The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-10-20
Gerald turned an instant. and said,

Gerald turned an instant, ana SAID,
sadly:
..Letty, you viii be sorry for that be-
fore yon sea me again Goodbye, and
was gone. -
Lefty went into the house, just as the
whistle of Gerald's train sounded. She
was sorry now. and little frightened
at her angry words. But there was no
time 70 tell him SO, for he was gone,
81 know ne was right. too, she said.
penitentiy. Mrs Merriton is awfully
fast-she does lots OF things I wouldn't
do. But it would be so nice to spend
day In town. Gerald is there all the
time. and / get so lonely outhere alone.
il wasn't worth o quarrel with him,
though. What did he mean by saying
would be sorryp Tn sorry now-I wish
did not have 20 wait until night 10 tell
him So"
Near noon q bright thought came to
her. She wanted to make some little
| purchases in town-why not go up by
the $50 train, and come home with
Geralde
/ Z To resolve was to do, with Lefty. Al
Two clock she tripped into the office
where Gerald was junior partner. The
senior, Mr.. Harper, was there alone
'sWhere b Mr. Chambersee asked
kesty.
..Eie hasn't been here today" said
/ CIR. Harper.
ssWhv. ha came an by the early train
9a9u Legsy, sngnEly ainr1meo.
II don't think he's been hero. I'll asa
Nh. Wright il he has seen him. though"
said MIR. Harper.
He stepped to the cashiers desk, and
presently returning, said: Mr.. Wright
says he was here. very early. but said
he was going away on business, and
would mot be In again to-day"
|. why, where can he have gonePf
xied Lefty. cold thrill all over her
.tHe did not speak Of IL to me-"
a clerk. passing by. stopped. that in.
slant
lis it Mr.. Chambers you are asking
L aboutg'' he said.
Yes Have you seen him. Mr.. Sew
erns"
Eyes, sir. AS came from dinner I
met him. walking very fast towards the
depot BE. said he was trying to catch
the H. so train
Then i just missed him, coming up
by the $50. How provokingr' said
Lefty.
!. But her fears were relieved, and she
hurried through her shopping. 80 as to
B0s fM1Ahc Ao3$0A W sAS fooA SASch
train.
; ..rm so sorry I wasn't there when he
got hemep' she said. s.Never mind, I'll
make Il M when do get there"
She had to wait few minutes at the
station for the trsin. She walked up
and down the hong platform. then VEN
tured o few steps on the narrow plank
laid across the long railroad bridge, for
the convenience of foot passengers.
The conductor who ran down at four
was the same who ran down at 1880.
Lefty knew him by sight, and stopped
10 speak % him.
MIR. Chambers went down with you
a&'noon, did he notP' she said.
..Mf. Chsnbers has not gone to-day,
yes''
.sOh. Tim sure he tiidr' insisted Lefty.
The conductor shook his head.
mo, madam, know, because had
q message for him to-day, and I've been
ON the lookout for him, couldn't have
gone down without my seeing him."
"But Mr.. Severn, one of the clerks,
told me ne saw my husband running to
/ catch the train
s-Saw him myself m6dan. on the
platform. But when Hooked into the
CBsri2ges, ne was NOT there!"
the PLATFORM" asked Lefty, turning
pale.
.Yes'm. Boz don't be uneasy. dare
say he went down by the 2. 1872
| Perhaps he did" said Lefty.
But her heart chilled as she sat and
thought 81 Gerald, last seen on that
crowded. busting, platform. Was it
possible that he had met with an &C.
cidente Oh, Heaven Forbid He would
not 30 punish her for one angry word.
BE must have gone dewn at two o'clock,
end was waiting for her at home.
Halt dead with anxiety, she left the
train, and Jew home. He had not re-
turned. their little maid-servant told
her. She few back to the station, and
asked the ticket collector ii he had seen
MIR. Chambers oeme down.
.sNo, ma'am, he hasn't come down
yet. " was the prompt answer.
Lefty turned away. Her bitter punish.
ment had come, theni Gerald was gone,
never TO return more, and her last words
TO him had been angry ones-her last
wcrds 20 Gerald. whom she loved far
better than she did her own life.
She could scarcely support her limbs
until she got into the street once mora.
Then her tears fell, and without heed
ing THAI some one might be passing,
sde walled out
Hell never come againi Gerald win
nevsr come againl My Gerald never win
come any knorer'
ssThs dickens be won'tr' sounded o i
cherry vciee Just behind her. Lefty
turned--rassohf EaraIdss arm then her