Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-11-08

\ "
\ 0tranS " did you receive this exceedingly
Alb epstlee' asked her sister.
SSre yoB twenty minutes ago, and can as
90 @ sss,1sfThg." 4'N''' - 'D-'
! gDvyou quarreledF" asked Grace.
mo; there has not been the slightest dis
agreement between usn
Florence. John Macomber Is a sensible |
man He would not act in this manner with |
out some cause
Little Mrs. Harding took up the letter again |
and read it through.
What does he mean by saving that YOU |
have made an avowalf' she asked
That is just the question was endeavor-
ing to answer when asked for your assist
ance," answered Florence.
''Charlie will understand it, | am suren
said Grace. I'VE will ask him when he
comes home this evening"
ave will do nothing of the kind replied
Florence Charles power for discovering
the meanings of pulling epistles is doubtless
unlimited, bu: l have no desire to let every
one know that l have been Tilted" And
with these words she turned and walked to
the window on the opposite side of the room.
"Florence!"
4
youl Was it my remark in reference to
Charlieg'
sit was not what you said about Charlie"
answered Mrs, Harding, though am sorry
you will not allow me to tell him about this
letter, as am sure he would understand it."
she added with wifeiy pride. II was sur
prised to hear you say that you had been
Tilted"
Il suppose that is the correct word"
81 don't believe that you suppose anything
of the kind, and if you do you are very fool
ishn
what else is there left for me to thinkF'
said Florence, turning suddenly He has
left me in a manner which justifes me in
thinking so"
FLORENCE said Mrs. Harding, rising and
going over to her sister who was standing by
the window with troubled eyes and cold,
hard expression on her face. Florence,
don't you think some one may have written
John Macomher a letter in your name, ask
ing him to release you from your engage
mentr'
1T is just possible said the girl slowly.
sit is more than possible; it is probable.
Al least you should give him the benefit of
the doubt. l am certain that he loves you
devotedly, and he would not have deserted
you in this manner without some reason"
But who could have written him such
letter as you speak Off
''Some one who desired to separate you
two Florence, in his letter John refers TO
an avowal which he says you have made.
He certainly would not have done so had he
not been under the impression that you had
made it. That avowal caused him to write
this letter You say that you have not writ
ten to him; then it is clear some one else has
written in your name"
"You are right, Grace 1t is strange that
did not think of that before Some one has
endeavored to part US, and fear has sue
ceeded7
'Whyl You have only to show this note to
John, and all will be we'll
"a very easy method OF settling the affair,
if IL were only possible. Unfortunately Mr.
Macomber left the village this evening"
That is unfortunate. Who told your
1.-THE boy who brought me this letter. l
thought when be handed it to me that it was
note explaining the suddenness of his de-
parture"
perhaps be left his address with some of
his frie. Is"
ale as very few friends in the village
and it is not likely that he would have ac-
quain.ed any of them with his plans, leaving
hurriedly as he did,
"Never mind. am sure that you will
hear something from him soon"
Mrs. Harding had gone back to her seat
and resumed her sewing Presently she said
cheerly:
FLORENCE, you must take your walk a
usual this evening. You must not think o.
this affair too much, or when John comet
back he will find that you have lost all O
your color"
"He will never come back" answered thu
girl. 81 feel i'll know it"
She went slowly to her room, and taking
photograph from q drawer looked at 1t ten
derby and sadly. 1t was the face of a yer,
handsome man; and as her eyes dwelt on tn
noble brow and proud mouth, sob after sol
shook her form, and she cried aloud In th,
bitterness of pain
OOH John, John, have you gone out OF ny
life foreveri7
Two years passed-years fraught with sor
row for Florence Grahame Death had com
into the Harding household and robbed it o
its stay and support-Charles Harding
Grace, overcome with grief, after her hus
bands death had fallen into a decline, am
soon she, too, was gone, leaving Florenc
alone.
She was now employed as teacher to tw
little girls, daughters of a Mr. Deerhurst
and her home was as pleasant as she coul'
reasonably have expected it to be.
Florence had neither heard from nor me
John Macomber during the past two year.
but she had never ceased to hope that som
time in the future they would meet and al
would be explained.
That hope had aided her to bear bravel
her sorrow and to go cheerfully out into tn
world to battle for herself
Today she was standing at the school roor
window, looking out upon the lawn beloy
with sad, wistful eyes. She wore a long
flowing dress of some thin black materia
which fell in folds around the slender, grace
full figure.
"Will my life never be happier than It |
nowP she murmured with a sigh ''Wh
has not God blessed me with some of the 10
and gladness which he has given to others i
abundancef'
Miss Grahamer
The girl turned and saw a servant gil
standing in the open doorway.
Miss Grahame, Mrs Deerhurst would lik
you to come to the drawing room as soon
pOsslDle.
Let Mrs Deerhurst know that will /
there Immediately" answered Florence. an
without delay she prepared to obey her en-
poyer's bidding. "She wishes mo to sing
she said to herself, as she descended IL
stairs. 81 am sorry. 1 am not in the moe
for singing for strangers. wonder if hi
visitors will remain many days7"
As she entered the drawing room, whie
was partially filed with visitors, Mrs. Dee
hurst came forward and said in the sof
sweet voice peculiar to her:
Miss Grahame, Mrs Marston would
pleased to hear You sing. She is very fol-
of vocal music"
ut Will give me great pleasure to obli
her." replied Florence, going to the plan
which stood open at the other end Of t
room
In few moments her wonderful voice W
filling the room with sweet, sad music
oh, fragrant breeze OH murmurtng trees,
oh. waving. whispering lines