Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-11-08
Oh, there to be again with thee.
NV love of alden tirnasl


As the last low notes died away Florence
lifted her head and saw reflected in q mirror
before her the figure and face of John
Macomber. With n face white to the very
lips she turned toward him. Their ewes met
for an instant, and scarcely needing Mrs.
Marston's murmured words of appreciation,
she left the circle of visitors and fled to the
schoolroom.
''At lastl" she cried, her heart beating JOY
fully. "At last have seen him and now all
will soon be wellln
She felt that she would suffocate If she re-
manned within doors, and throwing thin
shawl over her head she went out into the
deepening October twilight. All was silent
save for the rustling of the falling leaves and
the occasional cry of bird
Florence walked on with bright eyes and
joyful heart. Turning sharp curve in the
| path, she came suddenly upon man leaning
| against tree and looking modify upon the
| ground 1t was John Macomber.
Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw
Florence, his old love, standing before him,
the color coming and going in her face, His
heart gave a great bound and then seemed to
stand still Lifting his hat, he said, coldly:
miss Grahame, believe"
Eyes" said Florence; and then she added,
TREMENDOUSLY;
sAlr. Macomber, am glad We have met,
for have something to ask YOU
'If l can be of any service, pray command
me-" he answered.
''Will you have the kindness to explain
this letter, which l received from you two
years agoP
81 think can explain that note without
reading it, Miss Grahame."
II have never understood it, said Flor
ence.
Il was under the impression that its mean
ing was very plain. In that note | intended
to convey the idea that IN compliance with
your wish l released you from your engage
ment to me-"
IN compliance with my wish!" she re
peated. Then Grace was right. You die
receive a letter which you supposed hac
written"
Il certainly received letter from you, il
which you declared that you had never love-
me-
John" she cried, Il did not write tina
letter!n
You did not write itf
mo. l never saw it
Florence Grahame, what do you meanf'
Il mean that the letter which you receives
two years ago, and which you supposed wa
written b. me, was a forgery"
"Who wrote itF'
81 do not know"
John Macomber looked long and earnestl
into the face of the girl before him, and b
said to himself that truth lay in her eyes an
on her face.
Then you were true! he said slowly.
), YES she answered; and when he turne
away without word, forgetful OF pride, fol
getfuI of everything except that she love
him, she cried out, ''Oh, John, you hay
ceased to care for me!'
; "God only knows how l love you!"
said, with his face still turned away
|, Then why do you not speak to meT'
i Slowly he turned his face, and its dead
whiteness frightened her.
"Oh, my love- she cried, what is it!7
"Hushln he said hoarsely Il am ma
n ried man!n
For while she looked at him in daze
;, manner, unable to realize what he mean
then, as comprehension came to her, 81
J stretched out her hands and turned ava
!, = with long, low cry that told of the death
q life's bright hope,
For while neither spoke. How the ma
Il longed to take the slender figure in his arm
and murmur loving words of comfort. Ho
his heart ached to tell her of all the passio
: ate love and longing that filed him, and
i how dull and joyless his life would be wit
- out her.
But it could not be. Another woman stoC
. between them. Another woman claimed b
Il loving words and caresses, and he could on
stand there in silence, his heart breakir
u with love and pity for the girl before him.
Presently Florence raised her head al
y said in low, stifed voice:
3 s'Gom
N my poor lover he murmured tenderly.
< "Gom she repeated. "Go, | sayl' and wit
g. out word he left her-Wayerley Magazir