Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-04-08

Il
winter long. This was the first real day
of rest; yet, with all its sweetness and
sunshine. had it not been full of tears?-
full of vague unrest and longing? And
now even the sunshine was going, and
the cleaning was slowly settling down
upon the valley.
Far over the eastern heights the sill
very shield of the soft May moon was
peeping into view; but the fairy shafts
of her gentle light could not yet pene-
trate tho gathering gloom here in the
grove where swung the hammock Still
the hot tears came tricliling down be-
tween the white fingers and. Welding
at last to the nouraful influence
of the dying day, Georgia Marshall
wept Observation-Disclosures while great
sobs shook her frame; and while one
fluffy kitten, disturbed in her intended
nap, stretched forth L furry paw and
lifted up n querulous note of remon-
STRANGE, her companion, suddenly dis
lodged from her coy nest in Georgias
lap, claTed vigorously back upon the
heaying folds of the summer fabric,
glared around in excited search for the
possible cause of such seismatic disturb
arce, and instantly set back pair of
tiny ears, arched furry back, bristled
her stiilening tail, and gave vent to
spitefpl challenge at the fell disturber
of her peace. There stood man.
tail young fellow, erect and power
ful IN build, clad in civilian garb, but
striding across the lawn with the swing
of a trooper, halted suddenly not ten feet
away anu lifted from KS shapeiy head Il
2at handed heavily with Grape The
,cXt instant he had hurled this aside.
stepped quickly forward, utterly ignor-
ng pCssy's hostile grise, had thrown
himself on one knee beside the ham
mock, and the dropping mustache al
most swept the soft, white hands as he
mpetuously seized them.
Georgia" he whispered.
Heavens. what a start! In her wild
CONSERVATION she recoiled from his
touch, striving at the same instant to sit
erect. Hammocks are not made for
combinations so eccentric. The next
instant the flimsy thing had slipped from
under her and she felt herself going
Drowning men catch at straws; drown
ing women seize the hand they would
have stunned. But for his sudden
spring, but for prompt clasping arms,
She would have gone headlong to the
ground on the opposite side. For min
ute she was held IN close embrace, a con-
fused mingling of dusty braids, of throb-
bing femininity, of holly blushing, tear
wet face. of cool linen lawn and clinging
hammock netting. Then her hands re-
gained their cunning and found his
broad shoulders and she pushed herself
free, and then historical laughter came
to her aid and the shaded grove rang to
a peal that, if not merry, was at least
irresistible, and at last, as she sat there
restored to equilibrium and striving to
regain her whirling senses as he stood
patiently bending over her, half praying
that the inspired hammock might yet
attempt some new freak, she glanced up
at him through smiles and tears and dis
ordered bangs only to say:
How utterly absurd!'
To which philosophical remark he
vouchsafed no reply whatever.
1t is full minute before she RECEIVERS,
even partially, either breath or self
possession. Then she holds forth her
hand, and he assists her to rise.
This IS not the welcome should give
you. Shall we go to the house?"
But even as she asks and her eyes
glance nervously, shyly, up into his face,
she knows he will accept no invitation
that will peril this tete-a-tete. She sees
how the lines have deepened in his
frank, soldierly face, and that sadness
not all of his recent bereavement has
left its traces there. She would lead
him from the shaded grove to the par
lor, where the lamps are already begin
ming to twinkle, but he will not bulge
one step. He stands confronting her
No! / have come solely to see you.
Is there any reason why we cannot stay
here a moment?' And she can think of
none. Oh, what infamous fate that he
should have found her weeping-bathed
in tears,
II hardly thought to see you at all,
especially after-the great-sorrow of
your fathers DEATH" she falters, her
heart leaping and bounding despite her
effort to be calm.
Il am taking mother north" he an
| swers simply. 1T was cruel blow to
her and q hard one to me. 1t was all
over before l could get home. Mother
VIII spend the summer with her sister
on the st. Lawrence, but she has to rest
IN Cincinnati until tomorrow night.
| left her with old friends this afternoon
and came out here to find you. must
| go back this evening And now have
| you no word of welcome for me? Did
| Won not know that | would cr,-,a Io1-;,r
| you as | do?'
What answer can she make? " head
is dropping low, her hands are clasped
| together, her bosom heaving, her breath
futtering away, and yet how wild joy.
how exquisite hope is throbbing in her
| heart of hearts!
''Georgia"-he speaks impulsively, his
| deep voice trembling-''you made me
accept your answer then and bear my
bitter disappointment without a word.