The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-12-10

black ringlets that rippled In tiny ten
Gsiis about the neck and brow. It wa.
that OF young girl whose simple blacl
dress was concealed beneath rough
half-fallen cloak of gray. She wore
small black hat; and traveling-bas
was at her side. Arrested as by an APP
partition, the lady stood motionless o.
the girl, clasping her white hands, sait
in pure ne1odions English:
''Oh, madam, do you know where mi
mother is?'a
my poor child,n compassionately
said the lady; stwho is your mother?''
Madame Adelaide Karlski." said the
girl, shrinking from the gaping faces
that passed near; s.she is in New York.
have come snch along way. and I am
so tired.n -.s5aa &.
At the name of Karlski, the listener
face flushed, then pa1ed, as il she had
received a shock. Involuntarily she
withdrew o pace or two; but all uncon-
scious of the movement, the young
stranger came nearer, still appealing in
tones that thrilled the nearer:
s'0h, you have kind face. Won't
You take me to my motherpn
Rejecting moment, then hurriedly
looking about her, the lady dropped
her voice, though the din of unknown
tongues was already deafening, and
said:
Where are the people that came
with youe You did not make the yoy-
age alone?"
mo, madam; but they are all strange.
They were good to me, but they don't
care for me; they don't know me. Only
take me away from all reminders of
Cfxs Ea1r -
mother and the young creature chung
to her new friend.
s'Hush, child. Come with me. [ will
take care of you."
Quietly but swiftly the two passed out
at the open door and across the Bat
terry. Soon the lady hailed cab and
babe tho man drive to a number on
Fifth avenue. g.
Unwilling to risk another refusal,
Courtney Lenox wrote a brief note to
the commissioner at the desk, asking if
the name of Rosafie Karlsk had been
registered that day among the Russian
immigrants. What was his dismay TO
receive an affirmative repiyi Hurrying
headlong through q gate that was just
then unlocked he scanned every face in
the inclosure with sort of desperation,
and was just turning away hopeless
when policeman courteously remind
ed him that he could not remain here.
$50 I've been told" the young man
bitterly replied. Your accursed re-
strictions may cost life. F"
Sure of finding the girl somewhere
about the institution, he CURLY left the
surprised official and went outside.
He inquired at every gate. Yes, q
lady had passed with a young girl, but
the man didn't remember what she was
like. The two had gone away in car
riage. Ladies from the city often took
away the new girls.
Unable to curb his apprehensions,
Courtnay Lenox fastened back into the
building where the chattering immi-
grants still swarmed, and succeeded in
having inquiries made of the little knot
of Russians around one of the stoves.
They were found to be in great trou-
BILE about Rosalie, who, they reported
had been intrusted to them by stran-
ger, who said the girls friends would
meet her at the New York landing.
How she got separated from them they
did not know.
The mystery deepened. Courtney
dared not tell his aunt the truth. He
would say there were tidings, Rosalie
was coming, and would then diligently
advertise in the city for the missing
girl.
. Slowly and thoughtfully he walked
home. /.
One year passed by. In vain had
Courtney Lenox advertised. In vain
had the grief-stricken, desolate mother
sought her child. For Madame Karlski
did not die.
When the truth was known to her the
very light of reason had seemed fled,
and to this temporary madness she was
indebted for her life.
After many days thus trembling in
the balance health and strength slowly
came back. and with them the determi-
nation to find her child.
Inquiries had been zealously made,
but as yet without result. The cabman
who conveyed the two ladies from the
vicinity of Castle Garden on that par
ticular occasion was readily found. as
was also the house to which he had
driven; but the cabman did not know
that as soon as he was out OF sight the
elder lady had conducted her charge to
O street railway, and from thence to
handsome residence few blocks dis
EanI. AuO SIlll va WIKI Ao7s
girl remained unfathomed.
A crisp October day found Madame
Karlski beside her drawing-room win
dow looking out Mt the hurrying throng
with her now customary gaze of intense
yearniug She was not alone. On a
sofa lounged her handsome nephew,
Courtnay Lenox, quiet and thoughtful.
COURTNEY, what has come over You
of latep'' asked the lady.
stWere / inclined TO be witty, aunt, i
might confess that something has very
much overcome me of late, - replied he,
with light laugh.
Courtney, it can't be--you are not
it is no love affairp" said the other.
with an anxious look
Something very like it, however,
aunt. Don't look SO startled. A fell
low can'thelp these things, You know"
e.Alas, then. for my hopesp' she said.
with ill-repressed bitterness. ''You
know, Courtnay, how l have set my
heart upon your union with Rosalie. l
know she still lives. l often feel that
she may be near me. And yet, shall i
never unravel the fearful secret of her.
fateP My heart is breaking with hope
deferred"
AUNT" said Courtnay. after pause,
s.could anyone have a motive in keep
ing her hidden from you?'
A deeper shade of sorrowful anguish
tinged the worn but still beautiful feat
ures as she replied: ~
~ have enemies. my boy. One can
not be mixed up in political feuds and
escape them. If | were only assured
L. II