Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-02-18
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BrefoD
BY CHARLES ]. BELLAMY.
Copyrighted by the Author, and published
by arrangement with him
BY CHARLES ]. BELLAMY.
CHAPTER XIX.
A RADICAL.

all these empty golden favors.
II am sick OF their soft ways and thei
lying tongues" she moaned; ''why didn't
waltz Jane Ellingsworth began TO wal
rapidly about the room, wrenching the grea
gold bands about her wrists, unconsciou
that she chafed and bruised the skin
II might have known God would not den.
him TO me wanted him 50 much, Oh, M.
love, my darling, | would have fought TO
you, would have starved for you 1t woult
have been sweet with you, and | could no
wait one year ! might have known it wOul
come, but could not wait She drove he
nails into her flesh rs she Caspcd them in he
anguish. She painted for breath; her ric
silk dress seemed to sulfocate her, and tn
perfumed air was too heavy and dead
seemed to strange her
He is free: he would have opeHed his arm
10 me lie may be coming now TO ask me L
go with him He could never have love-
that cold, bloodless creature. All, how
could have loved him | would have laugh
him that woman can love-
She unclaspod her hands and let them fal
gently TO her side, and her convulsed fac
took on new, soft tenderness. II would &,
with him. she murmured. ~ hungry hear
cannot feed on such things as these, Oh, bu
he would not have me, low creature VIII
has sold herself; he would not have me. II
would despise me; he would not oven look a
me
She fell back in one of the satin covere,
chairs size had bought with her husband
money, and cried and sobbed till the sal
fountains dried up. 1t was then, while sh
sat silent and fearless, looking at her bruised
wrists and at the wounds her nails had made,
that she heard familiar, delicate tread in
the hall 1t was as well Mr.. Ellingsworth
did not catch the expression on her set, weary
face as his tall form appeared in the doorway.
lie seemed TO her fancy that moment the
most terrible monster in the world this ele-
giant figure of a man, whose disposition was
the worry essence of refinement, and she
dropped her eyes to the carpet us he came
toward her with his eternal smile.
IAN alone. Jennie' Why you have dropped
your chain, here it is on the floor
"Oh, thank you" but she shuddered in spite
of herself as he seated himself near her and
warmed her hands fondly between his own
soft, white palms.
my little girl he began
Yes she was his, his and no others, his
every day and hour of her life, for hadn't
he bought her, and what better title was there
than that by purchaser She raised her eyes
and made them rest on his fine, smooth
shaven face She had never noticed before
u certain cold and cruel light in his eyes, as
if he could enjoy keenly the torture of a
living soul, or that beside the sensual lines
of his finely chseled mouth there was a
suggestion of an exquisite brutality on the
thin lips She trembled before him.
II have favor to ask of you" He looked
admiringly at her as he spoke. Mr.. Filings
worth never tired of the rich, oriental type
of his wifes beauty. If Berthas mother had
been like her there need never have been any
unpleasant stories in the community on her
score. And Jane was lovelier than ever to-
day, with this peculiar brilliancy in her eyes
and the bright red spot on either dark cheek.
She didn't know how to furnish her parlor
very well, but he had never yet been sorry
he married her. She seemed to understand
so well how to manage him, never too fond,
always a little on her guard, like judicious
artist, who will not let even the most ardent
admirer come too near his canvas.
at is about BERTHA" he continued, not
seeming to notice her start. ''She has left
that fellow. l haven't troubled you before,
but she has been alone up in Nineboro for a
good many months l think best she should
come home now. 1t will be in better taste"--
Mr. Ellingsworth rose to his feet at a rum
bling noise and stepped to the window. When
he came back the color had faded from James
cheeks and her small mouth closed very tight.
Her hands were trembling violently, but she
had hid them in the folds of her dress, SO her
husband could not see her intense excitement.
Her heart was beating loudly; her old mad
ness seemed coming upon her again, but this
mans cold, smiling face subdued her.
when is she cOmingT
~ didn't know but that was the carriage;
well, l suppose she may be here,n he glanced
ot hiS al oh mar m n n
or two"
The girls lips quivered; she almost broke
into a passion Of angry words; the hate that
seetheG in her heart for that woman was al
most bubbling forth its bitterness. But the
cool assurance on her husbands face, as his
keen, pitiless eyes seemed to search out all
the secrets of her SOUL cowed the woman.
She rose and moved, as one in a dream, to-
ward the door.
81 must get things ready then" And SO
this was what her gentle voiced husband
called asking IA favor of her. She did not
love him, but she feared him, now as she re-
membered her secret She would obey his
nod as if she were his dog, she would study
the signs on his placid face. He had never
anything but smiles and kind speeches for
her, but she would have sunk into the very
earth at his feet rather than that he should
open his mysterious armory of Instruments
of deadly torture for the soul.
"Well, we'll, l thought she would make
more fuss"
The afternoon sur was well down on his
last stretch when Philip Breton came back
from his factory, and up the street toward
Mr. Ellingsworth's house. There was some
one with him, man so tall and slight that
the weight of his head, which was quite
large, seemed to bow him. 1t was an old
s,,l. tIs, Ill,
his face, but he had hardly enough hair to
show whether it was gray or only tlaxen.
you have done splendidly, my boyl" 1t
was an old acquaintance of Philips, whom
he had used to talk philosophy with at col
lege, one of those benevolent minded gen
tlemen who are so optimistic that they have
to go to boys for sympathy. "Splendidly,n
he repeated, "only why stop just where you
arel If every mill owner would do in his
mill what you have DONE it would be a grand
thing for this world. But they won't. Now
you have started beautifully, but there is
too much business to your PLAN
Philip smiled argumentatively. 1t was
like his boyhood returned to hear the old
mans mellow tones.
But, Mr.. Philbrick an honest business
man can do more good than a dozen imprac-
ticable philanthropists like YOU
But think of the things that business
principles never can regard. Your help
work ten weary hours day, all Their poor
lives; business demands that, doesn't it,
Well, say that is where benevolence must
come in. 1t is terrible to he shut up as they
are: it kills body, mind and soul. Business
principles never can save them,n said the old
gentleman, turning his kindly eyes on the
young mill owner; philanthropy, l don't
care what you call it, some gentle spirit of
love ought to lift the burden that brushes the
life and hope out of them, contrary to bust
ness principles, higher than business prin-
ciples.n
As Mr. Philbrick finished, close carriage
rolled by them and stopped little beyond,
where gentleman and lady stood to welcome