The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-12-03
THE TWO LOVERS.

IF it we're for your own good, Sylvia,
or If [ even thought the man really
loved you, would never try to hold
you back from marrying him. But you
don't know him as / do, dear. IL you
could hear and see him of an evening
in the billiard-room at the Clarendon
half intoxicated and swearing over his
bad luck, you would soon lose this fool
ish fancy for him. And he talks of
women, too, in q shameful way. No
man worth the name would" r.
That is quite enough, Mr.. Max
we'll, ~ exclaimed Sylvia Lee, who had
been listening to the young farmer s lee
ture with ill-concealed Impotence. f'If
Philip Carr amuses himself. in such
places, is he any worse than youP By
your own account you frequent them
yourself.
..Only since this fellow came here to
bewitch you, SYLVIA said George
Maxwell. II have watched him, but it
was for your sake.'' E
s.Never mind, George. Icannot hear
another word,'' said the dark, bright
young beauty, looking nervously to-
ward pretty bower of honeysuckles at
the lower end of the garden in which
they stood. 81 may as we'll tell you at
once that love him with all my heart,
and that have promised to marry him
on the day when my grandfather gives
his consent
'.Dr. Lee will never do that" began
George. He has always wished you
to marry me, Sylvia. And Lob, you
kaoto how my whole heart has been
fixed upon you ever since we were lit
tie children playing about this dear old
farm together"
The girl flushed up and seemed to
hesitate She had loved George Max
well. Nay, she loved him now, al
though she knew it not.
The leaves shook and rustled. al
though there was not a breath of wind
stirring among the trees. 1872
Sylvia's eve caught the movement,
and her color grew deeper STILL.
alt cannot be, George ~ she said
sadly. II must 60 away must see
the world. And he can show it to
me-"
She drew her hand away and ran
back to the house before George Max
well could utter 3 word. After a few
moments he mounted his fast gray mare
and rode swiftly to the hillside farm
which was his own; and from her win
dow, screened by the curtains, Sylvia
watched him out of sight. For the last
timel She knew it well. George Max
well was proud. He would not kneel
to sue for love that was denied. no
matter what he might suffer through its
loss He would come no more.
For weeks Sylvia had said to herself
that their tacit engagement was broken.
Now that it was done, she sat down
and looked at Georges picture on the
wall and cried rs IL her heart would
break.
From the garden, from the honey
suckle bower, came the clear, thrilling
notes of a bird-a call that she had lis
tened to many time during the weeks
Just fed. Now she heard IL with start
of fright. Her tears ceased.
1--WE kept him waiting SO long! Will
he be angryp'1 she thought; as, all In
furry of agitation, she bathed her face
and arranged her hair. and tied the
crimson ribbons afresh that fastened
the lace frills al her throat and wrists.
She stole down the front stairs softly.
The warm, perfumed twilight was drop
ping down above the earth like mani
Gle of darkness and secrecy. @
Down to the arbor sped Sylvia, sure
that she was safe from every eye. And
in the arbor she was met by tall.
distinguished-look man. who lifted
her small white hand to his lips. attsss
'.How long you have been. my dear
est" he said relroachfdlly. drawing
her 10 the seat taat circ,ed the arbor
Il began to fear that you were going
to desert me and cling to the young
farmer. after ALL"
''He has gone. / shall mot see him
again. DONE talk about him, please"
said Sylvia rather unsteadily. ali.e
4 hope you don't regret him. dar-
ling said the silky voice. ITO live
with him on one of these dreary, lonely
farms! 1t weuid be an awful fate
for one SO bright aud fair. Wait ti@l
you see the oleg;t'sce, the luxury, the
perfect comfort of q city home: and
then say ii you ave sorry for places like
these. You will say goodbye to pow.
erty, dear, once you are my bride
Poverty Why. have never been
poor" exclaimed Sylvia. 'sGrandpapa
is the richest man in Clinton, and he
has always given me everything that l
wishe6 for"
81 know know" said Philip Carr,
glancing back rather eontemptuously
at the square, red brick house. .sThe
farm is his, / hear. But what is that
to such a home as oifer you?''
.'The farm is only small part of
grandpapa's wealth, y said Sylvia, who.
in spite Of her it!fatnation, slightly re-
scented this persistent underwriting of
her family and friends.
1t was not the first time that he had
talked in that way. Should she-should
she tell him secret which would make
him approach her grandfather with
moro ,.eS,,eet when he went to ask his
consent to their marriagep 1t might
be well to do SO.
"But MINIS bank account tells the
storygof his property, love" said Philip
caretessfv s.Aiid youe grandfather has
none at Clinton. S. the people say. But
what iro..s that ma ferp'' he added.
Changing lis ne. Il marry you for
love, mi for money. my darling
q ssP'il. will tel you something. only
Sou must keep h. s. eret faithfully,
<aid the foolish girl. .Grandpapa. has
z horror of banks. He keeps MS money
here at home
II n