The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-05-21
"a frs,ln fIslIsy lunaors. met INN there


name Jack RensIlaw hadil e left much,
was the impress ion aIloaf; no one knew
exact.s, Int Crystal MAS supposed to
have golse to her friends
He remembered now how he had TAX
| en- her from her happy girl life, only to
| burden her with care, and grief, and
| disappointment It seemed to him bet
| ter that SIZE should continue TO believe
| him dead, until he could work a reyolu-
ton in his manner of life that would
| give lier faith in him beaer, perhaps,
neyeEto undeceive her at all
There was rough lodge up in the
widest part of the breaks where a
solitary pleasure-seeker came every
wear, TO hunt, and fish, and dream away
| the summer weather. He was sunburnt
and shaggy, with the listless droop of
one who lived more in the past than the
present.
At rare intervals his solitude was brok-
en- in upon by other wanderers, but he
scarcely seemed grateful on these oc-
casions. But one day party found
him out who had a greater interest
in the surroundings than his usual WIS.,
itors.
ssYou see we want to follow up the
exact track Of that forest fire, y observed
|. DIR. Luke. lone of these ladies suffer-
ed loss by it, and | was only too glad
to bring my Wske and come, when ]
found how she was brooding over the
subject and longing to see the spot. Ii
you can give her any information we will
be grateful as well as willing to reward
you"
All this in an aside, and as the two
ladies drew near he Joined the younger
and gayer, and walked away, as if to
leave them quite unrestrained by his
presence.
1t was Crystal who sat down near the
other and looked AWAY through the trees,
Crystal who spoke presently with aslight
tremor in her voice:
"Were you here five years ago, at the
time of the fire?''
Yes -
'sDid you hear of "a gentleman who
was overtaken bv il, who was found
afterward with his Gun by his side9 1t
was at the foot of n bluff, as if he had
fallen over or leapei over in his agony"
Il heard of Lin
did you see hlGlo Before, | mean.
Could you describe itimp Wait. / think
| must tell YOU why am SO anxious.
believed at the time that it was my hus-
band who had NIT tie terrible fate. [
was not allowed to see the remains.
Afterward some tribes came 10 light;
some little discre 'anies of appearance,
SO far as | could j:.i.sse. and began to
hope"
ITO HOPPER
'.Oh yes, though with fear and against
reason. | could bear it no longer, at
last, and came here trusting to find
someone who could settle my doubts"
''You came" -glaacing down at her
dress, the cold mufeied tone which he
had used throucilont growing bitter
ION wedding trip ;tso, did you not?''
well, yes, it might be called So
Il don't know whether can set your
mind at rest about the 1aan. He was
tallish chap, little unsteady in his way.
brown moustache and hair. He stopped
for few minutes at Il cabin where /
stayed that night. | heard afterwards
below that he had given lis name as
what was it now -k:raaShaw?n
1T wasn't Renshaw3f quick convic-
ton in the voice Size had caught some
expression and was looking him straight
in the face. All al once she went White
As death, and yet the man before her
was not stricken BY the look in her eyes.
1t was neither fear nor hatred such as he
had dreaded to see.
odCh- SAiS btt OHM
It was no time for cva~ions.
II am Jack, bat God knows. If it
would spare you pain, I'd willingly
change places with that poor wretch
who lies under my headstone.
pain! Oh, Jack. my Jack! my Jackr'
She was clinging to his hands as if she
would never let them go.
Yours! Crystal He broke
away from the temptation which was as
sailing him, the tender recollections well
ling up. Il was wrong 10 let things
come to this pass. l should have buried
myself at the further end of the world.
But, since this has come, call your other
husband and see what is to be done"
INV other husband? Jackr'
Such a shock in her voice, such un-
consciousness of his meaning, and then
she realised it slowly-the thought in
his mind.
Poor jack That is DR.. Luke's wife,
but he has been my best friend through
OUT
And you are with intense feel
ing now burning in face and eyes.
II am Crystal Renshaw-y your own
wife till death do us part she answer
ed. as she sunk upon. his heart.
With JOY unspeakable, Lie pressed her
to his breast and murmured:
ssTrue in spite of air