The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-11-12


soule Fathern-and she c1asped his
arm with both her hands. and gazed
piteonsly ut him--.'do you really mean
that there is no escape for me-that I
must become his wife?''
Hester, child of mine must not be
called a jift and dishonorable by the
world, and it would be dishonor on
your part to draw back now.'
'sThen God help me, since you won't!
Oh. that I might die before to-mor-
row. she murmured with heartfelt
psthos.
'sHesterr'
For once the father shone out of
the steely gray eyes, and misty look
came over them. The sight touched
her at once. ft
Forgive me for worrying you.'' she
pleaded. 81 suppose YOU are right.
and that everything should be sacrificed
TO honor. will GO and resign myself
and she turned quietly to 60 away.
Mr.. Kyrle stopped and pressed kiss
on her forehead. He was not demon
strative man, and the caress was SO
rare that the girl looked up at him visit
fully and in astonishment.
'My poor childr' he faltered.
When she was gone. John Kyrle went
back to his chair, and bent over an
open book; but the muscles round his
mouth twitched nervously, and he
brushed away with shaky hand drop
that glittered on the page before him.
CHAPTER II.
chester, you are late,'' Mrs. Kyrle
remarked, in a petulant voice. as she
swept into her daughters room on the
morning of the wedding.
ssHeStar'' did not Seam To he con-
scious if she was late. She leaned list
Iessly against the easement in loose
white wrapper; her long golden hair
was unbound, and her face was very
pale and wan. But it was her eyes
that were strange; they wore scared
look and deep shades underlined them.
Sam I?'' was all she answered, with
out moving from her position; and the
tone of her voice struck painfully on
her mothers ear. -..-
Mrs. Kyrle-foolish, frivolous and
underlined Mrs. Kyrle-had plumed
herself on having achieved a stroke of
diplomacy; and the serious tone of her
daughters voice depressed her exulta-
ton to an unpleasant degrees. The
suffering that had been legibly written
on Hester's face during the latter days
had brought few quakes to her con-
science now and then, and not all the
specious arguments that egotism finds
to justify itself to its worshippers could
quite smother the reproach of the still
small voice that would assert itself.
81 am acting for her good, and she
will thank me for it hereafter" was
the stereotyped phrase by which she
sought to salSe the whispers of con-
science.
s'Turn, Hester, and let me see if you
are looking your best. as you are in du-
ty bound to do to-day"
There was no answer. The girl did
not heed or even appear to hear the
words, but stood gazing vacantly up
into the blue sky. where some feathery
clouds were floating slowly by.
at is time that you were dressing"
Mrs Kyrle went on in accents that had
grown sharper through Hesters ST.
lence.
Eyes answered the voice; but the
figure never stirred.
Leave her TO me, Mrs. Kyrle," and
girl in bridesmaids gear came for
ward from the other end of the room.
s.Trust to me that Hester shall be
ready by the time the clock strikes
eleven"
..Thank you, Maude. / viii leave
that YOU will find it = difficult one"
And Mrs. Kyrle rushed angriy out
of the room.
Hester, you must DRESS"
And Maude Wymer threw her arm
round the girl and tried to draw her
round.
VERY well.'' --. .
And this time the figure did move.
Hester walked firmly across the room,
and delivered herself passivcly into the
maids and Maude's hands, and in a
little while she stood arrayed in her
satin dress, with coronet of orange
flowers browning her brow.
.tYou look lovely. Hester; just q
shade too white, perhaps, but beautiful
as a dream. Does she not, Amer
cried Maude enthusiastically.
Miss Kyrle looks lovely, but she is a
great deal too white; she looks just
like bride of DEATH"
ssOh, hush, Annei Hester, you had
better sit here until it is time to 60
down"
81 should like to go to the window, y
was the quiet answer. '.Please raise
it, Maude; / feel sti1ed.'
at is a delicious day; the air is SC
full OF fragrance, and the sun shines sc
bright 1t is q happy bride that the sun
shines on, you know" Maude said.
pushing the sash up; then she drew
forward an arm-ciair. into which Hes
ter sank.
ssYou are erush;ngsyour dress! And
| If you lean back Ike, that you will spoil
| your flowers and vril."
The bride-eleet looked up at the re.
monstrance, and gave little wistful
smile
.tYou can put me- to rights to-mor-
row, Maudc; 1 am. so tired to-day"
And she YEARLY closed her eyes.
Maude Wymer gaz d at her in
dismay and surprise. Then she went
and sat down little way off A thous
and trihes, light as air at the time,
seemed to her now as confirmation
strong of doubts regarding this mar
riage that had occasionally arisen in
her mind Size was an intelligent girl
| and in a few minutes she realized Hes
ter's pitiable condition. Hester was
/ going mad at her fate, was the tliough
! that flashed Through her mind as she
/ watched her sitting or sleeping sc
strangely then.
| Suddenly throng of girls appeared
ut the door. They were Maude's sister
bridesmaids, and after exchanging 4
/ word with her. they walked toward the
/ window.
..Hester is asleep" whispered one OF
them in astonishment, and the Others
moved softly and spoke in hushed tones
as they gathered round the chair.