Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-04-29
CHAPTER II.

|
| Yes, found myself unable to go on
with my landscapes from the moment
that she left | called myself an idiot
and tried to shake myself into reason
and common sense, but it was of no use
That sweet, pathetic little face haunted
me- and was in fever of impotence to
see her again. Well, about noon of the
next day she came, as before, with her
dog by her side. 1t was more like a
dream than reality, she was so little like
other girls.
Il ain glad that you have come" |
said quietly, land am going to ask you
to unbraid your hair and let it fall over
your shoulders; will your" Without re-
ply she united the ribbon, slowly I'M
braided and shook loose her wonderful
hair. 1t fell around her like q shadowy
mist, and SO etherealized her that began
to doubt whether she were indeed q
mere human child or the victim of a
mental Authorization. began to out
line my picture, but decided, as much as
love a good dog, to leave hers out and
make an after study of him to please his
little mistress; for l wanted that face.
with its pensive lips and wonderful veil
of hair. to be what it has since become
a mountain dream. She came, day after
day, always gliding in and loosening her
hair without further request from me;
ana she glided as silently into my heart.
In ten days time l knew that l loved
would protect and defend her with my
last drop of blood.
We had talked but little all this time
l had asked her if she was missed at
home, and she said that her father was
away and that Mannella had some Mexi-
cans visiting her; land think they ara
glad to have me away" she said, 'sbut
they quarrel terribly, and although l
can't understand all they say / think
they are talking about mep
Here was danger. What step should
l take: Should ask this child to fly
with me? Never! Better death for both
of US than dishonor for her The CEN
serious world would never have believed
that l would have died to keen nv
Dream, as called her in all my thoughts.
pure and innocent, until the time came
when she could LAY her sweet hands in
mine and trust to me-" Should | 90 to
this nest of Mexican cutthroats and
boldly declare myself her lover, claiming
the right to protect her, and trust to fate?
Most likely the result Of such a step
would be death for me and worse than
death for her. No, must take care of
myself for her sake. To go to her father
was impossible. He was fugitive from
Justice-perhaps swinging from some
impromptu gallows in gorge or canyon.
had no friends in all the great north
west to aid me. | must act alone-but
how?
The picture was nearly finished You
have seen 1t, Jim-the sweet pathos of
the face, the mystic eyes. the cloud of
shadowy hair, the form half yelled in
mist, the background a faint vision of
the mountains | was satisfied. 1t must
have been an inspiration; it was the in
SEPARATION of loye-for TO save nv immor-
tai soul | could no more paint such a
picture now than | could bring the dead
to life. She looked upon it as a miracle.
and upon he as the followers of Christ
may have looked upon him
All this time no word of love had
passed my lips. [ must see my way
clearly before l spoke, and waited and
pondered. Did it never occur to me that
she might be followed and watched?
Yes, l had thought of that, but this
cabin. as you may have observed, COM
mands view of miles. | had watched
her going and coming after the first few
days. could see the little figure far
away as it advanced in coming or faded
in the distance when she departed, and
always she seemed unmolested-and
with her faithful guardian by her side
trusted that she was safe
That smoke gets into my eyes. jim.
What do you say? Tears, Well, am
not ashamed of them Perhaps you
would not have fallen in love with an
outlaws daughter, but | did l loved
her so that no other woman will ever
have any charm for me. However, de-
termined to say no word of my feelings
toward her until could by some means
place her in safety.