Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-01-14

"YOu ought to know me, Mr.. Breton. 1
sympathize with-nobody. 1t is too much
trouble. And as for the sutferings of the
lower classes-they may be very pitiable-but
don't see how the neither milestone can help
ITSELF or for that matter be helped either"
Then he glanced curiously toward the piano.
"Why, where are our young people"
After considerable dumb show Bertha had
become aware that Philip had some iptelli-
gence Of a startling nature TO communicate.
SO it happened that, at the moment MIR.
Ellingsworth inquired for them, the young
people stood just inside the door Of the cozy
little room called ''the study"
~ am going to have some high fun to-
night, Bertha; am going tothat labor meet
ing. / want to see the business from the in
side when the public show isn't going on"
The girl looked at him in astonishment.
"They won't let you in"
"That's just where the fun is coming 1t is
going TO be better ghan all the college devil
try, and-walJ here two minutes and Ill
show you.n
Book shelves ran up to the ceiling on the side
of the room, opposite the door. A long Of
fee table stretched across the center almost
10 the high window looking toward the
street. But all the business associations did
not Cypress this elegant young woman, who
threw herself ia luxurious abandon into the
solitary easy chair. She apparently did not
find love very disturbing. No doubt she only
smiled at its poems, fervid with a passion I'M
known 10 her calm, even life Her young
lover had often been frightened Mt the firm
outline Of the cold red lips, with never a
thought of kisses on them, and at the sprite-
like Inconsistencies of her blue eyes that
looked curiously at him when love softened
his voice and glorifled his face She was not
listening for his returning footsteps, not one
line of eagerness or of suspense was on the
dispassionate face, while she played with the
flashing jewel her lover had placed long ago
on her finger.
The door opens behind her, but she does not
turn her head-no doubt how'll come in
front of her if he wishes to be-there he is, a
slight figure, looking very odd and disagree
able in the soiled and i'll fitting clothes he has
put on, with no collar or cuffs, but blue
flannel shirt open button or two at his neck.
His faded pantaloons We're roughly thrust
into the tops of an immense pair Of cowhide
boots which apparently had sever been SO
much as Swallowed by box OF backing His
black eyes sparkle as he holds out to her
bandless felt hat which shows the marks Of
long and varied history. Bertha looked at
him in duh distaste. What poor mouth he
had, and how unpleasantly his face wrinkled
when he smiled.
81 wouldn't ever do this again." she said
coldly.
A hurt look came into his eyes; he dropped
his hat on the floor and was turning detected
ly away.
The fun was all gone, and her words and
her look he knew would come back to him "a
thousand times when he should be alone.
But she put out her hand to him like the
scepter of queen. "Never mind-you will
|,
won't youi"
"But l wouldn't like to have that make
any difference" said Philip, looking wistfully
ut the cool white hand he held. ''Supposing
was poor
She drew her hand away impatiently. II
he had known how he looked then, he would
have chosen another time for his lovers fool
ishness.
''Dont get poor. 1 like pretty things and
graceful manners and elegant surroundings;
that is the way l am made. 1 should suGo-
cate il didn't have them"
But" urged Philip uneasily, "you couldn't
love anybody but me, could your
She smiled charmingly. you must not
let mo!n Then she rose as if to dismiss the
subject. Are you all ready"
In a minute more he was, after he mad
fastened on his yellow whisBers and bronzed
over his face and neck and white wrists.
"Your own father wouldn't know you'll" she
laughed, as they opened the outer door.
Philip went down two steps.
you shake the foundation with those
boots,n He was quite recovering his spirits,
now that she was SO kind with him. And
you will tell me all about it, and whether the
leader has auburn hair as | said' How long
before you will come back-an hourf Well,
III be here as long as that"
He pulled his great hat well down over his
eyes and started, but at the gate he turned to
look back.
Bertha stood in the doorway, tall and
queenly, the red gold of her hair glistening
in the Light like halo about her head. He
could not catch the look in her face but as
she stood she raised her hand to her lips
and threw him kiss with "A gesture Of ex-
quisite grace.
In a moment more he heard her at the
piano, and he tried to keep clumsy step to
the strain from La Traviatan that came
throbbing after him. u