The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-01-30
HARD TO UNDERSTAND.

1 QAnD III UNUElhClAN :
"If it were not so confoundedly cold,
would risk it and go out"
There was such a contrast between the
words and the speaker Of them, 1t was
little pitiful He was not pacing, but iran
ing himself TO and fro across the foor OF hls
room, and he had paused by one OF the WIN
dows.
II was a cheerful enough room to be the
abode of an invalid-it was long and low,
and window at each end-one facing
street, the other looking upon open country.
The view from the one was OF wide, desc
late looking village thoroughfare, with small
shops and houses Of the type pertaining TO
mining village Behind these the atmos-
phere was thick and dull, and tall chimney
or two rearing itself into space denoted the
presence Of coal pits.
The place looked as II it had been built "at
the back of the north wind, and as il that
same bleak wind had swept peiPetually
through and through its streets, giving 1t
dried up and comfortless aspect The people
who were passing TO and fro this evening
seemed to be struggling against this relent-
less prosecutor, which was whirling the
March dust into their eyes, and winding the
women's skirts and shawls about their per-
sons in an eccentric fashion.
From the other window there was very
different view. Immediately between the
village and the open country there were
some large iron furnaces, but these being
built in hollow, the eye glanced right over
them to where beautifully -undulating ex-
panse Of moorland spread itself to the hori-
ron, broken here and there by clumps OF FIR
woods and by deep clefts and ravines. Over
this magnificent bit of scenery the sun was
Just setting-with vivid glare seen often in
this early season of the year. 1t was as fair
a picture as one could wish to gaze on; never
theless the inmate of this double faced apart
ment turned his back upon it, and when he
ceased his weary stroll, drew up chair to
the other window, and sat down where he
could command a view of the comfortless
street.
There was nothing pleasant there to divert
his thoughts First woman passed holding
her skirts together, and clutching frantically
at the fiimsy bonnet that the wind threat
ened every moment to snatch from her head.
Then some children raced along; their voices
sounded into the room; the clatter of their
feet on the pavement had cheerful sound.
Then little group of pitmen struggled by
in their scsnty flannel garments, thick shoes
and shining caps, with their brass lamps
swinging from their hands
At each and all of these the young viewer
looked with certain keenness of interest,
until the silence inside his room was broken
by a rap at the door, followed by the en-
trance of some one at sight of whom his face
lighted up, though be did not rise or make
any demonstration of greeting beyond that
conveyed in the words, "You are late to-
night, doctor"
Am Ip said the other, quietly.
He was a short, middle-aged man, with
remarkably luminous eyes charged with a
certain receptivity OF expression that at
once attracted attention He took in the
aspect OF affairs at a glance; the big easy
chair set close 10 the bright fire, the discon-
solste looking figure in the less comfortable
chair by the window; lastly, his gaze dwelt
fondly for an instant on peculiar effect OF
sunset light that was streaming in at the
other easement.
How are you tonight" he asked
"No better, thank you
"Have you been moving aboutl'
"As long as could, have to hang on by
chairs and tables"
you don't look very comfortable there
The young mans answer had certain
evasive uneasiness in it. 81 got across to
here be said then | was tired, 50
stayed"
"Iet me give YOU an arm back to the firef
@No, thank you"
TO youl"
"Con-found you-no."
DR. Garry made no further remark at the
moment-he seated himself in the rejected
chair and gazed quietly at his patients back
Then he gazed out of the window at the sun.
set and the hills
How you can prefer that view to this
can't conceived" he said at last.
There was no reply Mark Taylors bach
had an expression of obstinate determine
ton, noticeable even in its weakness. For {
few moments there was silence again; tbs
shades Of evening were beginning to fall
over the wind-blown street.-the colors OF
the hills were fading into more somber tints
At length the invalid broke the silence
Il wonder why don't get stronger" he SAID
in meditstive tone.
$50 do L. retorted the doctor. Il can fine
nothing the matter with you now-excep
the want Of motive power"
what do you mean by that" asked th'
younger man, almost roughly.
"Wbat | say. You appear to me to hav'
lost your grasp Of life-not merely through
disease; you might get well now if you
wished to live
Mark laughed, dry little laugh who's
foundation was tears. what rubbish you
aalki" he said
II do said the doctor IL wish you'c
ZONE near the fire."
II wish you'd mind your own business
"Again Dr. Garry returned TO silence anc
70 the more intent study of his patient
back He could see beyond him into tn
street; it was empty Of passengers just row
70 empty that when a solitary figure ap
peared at the EXTREMIST end it arrested hi
attention at once. He saw that his patien
was watching it also; the grasp Of his THU
hand upon his chair back frightened in
stinctively; the doctor stood up quietly tn
better to make his observations.
The person who came down the street nov
was young girl, and there was hgh
enough TO see that she was a very prett
girl, with fair face and upright, joyou
carriage As she passed the house she locke
right into the fire-lighted room, and be
slowed upon the figure at the window