The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-09-19
THE LlWIER'S SBlRET.
by D. Z. Farieon, Author Of !" Bread,
Cheese and Kisses"
CHAPTER H.-eoxrraurD.

ner pain. SAID the young man, quletiN-
Ellinor looked up in his face and saw
that the blue eyes, looking down into
hers, had peculiar earnestness all
their own. tsEaSstkn ssF II
"He Is not so bad. after all. ? she
thought 81 have been foolish in ridi
culing him; but can never love him
Miss Arden" he continued, drop
ping into chair by the sofa on which
she was seated, while Horace Margrave
leaned against the opposite side OF the
fireplace" Miss Arden. we meet under
such peculiar circumstances, that it is
best for the happiness of both that we
should at once understand each other.
Your late uncle was the dearest friend ]
ever had. no father could have been
dearer TO the most aflectienate of sons
than be was to me. Any wish, then. Of
his must be forever sacred But have
been brought up TO rely upon myself
alone, and am proud in saying have
no better wish than to make my own
career, unaided by interest or fortune.
The loss, then, of this money will be no
loss to me. fit be your viii to refuse
my hand, and to retain the fortune, to
which you alone have a claim, do so.
You shall never be disturbed in the pos
session of that towhich YOU of all others
have the best right. Mr.. Margrave,
your solicitor, and executor TO your
uncle's will, shall Tomorrow execute
deed. abnegating, on my part all claim
to this fortune; and / will, at one word
from ron, bid you adieu this night; be-
fore, he added slowly, with an earnest
glance at her beautiful face, "before my
heart is too far inxolTed to allow of my
being even just.
Mr. Dalton" said Horace Mar
grave, lazily watching the two from
under the Shadows Of his eve-lashes,
'"you bring Roman virtue into May
Fair. You win purify the atmosphere"
D shall I 60 on stay, Miss Arden?"
asked the young man.
"Stav, Mr., Daltonr' She rose as she
spoke, and laid her hand, as if for sup
port, upon the back of chair that was
standing near her Stay, Mr.. Dalton.
If your happiness can be made by the
union, which was my late uncle's wish,
let it be so. | cannot hold this fortune
which is not mine; but | may share it.
l will confess to you, and know your
generous nature viii esteem me better
for the confession, that have dared 70
cherish a dream in which the image of
another had part i have been fool
ish, mistaken. absurd; as schoolgirls
often are. The dream is broken. If
you can accept my uncle's fortune and
nav own esteem; one is yours by right
the other has been nobly Won by Your
conduct of this evenings
She held out her hand to him, he
pressed it gently, and. raising it to. his
lips, led her back TO the sofa, and re-
seated himself in the chair, close beside
her
Horace Margrave closed his eyes, as
if the long expected blow had fallen.
The rest of the evening passed slow
tly. Mr.. Margraye talked, and talked
brilliantly; but he had q very duh audi
ence. Ellinor was diStrd3, Henry Dali
ton thoughtful, and Mrs Morrison en-
inently stupid. The lawyer repressed
two or three yawns, which he concealed
behind an embroidered tire-screen, and
when the clock. on which an ormolu
Pan reclined amidst forest of bronze
sFushess announced half-past ten, he
rose 70 depart. and Ellinor was left to
ponder over tbelso emn engagementinto
which she had entered on Che impulse of
the moment. Il .tHs
81 had better take a cab TO the Tenn
PIE. said young Dalton. ashley left the
house. I'll wish you goodnight, Mr..
Margrave.r' rr.. - lg{t
d'No, Mr.. Dalton, l have something
to say to you that must be said, and
which. l think, I'd rather say By night
than in the day. If you are not afraid
of late hours, come home with me &c
my chambers, and smoke a cigar Be-
fore vou see Ellinor Arden again,
must have an hour conversation with
you Shall it be tonight | ask it as
favor; letit he to-night.''S
Henry Dalton looked considerably as
tonished BY the earnestness OF the law.
yer's words, but he merely bowed, and
said:
with great pleasure. am entirely
at Your service; if | retained to my
chambers, sheHld-Feadf oFtweeFthree
hours, so do not lie afraid OF keeping
me up.n &
Henry Dalton and Horace Margravt
sat taking for nearly three hours in The
chambers of the latter; but no cigar.
We're smoked BY either OF them, anc
though q bottle of Madeira stood on thu
table, il was entirely untouched. II wa
| to be observed, however, that a cellare
had been opened. and q deeanter o
| brandy taken out; the stopper lay be
side it. and one glass, which had beel
drained to the dregs.
| The clocks were striking two as Hor
ace Margrave himself opened the QUITE,
door for his late visitor. On thu
threshold he paused, and laying hi
hand, with strong grasp, on Dalton:
arm, he said. in whisper:
Il am safe, them Your oath is sa
credr' IA
Henry Daltonturned and looked hin
| full in the face looked full at the pal'
face and downcast eyes, completed,
shrouded by the white lids and shadow
black eyelashes.
1.-THE Daltons, of Lincolnshire, ar
not an old family, Mr. Margrave, or !
rich family; but they keep their word
Goodnight
He did not hold out his hand at part
ing; but merely lifted hishat, and bowe'
grayely.
Horace Margrave sighed as he locket
the doors, and returned to his warn
study.
| At least" he said, Il am safe! Blu
then | might have been happy. Have
been wise tonight have / been wise,
wonder?" he muttered, as his eve
wandered to space over the mantel
piece, on which were arranged coupl
of pairs of magnifcently mounted pis
tolls, and small dagger, in chase,
silver scabbard Perhaps, after all
it was scarcely worth the trouble of thi
explanation; perhaps. after ell, the oh
ject is not worth the troubler
II s. CHAPTER III.
AFTER THE HoNEYMooS.
Three months had elapsed since tn
midnight interview in Horace Mar
| graves hambers-three months, an,
the Opera House was opened for tn
season, and three new tenors, and tw,