previous to the Hate on which awards are to be made. The answers will then he examined in the presence of three impartial judges, gentlemen of the highest integrity selected from well known newspaper or advertis- ing men and who are in no way connected with the music industry, ,hose decisions will be final and irrevocable. AGAIX WE SAY, m V Don't fail to participate as this is a golden opportunity. If you want one of the above awards hur ry your answer to the Rebus. The correct solution of this Rebus expresses a statement of fact extremely complimentary to 'the Kimball Pi3iio and should there be more than one correct answer or should two or more tie in being correct, or near correct in their solution, awards wiil then be inada to the contestant presenting his" or her solution displayed in the most attractive manner and of the greatest value to us from an ad vertising standpoint as judged by the newspaper or advertising men. If you r.re fortunate in getting one of our Credit Orders as an award and already have a piano, the order may he disposed of to some one lees fortunate, providing such transfer Is properly endorsed by us. There are no limits or restrictions as to the number of contestants in any family, but only one award will be given in such family. Only one Credit Order "an be applied on, the purchase of any instrument. Every contestant par ticipating in this contest will receive a Credit Order of $2o good on the purchase of any new piano. None of those prizes will he awarded to any one employed by this Phmo House or connected In any way with the palo of musical instruments and all artists or special engravers are barred from par-, ticlpat ng in the contest. INFORMATION BLANK. DON'T DELAY.. SEND AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE PLEASE FiLL OUT THIS BLANK AND WRITE PLAINLY ADDRESS Name Date Postoffice Street and Number, Telephone (Name of Paper) , If under. age, give parent's initials Have you a Piano? Send you solution to the Rebu. .Write neatly and plainly. Attach same 10 Vie information blank and mail as soon a possible. BOWK'S MUSIC USE, 1609 SECOND AVENUE, ROCK ISLAND, ILIISOIS The office door opened with a bang, j ".eek a0-" . Edith merely squeezed his : anrj the real Roxbury Medcroft step- j ped Into the room. He baited Just In arm. Odell-Carney came forward and ex- ' ide the door and looked about in mo- i tended his hand. ."Permit me to intro- mentary bewilderment. ; duce myself, eir. I am George Odell- "This Is a private" began the man- I iger, stepping forward. A flying fig j ure sped past him; a delighted little j shriek rang In his ears. He saw Edith ! Medcroft burl herself into the arms of j ber own husband. At the same mo ' ment Brock bounded across the room ! and pounced eagerly upon the welcome I Intruder. ! "Thl is my husbandr cried Edith, ! triumph In ber voice, tears In ber eyes. "Xow, what have you to Bay?"' CHAPTER XV. What 7 A not hi' Husband. IT was a perfectly natural, but not an especially obvious question. The little mansger threw np bis hands and cried out in a cad mixture of French, English and Hel vetian: "What? Mother husband? Madam, how many more do yon propose to in flict cs with? We cannot allow It! The management will not permit you to change husbands the Instant a new guest arrives in the bouse. It Is Dot to be beard of no. no!' "Are you afraid that the books won't balance?" asked Brock, with a joyous grin, a great load off h'.s heart. Xa- ore to serve you without knowing you. In my catalogue of personalities you have posed intermittently as a dem med bounder, a deceived husband, a betrayed lover, a successful lover and lot of otber things I can't Just cow recall. Acting on the presumption that you might have been a friend In dis tress, I worked bard in your Interest Now I discover, to my gratification, you are a perfect stranger, whom I am proud to meet Termlt me to offer my warmest felicitations and to as sure you that Mr. Brock will make a splendid brother-in-law." He hesitat ed a moment and then went on: "So yon are the chap that really put In those c'nfended memorial windows. 'Pon me word. sir. they are -the rot tenesf "Carney!" came the sharp reminder from bis wife. "I should have said." revised Mr. Odell-Carney. "you are the chap who played the deuce with the building grafters in the county council. Be markabler "Yes," said Roxbury. striving to srasp something of the situation as It appeared to the other. "We beat them. The bill Is lost It will never go to the council. .The subcommittee jvL. not recommend It." Thanks, Brook,' old man. Vou have saved London a good many millions, I daresay. It was you who did It after all." Before noon the hotel was agog with the full details of the remarkable sto ry. Cabled dispatches In the newspa pers gave the gist of the clever trick played by the Medcrofts, and the whole of England was to ring with the stories of Mrs. Medcroft's pluck and devotion. The management of the Tirol implor ed the Medcrofts to remain forever! The bank and the police were profuse In apologies and explanations, and Mr. Githens departed by the first train. Freddie Ulstervelt, killing two birds with one stone, arranged a splendid dinner for that night in honor of the prodigal husband of Edith and also in open compliment to the vivacious Mile. Le Brun. Later In the day it occurred to him that be might Just as well kill three birds as two, so be planned to an nounce the betrothal of Miss Howler and Mr. Brock, the wedding to take place a fortnight hence in Mayfair. The Rodneys were Invited to "stop over" for the spread. It Is left fox the reader to supply the answer to this imple question: Did they stop over? THB E3D. R. C. Shepherd, New York; inspector general, Alfred G. Binder, Philadel phia; Judge advocaite general, Lem uel Fugltt, Washington; surgeon gen eral. Dr. J.. E. HendTlckson, Phoebus, a. - Philadelphia The national en campment of the Army and Navy union ended with the election of sen ior vice commander O. H. Kurts, St. Louis; Junior vice commander, John P. Caugher, Fortress Monroe; adju tant, general. Captain Thomas H. Avery, Brooklyn; paymaster general. Illinois Vulcanizing and Rubber Co. (Rear of 1121 Fourth avenue) Let us vulcanize that bad automobile tire of yours. Send your tire to us and the work will be done to your en tire satisfaction. We do the best of work and our prices are most rea sonable. ? AH Vork Called For and Delivered Telephone Rock Island 2803. H. E. SCH2EINER, Prop. P. TOMLINSON, Mgr. V