Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-03-08

Inc elder sister sat down again on the OPP
posite side OF the fire from the visitor, with
an inarticulate murmur of embarrassment
he mistook for dissatisfaction. Her face was
as fine and cool as q marble Minerals. She
leaned back in her chair, her beautiful hands
overlapping one another at the wrists, and
relieved artistically by the maroon Of her
velvet gown. She looked altogether COM
posed and trife weary. Heavy rain had
come on with the night and in the dead, brief
silence succeeding Saras flight they heard
the wash and thud OF the wind driven food
against wall and window.
Dan Hyde might not be a confident lover,
but bis was not the faint heart that never
wins. He led of tolerably well
How cozily delightful home and freside
are on a night like thisl" he began, in a
natural, colloquial strain.
VERY" responded Lucy, dryly.
1T makes one long for a home OF his own
was the wooer's next advance
Lucy's face paled aud stiffened She gaxed
steadily into the ruddy palpitations o! the
CRATE, and could not have spoken to save her
soul.
At that exact instant an ignited lump Of
coal ratified from the top OF the heap into tue
fender and both stopped for the tongs Dan
secured them, picked up the fragments, laid
them In place, restored the tongs to the rack,
crossed the rug, aud took a chair beside
Lucys. Another chatter called his eye 70 the
unlucky dire. The tongs had slipped their
moorings and lay kicking widely on the
hearth. As quickly as her sister could have
moved Lucy sprang forward, set them up
and crossing the rug in her turn, took
straight backed reception chair, the whole
width OF the hearth distant from her sutton
Dams face glowed like the hottest Goals, To
which Lucy's eyes went back with show of
tranquil interest, then it paled to the hue OF
cold ashes.
II would be "a conceted fool if | did not
understand why YOU d. that, Miss Knight
he said, husklly IL came here tonight to
say something TO you which | see you are not
willing TO hear. have too much respect for
you 20 torment you with an unwelcome suit
Good night, Lucy God bless you"
He took up the impassive fingers that lay
like ice in his. With such an effort as tue
dying make 10 speak she forced three words
through her throat:
II am sorry"
II know you are sorry for my disappoint-
mcnt You have nothing to reproach your
self with. You never lured me on 10 pro-
posal You are all noble, all maidenly.
Good-by again."
IL took Sara sixty.seven minutes by the
hall clock to look for the borrowed volume,
aud then she presented heself below stairs
empty handed Lucy sat alone by the dying
tire. The wind howled fiendishly and hiss
ing drops of hail found their way down the
chimney.
Where is Danf' Sara stopped just within
the door to calculate.
He went away soon after you left US
said Lucy, indifferently, or dreamily.
Lucy Knight If you have sent him Off,
will never forgive you! prepared you for
what he had to say!'
II Lucy ever sneered, there was a sheer
now upon her proud mouth. She dragged
herself 10 her feet, which feltaead and queer
Sitting so long in the straight backed chair
had cramped her limbs But she walked
firmly across the room To- shut tine piano
Perhaps you prepared me II little too
well" she SAID We will not speak of II
again. MIR. Hyde has nothing To complain
Of, nor have / How 10 rains [ hop tho
sashe, ARE locked all over the house"
year later there was wedding at which
Dan Hyde was the bridegroom Among the
first 10 follow this cOngrutglatOry relatives
when the ceremony was over. came the twin
sisters sara leaned upon the arm of her
lately We id-d husband II, arch and piquant
~ ever. Lucy was 81 the escort Of a per
tunctory usher. VINO was slightly afraid OF
her
Il congratulate you Mr. Hyde" she said.
ia her low, rich monotone, looking him di-
rectiy Ia the ewes. She could not say less
She never wasted wOrds
New England man " HON his best friend
described IA IA volcano shut up VA au ice
berg, once spoke to Inc Of his agony or in.
communicablenessr
Let those whose channels Of speech ar,
deep and free, connecting, without obstruc
ton, with the heart, thank God for a bless.
Ing received and n sorrow withhold.
That girl should have been christeued
Heeia" said Dan Hydes quick sighted, warm
hearted wife 10 him after the bridal call paid
to them by the sisters
Dan laughed lightly. He was a sensible.
practical fellow and very much in love with
his second choice.
The volcano is the work of your magma
ton, my pet. Or, II you are in the right, life
Is too short 20 be spent In thawing a thou
sand feet OF ice upon the chance Of finding
fire at the bottom. Marion Harlspd In
New York Ledger.