Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-10-14

relatives, were In the main true. Miss An
nable could have made herself useful in
either OF these establishments, but her liberty
was Tar too precious TO jeopardize by any
such arrangement Here In the sky parlor
certain hours OF each day were her own, her
very own.
few hours later Miss Annable was driv-
ing In the park with some friends She
passed both OF her sisters, and their recogni-
ton, though calculated TO deceive her com
panions, was well understood by her. Julia
had communicated with Blanche. and they
had both shown their displeasure In as
marked "A manner as the circumstances would
permit This recalcitraut member OF their
aristocratic family was 10 be brought to
terms. Florence Annable smiled as she
thought OF IT,
Clarke Durivage rode along by the side of
the landau, and chatted with the Young La
dies For the first time since Florence had
decided not To wear any more "cast OFFS her
courage failed her. She felt il TO be a humil-
iating truth that she cared more for this
mans good opinion than for anything else In
the world; TO think that she was quite indie
pendent of remark or criticism from any
other quarter, but not from him, filed her
with confusion and alarm. Mr.. Durivage
had been the only man she had met in society
who had talked 10 her as If she were possessed
of an equal intelligence.
Miss Aunable canvassed the subject very
thoroughly In thcse few minutes Her scorn
OF her own weakness, as shown by the pres
ence OF this man, acted like a spur to her con
science.
'The die is cast" she told herself, as Mr..
Durivage babe her good evening. 81 will
not wear jays, and 50 must play jigs"
The young lady did not estimate her mu-
steal talent at its true value II was almost "A
case OF genius. She could play the works Of
the most favored composers. and with power
and expression which delighted the most crit
ical And so IL came 20 pass that Miss Flor
ence Annable was engaged ut regular pro-
fessional prices to play for n party at the
house Of the wealthy aud distinguished Mrs.
Van Cortland. Her sisters were both pres
ent, but neither of them came near her during
the evening, and in this way the world found
out there had been n quarrel
GOOD evening, Miss Florence
GOOD evening, Mr.. Durivage."
ut Is rather singular there is no one here
20 play but YOU the gentleman remarked.
81 have been waiting half hour TO invite
you 20 dance
ut is not in the least singular, Mr. Duri-
vage,n said the musician, smiling heroically,
''for l am regularly employed TO play for
Mrs Van Cortlands guests this evening""
The plunge was made. the worst was over,
and Florence felt that she could look herself
squarely In the face when the evening was
over.
And you-you have strIck out in this
way for YOURSELF"
There was strange quality in the gentle
mans voice that his companion did not I'M
derstnnd
"Struck OUT" Miss Aunabls laughingly
answered. That's good phrase. 1t requires
muscle, assure you
But your sisters. Miss Florencer
"Thoy are here You must have seen them
The next piece Is quadrille, Mr. Durivage
Please listen to it critically. IL is my own
composition"
The music was success The applause and
excitement that followed its conclusion
amounted TO an ovation. Mr.. Durivase drew
near the piano and read the title
ladies and gentlemen" he said, in loud,
clear tones, ''ths name OF the original quad
rifle which has 50 delighted Is Rags and
Jass and Velvet Gowns"
There came time when Florence Annable
could tell her friend, Mr.. Durivage the
whole story, and the following is the sub
stance Of his reply;
IL determined" he said, ito WOO and win
you that night at Mrs. Van Cortlsnd's. l
had cared for you from the first day Of our
acquaintance, but how could help feeling
that you might be- like your sisters-ultra
fashionable, purse proud, regardim only OF
appearances What kind OF helpmeets would
your sisters make II misfortune should over
take their husbandsi Aud then, Florence,
have always maintained that it was just as
reprehensible for woman 10 be idle and de
pendent as for a man. As 10Y wife, TIERS
will be no need for you TO continue your pro-
fessional career, but your talent must never
be neglected., and for two reasons: First, 10
cause IL will always be our greatest source Of
enjoyment, and next, because every woman
should always hold in her hands the means OF
support. True Flag.