The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-03-13

ana CAN Go Bttttef ta:tfi I'D MAKE 81
end OF myself. I'm gong the straight
road.
Daisy threw herself hafore the gate
she ching 10 him, Pleaded with him.
Half crazed az he was, lick was IN no
cohdiiionsto 90 back 10 the village ina.
and the rough crowd which would be
gathered there At i9:tt hour But all of
drunken mans obstinacy was aroused,
and while they stood thus, there came
again the roll OF wheels that were
checked Suddenly, and Dr. Lloyd sprung
down rs he took in that sceLe at a
glance.
go into the house. Richard he
commanded and Rick, without n word,
obeyed. I'm eife him 4 POWDER
said the doctor IL Daisy. You must
sleep yourself Tonight. He stood
talking with her after he had seen Rick
safely in his room. $50 lie has had the
need alarm y9u; Rick isn't one todo
enough to hide It :igain. or would take
possession of it. lie IS never violent
towards .you?'
'tOh, no. never"
''Not quito brute enough for that"
mutiefed the doctor, rs he took his
leave, and naiss slept peacefully after
her trouble
She did not really believe that Ralph
meant what he said. bat he seemed de-
termined after that 10 visit his displeas-
are upon her Miss Winter came back
from her Walk next day with her hands
fun of ferns -
$50 MIR. Armstrong isn't Your engag-
al lover after ALPS she remarked TO
Daisy. Il would have been flirting with
him before this If hadn't supposed he
belonged to you
'|Flirting, Oh. Miss Winterr'
ale isn't bad hand at the pastime
himself" remarked Miss Winter, eooliy.
She understood the situation much bet
ter than she pretended. and liked Ralph
none the less because he seemed on the
roiat of deserving his little white Daisy
for her.
Rici; had avoided the lodger from the
;ic5t- Il was 4 revelation to Daisy when
she came npon him one day holding a
crashed flewci which Miss Winter had
worn. lie had not been near the village
for days. Languid and spiritless he had
crept about the bause or lain in the long
grass with hook on his face which
went TO his sisters heart. She UNDER
stood it now as she saw him lift the fall
IN flower and just touch it with his lips.
81 have .ocen mad enough for that,
D&isy-to fall in love with her. And if
l had not thrown away my Own man-
mood, l need a0t now be in despair
that is the bittcrest thought of AL
at is not too late to be true to your.
self vet. Rick" ,a
She had little hope that this new
f-hf NSsi.l~ IN IA
but before the week was over. he had
broken bounds again. as if determined
to bury regret in oblivion.
Meanwhile the time came for Miss
Winter to return to London, and she
sent for Ralph, who had promised to
drive her to the stations He came with
his light carriage and mettled horse,
looking neither sorry nor cast down,
Daisy observed with Il throb of the
heart. t-ssF
''Iie ism lfalse, then; he'll come back
to me again when she is gone
Rick had teen at the village. He was
ON his way home when. at some distance
away, he saw the carriage standing at
the parsonage gate. Ralph and Miss
Winter weIe Just taking their places in
it, the fniilist,sl stood ON the steps, and
the curious face OF maid looEets de " n n
from II garnet window. AS Ralph settled
down in his seat. his glance fell upon
that shambling figure by the roadside,
and he gave n vicious cut with his whip:
the spirited horses started with plunge,
buckle snapped, and then the next in
staut his driver had lost all control over
him
Rick had taken in the scene which his
eyes rested on. and sudden stiffness
went over him. Id
They've been getting married!' he
said TO himself. aghase. been getting
married. and he has cheated Daisy. But
he shan t get away SO easy rs that. -
Ills brain was clouded with liquor;
sonle-blind impulse OF rage and revenge
moved him. and his fingers clasped and
brought out the weapon which he some
times carried. They We're close upon
him now; he lifted his hand and fired
at the hoase.there Is every reason to be-
lieve, for there was Il dangerous EN-
banhment near, toward which the run
away was heading. Bat he missed his
mark, and the next instant the steel
shod hoofs were trampfing him down.
A little further on and the carriage
was wrecked. Ralph Armstrong was
picked up bruised and senseless; his
newly made bride was iead, n bullet in
her heart, and further back was n bleed
ing, PUPPY mass beaten down in the
dust, that groaued when they touched
it, but was beyond human aid.
The horror of that time was year
old when Ralph opened the rackety
gate and made his way again to the old
house. Daisy was sitting in the porch,
all in white, as he remem bered her so
well. Then he was holding her hand.
and docking into her startled eyes.
..RIy little white Daisyr' broke over
his hips. Il never really loved anyone
but you, and | have come back to ask
You to be my wife, after al"
'sOh. Ralph, don't YOU know"
know what?" he asked, almost
fiercely.
"That / am DIR. Lioyds wife. l was
married week ago"
'sAnd-are yon happy?"
He wanted her to say no; he thought
his own misery would be easier to bear
if he knew she shared it. There was a
sound of wheels nearing the gate. She
turned her face that way; a beautiful
flush tinged it, and that look answered
him without the low-spoken words
81 am very happy.