The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-04-20

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Lhe role which beg leave to resign; and if 70
VIII allow me TO speak of 1t. think he wi
intake You much more suitable husband tina
would. Ifyou viii accept my nephew / Wi
a. once make over to him quarter of my pre-
elat income which was the inheritance inten,
ed should be his before our present. enRag,
| ment- To shield yourself from any unpleasai
gossip, ann quite willing that you should el
courage the belief that You yourself ha
thrown me over for a younger rival. Isha
neither say nor do anything to correct tn
| impression. | have written to my nephe-
on this matter, and you may expect him
CAL upon you shortly after the receipt of tn
iietter. shall await your response with am
Hoping that you will not wholly eondem
iS '' fe'"a aaE YSHri IYEsssyM ft1EHg
Mrs. Traskr' Alma said, with
look of scorn, when she had sufficient
composed herself to read the letter
second time. TO what will design
ing woman not resort to accomplish her
ends! To think that should be so hu-
miliated!n
Then second violent outburst fol-
lowed, and it was long time before
Alma could trust herself to see any one.
In the evening she came down stairs
! 'ooklng very pale. but a headache was
the explanation which she offered for
this. She had neryed herself for scere
which she would almost sooner have
/ died than have taken part in; for, down
in her heart of hearts, she loved hand
some Mark Merryweather, and the 10
nominy of her present situation was like
an iron in her proud soul If there is
anything that is CALLING TO woman, it
! is to be Inundated in the eyes of the
| man she loves.
When Mark Merryweather received
his uncle's letter. his first feeling was
one of indignation of unbounded con-
fnV
have felt for such a piece of cowardly
rascality.
His first thought was of Alma, and he
conceived some wild idea of revenging
the insult thus offered to her. But grad
ually the subtitle suggestions of his
uncle letter insinuated themselves in
to his mind, and his heart beat high at
the possibility thus presented of his win
ming Alma for self,-Alma, beautiful
Alma! whom he loved with all the pas
sion OF an ardent temperament
The wish is father to the thought, "
which grew and grew, till by the time
he turned his steps toward Mrs. Jewett's
house his brain was on fire. He was
determined to win Alma at all hazards;
he considered nothing else.
When he presented himself at Mrs.
Jewett's door he was ushered into the
library, where Alma had gone deliber-
ately to wait for him. She sat there,
white and still, bowling coldly as he en-
tered. He came forward quickly, and
stood beside her. chair.
'Almai''
''Sit down, Mr.. Merlyweather, she
returned, dryly.
Alma he repeated in voice that
vibrated strangely, Twill you marry
me?''
She smiled sarcastically.
You have received your uncle's
magnanimous letter, then?''
Il received his letter, Alma could
call it infamous, if it did not open up
such visions of bliss for me. Darling,
can you forget the baseness of this man
whom | am forced to call my uncle, for
get the insult he has offered you, and
marry me? love you, Alma. No one
need know of this contemplate act of
my uncle's if you viii only marry me. |
Be my wife, Alma You do not dislike |
me; You can surely love me little.
will make you so happy, my darling
Do not harden your heart against mo-
My life is in your hands!'
''You are generous to allow yourself |
to be made the scapegoat of your uncle !
she said slowly.
Alma" he said, gravely, s'youknow
that l offered You my love before this
happened. You. refused me then.
entreat you to listen to ME now. You
are free to marry me, if you will. Alma,
will youP"
He had sunk down on his knees be-
side her. and the tender pleading of his
voice, the passionate love that shone ini
his eyes. touched her womanly heart.
Before she knew it, the tears had we'll
I'd to her eyes and were falling down
last. He drew her head down, upon
his shoulder, and soothed her like a
child.
Darling, is it so hard to say yes?' he
Il wish-I wish she sobbed pas
sionately, but he closed her lips with a
kiss.
''Win you marry me, Alma?'' he ask
I'd earnestly.
Yes l win marry your she cried
With sudden, fierce determination. But
but-Mark, Mark! Do not utterly de-
,pise mel"
''Despise you; my darlingt'' be cried,
olding her to his heart. his eyes shining
With the rapture that filed his soul
Alma. / thank God for the strange
;hanee that has crowned my life with
happiness. My love, my dear little
owe! Tomorrow, Alma" he said, with
!. thrill in his voice, tomorrow we Will
re married. Ii VIII be runaway
match The sensation it will create
Won't last long
"To-morrow, she repeated softly ev
nv trace of bitterness having vanished
rom her face.
On the next day they were privately
married, and started at once on we'd
ing tour.
''What did | tell You, Edith?'' Mrs.
-ewett said in a distracted tone when
he received Alma's note of explanation
nd apology. Il knew it would end
O. :" i
When Mr. and Mrs. Merryweather re-
urned home, they were warmly receiv-
a. and the commsei-ltions which had
cen heaped upon Mr.. Mathers were
hanged to congratulations. for he was
bout to marry charming young Wild
" with whom he appeared to be much
more deeply in love than he ever had
cen with charming Alma. 1t was Mrs.
'rask
When Mark told his wife of his uncle's
marriage, he eyed her curl
usly.
II suppose YOU are frightfally jeal-
us"' he said. loosely,
"Frightfullyt' she replied, gayly Il
annot survive my misfortune. ="
He looked up into her eyes and some