The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-08-05
HIS SECOND LOVE.

liage that surrounded them, sat two
people, conversing in low and earnest
tones, SO absorbed in themselves that
even the soft melodious strains of Dies
Lie6en Iaage1a Tag which fioated
towards them from the adjacent ball
room upon the still evening breeze,
failed to draw them from the retreat
which they had sought.
One, at least, paid no heed to the
sounds. Time was, and that not long
since. that Harold Courthope would
have thought the world held no greater
bliss for him than to hold Eva Cress-
ingham's slim waist encircled by his
arm while they conversed; but now he
had more serious thoughts, more ar
dent wishes concerning her. and it was
to plead for the fulfilment of those
wishes that he had drawn her away
from where she would fain have STAYED,
dreading the explanation which she
foresaw was inevitable when Harold,
instead of leading her to her place,
when he offered his arm for the dance,
for which his name stood upon her
daintily painted little programme, set
down there by his own hand with the
exquisite gold pencil set with diamonds
he had himself presented TO her as a
window, across the narrow strip of
moon-lit lawn, and sought this sheltered
retreat, where Eva knew she must at
last be forced to throw aside all con-
cealment, and shatter at once and for
ever the hopes that her conscience told
her all too plainly she had fostered.
She would have escaped if possible,
but it was not to be. Harold held her
too firmly for that, and without attract
ing notice-which she did not consider
desirable-she could hardly release her
hand from his arm, SO she made a vir-
tue of necessity, and suffered him to
lead her where he would, inwardly
quaking, yet none the less resolved up
on her course.
1t must be, she decided. It had been
q very pleasant dream while it lasted,
but dream that must have come to a
close some time or other, for though
she liked Harold very much, she never
could be his wife, that was certain
She was sorry for him, too, sorry that
she had encouraged his attentions and
given him room for hope; but it had
not been of set purpose-she had not
dreamed of such result in the begin
ming, and she could only hope that
Harold would be sensible and not take
the blow too much to heart.
While he-ahi he thought, what would
life be to him without that fair presence
by bis side!
Fair, indeed. and pleasant to look
upon, was Eva Cressingham. A slight
but rounded figure of exquisite proper
tions, surrounded by face and head
most beautiful. Dark. but with the
rich, warm hue of the sunny South, moi
that unhealthy sallowness of skin which
characterizes the brunette of our north
ern ATTITUDES. A mouth like rosebud,
which when the lips parted disclosed
teeth of pearly whiteness and perfect
regularity; eyes large and melting with
liquid tenderness; a wealth of cluster
ing hair, and--crowning charm OF all
that "most excellent thing in wom
an sweet, melodious voice.
Such was Eva Cressinghan1, and hel
companion, in his fresh young man
hood, was well fitted by nature for heI
mate.
But it was not to be. He had spoken
at last. and learned the truth. and there
was something of anger in his voice a:
lie made answer:
s.Why. if this was 10 be the end of i
all, have YOU allowed me to nurse sucf
hopes as you must have perceived. tt
exist, as / have done this lIstlf-year pas
i'm a fools paradise of my own max
ingP' he said, bitterly.
Ill didn't know didn't mean,
she faltered. her eyes dropping beneath
his reproachful gaze.
ssDidnat know! Answer me truly, j
YOU can" he said, ''Do you really anC
truly mean that you cannot be m.
wifep''
Il really and truly mean 1 cannot b.
your wife. :"
And Harold Courthope frowned, anC
looked vexcd and disappointed anG
sad, and even angry at the petite
charming little lady. who had playet
such terrible havoc with his heart from
almost the very first moment he haC
seen her just six months ago.
He had been her most assiduous pre-
| tendu, and had told her weeks befor
this how he loved her and wanted he
for his wife. And the answer had beer
the same-she loved him dearly, dear
", but she could not be his wife, be
cause she had been engaged to Mr.
Bellingham for-oh, ages, it seemed tt
her
But You don't care for him, Eva
you don't love him, do you?"
s.No, don't. How could /, when
never even have seen him?"
s'Never have seen him? Why, is /
possible? Never have seen your futur,
YOUR betrothed husband, meanp"
She shook her pretty little head.
'.No. But papa and he are oil
friends. and he is very rich, and yer.
learned, and papa thinks there is NJ
one in the world like Mr.. Boiling
| ham"
.eYour fathers old friend! Is that an
| reason?'' holly exclaimed Harold
How can you marry him, and yet
love mep Do you love me, EvaP"
| And there was a wonderful thrill o
| passion in his eager question as b
| dropped his dark head toward he
| face. s.
'.Oh, you know itr' she whispered.
s.And yet you will not break your alb
surd engagement with man you neV
er even saw"
The bio tears started to Eya's eyes
and her little rosebud mouth quivered
ssYou are cruel" she sobbed, st
talk SO TO me, when you know how
| love you. But cannot disobey papa
do not wish to go contrary to hi
! wishes
81 cannot understand any such sen
/ timent.' he answered, hotly. IF yol
loved me, you would give this absur'
engagement up-you would marry m
in spite of all the money, all the father
| in the world
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