The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1885-12-05
Oh AFTER XVIII.

Nearly five years had elapsed since the
day Curly AMI met AM parted on the
Queens highway.
had emerged from tn, "crowd," and
was starring at tho Theatre Royal, GAS
gov, from whence had to go to Aberdeen
for six nights closed IN Glasgow on Sat
urday, and hal to open in Aberdeen on
Monday. Railwavs were now, more or less
all over Scotland. but throu, soma preiu
dice, derive from the Dark Ago,, thore
was still no communica ton between Glas-
gov and Edinburgh on Sunday. Sore'y
exercised in my miud AZ to how was TO
got through in time to open at Aber-
de,n, l strolled down Argyle street on Sun.
day morning toward the railway station.
when | perceived In the crowd In the oppo-
site direction, and oertopping every one
around, stately. whit bearded man, with
the head land front of Jove himself"
Although | had never seem him since the
night we met in Paisley could not be mis-
taken-it was Lang Willie"
For years l had ponderel on the nobility.
the beauty, the self-sacritlce Of that manly
nature-the nisfortunes OF his unhapnv
friend. l knew tho prolonged strug rles
they had encountered with poverty. and
was really delighted at the thought that the
prosperity of the poor lad whom he had
helped in adversely might enable me now,
perhaps, to befrend him, SO n,ado my way
towards Mr. Jameson and, sans ccremonie.
reminded him of the circumstances of our
slight acquaintance five years back.
Good heavens" he said, ''you don't mean
to say you are that slip OF a lad who was
with old Pike In Paisley five years aaog
Well, l should never have thought it"
Then he toll me he had been to the theatre.
had seen my Hamlet, and he said some
civil things about it.
1t was getting nigh dinner time, and l
persuaded him to come to tho hotel and dine
with me- After dinner the conversation
turned on my journey to Aberdeen, and the
difficulty I anticipated in getting through
10 Edinburgh. 10 my establishment and
delight, he said:
WELL this meeting is a, fortunate as it
is pleasant. Not an hour before met you
received the welcome news that the final
decision in the case of Jameson and Miller
VS.. MacAllister and others had been given in
our favor. I am only awaiting n telegram
to enable the to start for Aberdeen, and take
possession OF tho estate at once I'll toll
you what I'll do I'll call for you here at
IL o'cloct to night with coach and pair,
and we'll drive to Edinburgh together, and
catch tn, express for Aberdeen in the morn.
ing"
At 10 o'clock he came according to prour
Isl. we tiic iHuil ~ anu
arrived at Aberdeen at about IL on Sunday
night Although We were fatigueI, the
journey had been pleasant ono for me.
Before we parted for the night Mr.. jamie
son Said: "Of course you know my poor
frieni's sad story. Tomorrow il tho ami
varsary of the great misfortune of his life.
Every year he regularly disappears at this
time for a month or more, All as year sue
ceels year ha seems more and more broken
down, and I'm getting very anxious about
HIM. For two years l have he N out of an
engagement AMI we have hal very hard
times, and now that brighter DAYS are in
store, poor fellow, 1t would h, hard if he
could not share this COOL fortune, AMI l
hope am not selfish when | say it would b.
hard for me. too, to b. left alone in my old
age without friend"
was up early, havin, n 10 O'CLOCK! re-
hearsal. As had Only nv sc,nes to run
through in 'Ths Lady of Lyons and as
both Pauline and the widow had playel
their parts viii ne before, | had finished
by IL o'clock, when JAMESON called for me
to accompany him to the house Of his CO.
executor, DR.. Miller
The two oil friends met with elusive con-
gratulations as to the final re ult Of the pro-
tracted law suit. 1t was quite touching TO
see the fearful delight of Jsalni, MacPher-
son at the sight OF Willie but mora touching
still it was to see the welcome accorded him
by the doctors only daughter, lovely, fair
haired girl of Is. l thought then, and l
think still, that Maggie Miller is altogether
the most charmin :, guie,ess an BEAUTIFUL
creature bad ever seen in mt life Acct
dent-sheer acciden.-hai lei me to nv
fate. Ii hadn't gone to Paisley with Pike
shouldn't have known Willie Jamieson-
perhaps l should have known nothing abut
Curly, most certainly l should never hFve
known Maggie Miller. All, my darlin1' !
loved you from that moment, and