The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-07-03

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sophia turned as white as death. Two or
three strange whispers about Percival had
reached her ears from different quarters in
the last three weeks
"Have you any news of hirna Is he illF1
she asked, and yet illness was not what she
feared.
Sophia, dear girl the widow said. re-
garding her with ewes that absolutely moist
ened-by what art or emotion / know not.
nor could the widow have told herself
sPercival Brent is bad Young man-un-
worthy Of you-unworthy of your love"
"What do you meant" Sophia asked, draw
ing herself up with a kind of proud rebuke,
which yet had Threatening of tears in its
very indignation. Nothing bad can be true
of him"
Nothing good, Sophia, the widow re-
Piled, shaking her head rehgiohsiy' 1T is
sad for me to tell it to you, but 1t Is my duty,
dear-and my privilege, too; for who would
see you sacrificed to such a fellow"
"You must not talk so, Sophia said, In
less resolute tone.
an the first place, dear, he has not been
successful in his trade-business, whatever
you call it. He has lost everythng-or the
person with whom he was IN partnership mas
lost everything, or has died, OF something UNI
lucky anyho"-brent Is nowhere at I'LL III
money matuers'
That he cannot help, SOPHIA SAID, anu her
heart revived.
perhaps not, dear; but ne couid heip pelhg
IDLE, Dehg iona Oh 1ast company oeiiis ioiiu
of drink-or, at least, of being places where
people do drink-and oil that sort OF thing
This has been his ruin, for ruined he Is
DON see much Ill "hat you say Sophia
rephed henever young man iaiis IN
me- FoPre are leaay 70 pliiiie NM anu Ied'y
" sas' nav 'o'iu Sou Hiect' anu an 'iie'-
les, pul sihohiis' oear-''ii mixing
society!
wen ne Always sihoAeu' anu ne always
drank "ine' nophii ahs"ereu ho'iy'
suppose once De mas taken lit'ie 700 mnrh'
ana OF course spitelu people say mat ne
drinks and has ruined himself by II
fiaa sne reaiiy spoken flef "hoie Ii''i' she
wou" nav sa'o; ohe oiieiiSe he mas never
committed--he has never teen false TO me:
ana therefore MS pt'ccadliioeS shail De ior-
given
oophia' oophia! the "ldo" exciaimen'
to think that such things ever go alone! Per-
clvai is--well, my dear, he Is not over paitlc-
ular about his morals and that's the long and
short of it,"
Tell me all you know, Sophia exclaimed,
turning on her visitor almost fierceiy, and
with eyes that enforced an instantaneous re
ply:
Well, then, my dear, he has been untrue
10 YOU
Married" Sophia gaspei, Toto Bessie
WARREN
Never heard that name replied the
widow And he Is not married but great
deal worse. He is well known out there for
his liking for fast women, and he has made
quite scandal of himself with an actress
a married woman, ! believe, only her husband
is in England, am told
How do Won know all this" SoDhia asked
Her voice was scarcely audihle. for she wa,
now sr,e that tar lover was false
"Ope of INV little birds told me the widow
repI;ed with a iauntine,s that sickened poor
Scnbia "Fnrget him dear Pc a girl of
shirt Treat him as ba deserves
How do Won know all this Sophia re-
,.ata5 ruttinr ber hand to her forehead and
snealinG in n tone of genuine anguish. Tell
me how YOU know it,"
@Weu dear. if YOU must hear everything
and perhaps it is better-look here
The widow drew from her muif a news
paper, and opening it, pointed TO a marked
The paper was an Australian
one, and the paragraph, as will be seen was
composed with that engaging ease and light
ness of touch which are characteristic of Ger
tain colonial journals.
CARNAGE ACCIDENT IN THE SUBURBS
Yesterday evening as Percival Brent was
driving Mrs. Lanigan to the theatre after a
pleasant lunch in the country, the horses ran
away, probably having had too much Moet
a Chandon-a beverage which, though 1t
never affects the driver, is sometimes known
to have an exciting effect TN the steeds
After wild career through the streets the
vehicle was turned over close by the theatre
anu the oecupaii's ,iiipMh li',u VI. e'iee''
aiur WHICH, i,sh"neu Vi ',ieii loa.' 'iio i'
u iaOe'i aiiniai' pioceou " ~ "s rne -.
~ si,io'n ",'n aii'"Ne - -, Ie -.
,iNai go' nea'y eu' vi .ne ie.t IN 'einple, Das
~, . sen' ma te'ous " .ei - -
- u.- l:'.ri ~; =, -
pio" ie,oiNu maS On uls iee' ~ am 4, q ny, ~,
"ei,' W MS LaI,eahS su.' W an ", n'i W
'ehuefis' a,iu in' hei "i'h 'aie, ne ne"S
oi Inc ae'iueh1 anu 's h"ppS 'i ii'A",o"
,oo, siHe eau II .u' .n.a'' ''',n - -
Aanlsan appea'ei Oh ,"e s'ase .ie .'oose iSiio
WIN fiau"i0' 4''o''s .'i'"en' v, Po'
self only while Mrs Jauiean's is dear TO the
public
"A word in your ear, dear" cried the
widow, when Sophia had finished
And she whispered something at which the
roor girls cheek broke into a fame
Now, Sophia she said aloud "have not
myinced youyr
Il feel little tired. Sophia answered. L
don't know what to think lust vet. If YOU
will excuse me, and look in another morning.
| shall be glad y
Certainly, love" tn good humored widow
replied, not sorry 10 I've free now that her
work was done Don't I've cast down. Its
all for the best You will soon get bus
hand Think of Mr. Prendergast, or better
still, think of that excellent Young fellow.
John Done. H.. is diving for YOU still; an
sure of it,