Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-04-06


She withdrew early and sought her room,
weary and heartsick
"Oh,n she said aloud, in O troubled voice,
docs he know I am here, and still remain
aloofY'
She sat there alone, white and sad; her face
wet with tears; her heart torn with conflict
ing emotions and terrible fear that he had
forgotten her. The next morning, after a
sleepless night, she started out alone, her
cheeks pale, her spirits dropping. She shaped
h0r course for hidden retreat behind the
rocks, where she had often dreamed away
hours uninterrupted. As she neared the place
she saw that her favorite rocky seat was
already occupied by an intruder. He sat In
q responding attitude, with his head resting
on his hand and his gaze directed toward the
sea. Occupied with her own thoughts, Ruby
was about to turn away without taking any
notice OF him, when he changed his position,
removed cigar from bis mouth, blew forth
q cloud Of smoke and Ruby saw who it was
Her footsteps had given no sound on the
soft sand He had not heard her, She stood
perfectly still, trembling 80 that she could
scarcely stand Here was the man for whose
presence she had longed for all these sad
years, and now she dared not speak to him.
He might receive her patience with scorn,
and might be married. Terrible, cruel
thought While this was passing through
her mind she was startled by hearing some
one coming that way whistling. Not wish
ing to be seen, she sprang behind q conven-
lent bowlder, just in time to escape the eyes
OF the new conner, who was the same man she
had seen with Jack the day before.
The man came up and stopped beside Jack,
who said, impatiently: "Why did you come
for me so soonP
why, en-, you said come in an hour and
1t is up, sure"
u don't believe it's up" Jack cried vio-
iently, "but because am poor, blind stick
you think you can fool me. But you can't.
Go away and let me be in peace If you can,
and don't dare to come near me again under
an hour from now. Do you understand an
hour from now, a whole hour"
Yes, sir, understand, replied poor Peter
deprecatingly, preparing to move off, after
casting glance at the watch he wore to make
sure of the time.
Stay" called Jack, irritably. First tell
me If any one Is anywhere in sight. don't
want to sit here as a show for any one if
can help it."
Not a soul, sir, to be seen," responded
Peter, cheerily.
Then clear oat,n was the gentle reply.
After Johns retreating form was lost to
view Ruby stole forth pale and trembling
her cheeks moist with tears Of pity. How
wretched he looked-how sad-how she pitied
him. She forgot everything except her love
for him and wished to comfort him. On the
impulse of the moment she went tohim and
put both soft, round arms around his neck,
and laid her cheek against his Her sudden
embrace aroused him ef?ectually from the
gloomy thoughts he was indulging In, and
gave him a little shock But as soon as he
could collect his scattered senses he became
aware that it was q woman Yes a woman! !
A mad woman, no Doubt Did she intend to
strangle him, or whats The novelty Of it
pleased him He remained perfectly still and
awaited developments like philosopher
'Jack-Jack Hunter, don't you know met"
said fearful voice in his ear.
"Heavensl That voicel Rubyn he cried.
doubtingly, but nevertheless throwing both
arms about her and drawing her to him
while he rained kisses on her face At Last
be drew her gently down on the rock beside
him and said: My darling, words are not
needed to tell me it is Ruby, or that you love
ma pnff fall -,
He did not ask how or why she happened
to be there. He did not care That she was
there was the one supreme thought of that
happy moment.
II am still Ruby Howard she rnurmured
In reply.
Thank Godl" he said, reverently, land
for this hour And now, will you, can YOU
heart Of my heart, marry me, as | ana
blind manf'
"Yes, Jack, gladly, if you will have me.
have longed for you ever since you left
me-" she whispered.
MY treasured" he cried 1T was cruel
Of me. We will never part again; we will
get married at once-within the week. be
went on In the eager overmastering way
that she well remembered Your people
viii not object, fondly imagine. for l am
rich, yon know, and all that; besides, am
only blind for a season. My blindness Is the
result Of an accident-happy accident-that
brought me home to consult specialist. He
tells me, IL be patient and very careful,
/ will zee in six months and perhaps sooner
Oh, if 1 could only see nowl BIT can wait,
and would not change places with any one
on earth Albany Journal