Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-02-21

SHOW. tue Olu IldH DelnS ueau, 1Or the
money that he had returned. | had
heard something of his trouble, but was
ordered east on recruiting service just
then, and began to get into troubles of
my own, for it was there | met this
young woman" And the captain, with
eyes that belied his words. turned fondly
to his wife.
The next thing heard of Hearn the
matter had all been most fortunately
settled-thanks to one of our old cap
tains, who. it seems. had known both
Schonberg ami the widow Braine He
took the matter no and the Jew was
glad to drop it. Even Hearn does not
know what hold he had on them, but it
WAS settled then and there. Hearn paid
hundred dollars. and Schonberg, am
told, had to pay the lawyer whom he
had employed, often think, though,
how hard would have been the young
fellows fate if there had been no one to
come to the rescuc There isn't better
or Drawer officer in the Eleventh today
than Hearn. and b Is just us steady as
rock; bat soldiers as good as he have
been driven out OF the army for lack of
some such friend as came to him in his
extremity"
You would have helped him, Fred
dear" silid Mrs. Lane, fondly. crossing
over to the captain and stroking the
grizzled stubble about his brows as
though II were the loveliest hair in the
world. Lane possessed himself of the
soft white hand and threw his arm about
her sharely waist.
81 would certainly had | known, but
nine out of ten do not happen to be able
to help. even when our inclinations
would lead. And then. however much
we believed III Hearn's story and Schon-
berg's rascality, who could prove it,"
WHO did prove it," asked Miss Mar
shall, after pause.
well, no one that know of All we
know is that Schonberg was glad to drop
the matter three years ago when Capt.
Rawlins first tackled the case. Hearn
says he has never alluded to it from that
time to this until the fellows language
today; but that was only some vague
drunken threat"
But if, on the contrary, it should
prove that he meant to make more trou-
BILE for Mr.. Hearn," asked Miss Marshall,
lis Capt Rawlins here"
by Jove!" exclaimed the captain,
starting suddenly to his feet, his face
growing as suddenly grave and sad,
that possibly explains the letter that
| came to me yesterday morning | was
| reading it as you came down to break
fast-a low, anonymous thing, and /
burned it. Now l wish had kept that "
About Mr.. Hearn, was IT." asked
Mrs. Lane anxiously.
Yes; and now can begin to under
stand it, too. Miss Marshall" said he,
turning impressively toward her, 'your
question goes to the very bottom of this
| case. The friend who blocked their
game three years ago is gone; Rawlins
was killed in the last campaign in Ari-
IONA"
"Oh, Fred" cried Mrs. Lane. And
was there no one else who had helped
! Mr.. Hearn?'
mo one but our old Rawlins, Mabel
and of all men to help him now he would
| have been the most valuable here with
our new colonel, for he and Morris had
been devoted and intimate friends in wal
days. and am told the colonel was deeply
| cut UP by the news of Rawlins death
! There was something romantic about
! their early friendship. Capt. Rawlins
was a widower whose wife had died
! within a few years of her marriage, and
! | have heard that both he and Morris
when young officers We're in love with
her, but that she had chosen Rawlins"
But, Capt. Lane" said Miss Marshall
whose thoughts seemed less fixed upon
the romantic than upon the practical
side of the case, surely Mr.. Hearn has
receipts III full for this amount"
Il so understood him, Miss Marshall
and yet do not know the nature of the
papers to which he refers. | think he
said that ne had her letter: but that is oil
less value now"
"And Why" asked Miss Marshall.
Because the widow married Schon
berg"
"'Then must the Jew be merciful.'
| quoted Miss Marshall.
And for few moments not another
word was spoken. 1t was that young
lady herself who broke the silence:
perhaps you think me unduly appre
hensive, Capt. Lane. That mans face
made a powerful impression upon me
when saw him today, and perhaps Ma
bel has tod you something of my OWL
! experience in trying to retrieve my IA
| theirs fallen fortunes when he was toe
| old and broken to do anything for him.
self | learned then the worthlessnes;
of spoken words, and that nothing but
written contracts and receipts were bind
! ing"
She had hardly ceased speak, .. when
| he gate was heard to swing on its rusty
hinges, resolute step creaked across the
piazza, and somebody was fumbling at
| he bell knob
Who can that be ct this hour of the
| Gight?" asked Mrs. Lane. as the captain
| went to the door. The bolts were drawn
back and rush of cold night wind
swept in. causing the lamps to suddenly
| iare and smoke.
! please, sir, is the doctor here?'' a
/