The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-09-14

society. lie naU not IoFBOtttH SOyD OH,
but she was to him as one of the dead,
and his love was such bootless passion
that he hoped to- forget it in brilliant
marriage perhaps with Miss Gertrude
de Veau.
All these things came floating back
to Warren on the wings of memory as
he held the Easter-card befo re him.
1t had been Just at this time that he
had parted last from Sybil. How well
he remembered the day and the circum-
stance
She had been in the little Hallicote
chapel where he had been to find her.
1t was fair lAprihday, and she was
busy preparing the altar for the Easter
service.
She had told him that she was to
superintend the decorations, and when
he went to say goodbye to her. he had
taken with him a rustic cross of his
own manufacture, which he had twined
with lilies and with passson-fiowers.
If seemed like yesterday that he had
stood before her and seen the pleased
look on her sweet face as he held bis of
fering up for her to admire.
And what did il mean? AS he sat
there before the glowing fire this came
back to him with more distinctness
than recollection. TWAS reproduced
on the. pretty card Miss de Veau had
sent him.
1t may have been only a coincidence,
he thought, as his heart gave bound
of recognition; but there was the tall
window of stained glass, through which
the rainbow-eolored light fell on SYPHILIS
beautiful hair. and the white futed
columns of the altar. There was the
marble font bathed in pure rose-color,
the pile of flowers at SYPHILIS feet, and he
standing before her in his sailor clothes,
holding up the. cross with look of in
terrogation. That was he-yeSi And
it must be Sybil! He said SO, though
the girls face was turned aside, and
only a shadowy glimpse of her profile
was discernable.
1t was a beautiful picture. Warren
saw that at glance; but who was the
artist? 1t must be someone who had
known Sybil. someone who had witness
ed their parting that Easter-tide.
The thoughts and suggestions that
crowded Warren's brain seemed to set
it on fire, He rose and paced the room
with feeling of unrest. A hundred
emotions which he had thought were
dead and buried came throngfng back
to his heart at this touch upon the harp
string of memory.
''Ah, Miss Gertrude de Veau, your
selection was peculiarly unfortunate.
When the hands of the clock were
pointing to eleven. Warren had put on
his overcoat and was ready to go out.
The Easter-card was in his vest
pocket, but in a memorandum-book
which he!carried in his hand was written
the name and address of the firm which
had reproduced SO exactly this scene
from his unforgotten past.
''Can you tell me. SIR" Warren ask
ed of the senior partner, ''who is the
author of this design / have taken
fancy to it. and would like to know the
artists name.'
Oh was the prompt reply, ''that |
is one of our prize cards. 1t was drawn |
by Mr.. Temple"
Somehow Warren's heart sunk at this |
response.
He had not known himself of all the |
hopes which he had cherished, and the |
name of Mr.. Temple struck him like
blow.
Have you his address?' he asked |
slowly.
Il can get it for you." the gentleman
answered. t'Our cashier has it, but he
is out at present"
"Will you do me the favor of send |
ing it to me as soon rs possible?''
Certainly, sir"
So Warren turned his steps homeward, |
his heart filed with deep uncontrola-
BILE sadness.
1t was evening when messenger-boy |
left at the door a card for Lieutenant |
Clyde, on which was written: "Francis |
Temple, 1Gillam-court, Upstairs. -
IT will goto-merrow morning, ~ War
rem murmured. Il must see him at |
once"
So it happened that instead of the
handsome escort which Miss de Veau |
bad hoped would, stop for her on Easter
there came only basket of |
flowers, with lieutenant Clyde COM
pliments and best wishes for q happy |
Easter"
While Miss Gertrude was kneeling
over the litany, brooding upon the lieu
tenants non-appearance, Warren was
making his way in an impatient mood
TO No.-Gil1am Court.
1t was an obscure and odious street;
put, in the clear sunlight, he detected
afar off the signof little gilded palette,
On which the name of Francis Temple
was painted in script letters.
Upstairs he went, and knocked at
door on which the same name appeared
over the simple word, studio
In moment he was admitted by a
man, who stopped great
deal, and walked with an effort
Il wish to seeMr Temple" Warren
said pleasantly.
''What did you say, STRIP the old man
snquired. Excuse me, but L am very
Deaf