The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-10-24


such love as could wish might crown
my darling's life with lasting joy-such a
love as yol. might find in q union with
Angus Anglesea, if you would but give
him the opportunity of winning your
heart"
Madam exclaimed the girl, starting
to her feet and gathering her black brows
over black eyes that blazed with indigna-
ton. Il hate Colonel Angleseal I hate
him and I fear himt And would rather
| de this day and never behold the face of
LIE again, than listen to Colonel Anglesear'
'tOdalitei Odalite, my child You are
alking to your mother. Come to my
heart again, and calm your excitement"
said the lady, holding out her arms.
And the young girl fell weeping upon the
bosom of her mother.
The lady allowed some time to pass in
which the girls paroxysm of tears exhaust
ed itself. and then caressing her gently,
she began, in soothing tone:
my precious child, do you doubt your
| mothers love or TRUTH"
ooh, no. no, no! How could you ask
such question of your own child,
mother?" earnestly protested Odalite
"Do you doubt that duty is to be held
above all other considerations"
t'Well, then, l have something to tell you
my darling, which will make you forget all
selfish aims, and even also the wishes of
your old playmate. Come with me to
your own bed-chamber, where we shall be
more secure from all interruption. [ will
tell you of a fatal episode in my own
youth, when / was younger even than you
are now. Oh, that l should have to tell
such tale to my daughterl But Odalite,
when you have heard it you will learn just
hat haxr 40 oil
and especially to save your noble, generous,
honorable father from ruin and disgrace.
And then, Odalite, when you have learned
all, you shall do exactly as you please.
Not one work of coercion, not another
word of persuasion, will l utter. | will
leave our fate in your hands and you
shall be absolutely free to act. Come with
me now.
She took her daughters arm and they
arose from the sofa.
For a moment they stood, quite accident
ally. facing tall mirror between two win
dows on the opposite side of the room, and
that mirror for the moment reflected two
beautiful forms, of which it would be diff
cult to decide which should bear off the
palm for the beauty
The elder lady, Elfrida Force-wife of
Abel Force, the owner of the Mondreer,
shore of Maryland-was TALL stately
blonde, with a superbly rounded form,
rich complexion, and an aff1uence of golden
brown hair. ripping all over her fine head,
and gathered into mass at the nape of
her graceful neck. She wore an inexpen-
sive, closely fitting dress of dark blue
serge, whose very plainness set off the
perfection of her figure and enhanced the
brilliancy of her complexion. showing to
the best advantage that splendid beauty,
which at the age of thirty five had reached
its zenith. just, now, however, the vivid
Brightness of her bloom had faded to pale
rose tint, and her lovely blue eyes seemed
heavy with unshed tears.
Her young daughter, Odalite, equally
beautiful in her way, was yet of an entirely
opposite type. She was of medium height,
and her form, though well rounded, was
slender almost to fragility. Her head was
small, and covered with a fine suit of rip
ping jet black hair, which she wore care
lessly, partly in black net, partly escaping
down the shoulders. Her eyes and eye
brows were as black as jet; her fea
lures were delicate and regular; and her
complexion was of a clear ivory white.
She wore a crimson merino Dress plainly
made, closely fitting, and relieved only by
narrow white ruffies at throat and
wrists.
Only for a moment they paused, and
then they walked out of the room, and the
pretty picture disappeared.
They went to Oddities chamber, where,
in privacy, the proud lady could tell the
daughter HER MOTHERS SECRET-a secret
so terrible that she believed it would com
pei the poor girl to give up her
young dream of happiness with her chosen
lover, Leonidas Force whom she idolized,
and accept life of misery as the wife of
Col. Angus Anglesea, heartless adyentu
rer, whom she loathed. The above we
publish as specimen chapter; but the con-
tinuation of this story will be found only
in the N. Y. Ledger. Ask for the number
dated November 4, which can now be had
at any news Office or book store. If you
are not within reach of a news Office, you
can have the Ledger mailed to you for
one year by sending three dollars to Rob
ert Bonner, publisher, 1872 William street,
New York
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