Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-01-26

row OF naples that extended to his
cottage door.
One day Idelle peeped at him from
the bow window of her room. 1t
panied her to see the Respondent look
on his face, where every emotion was
mirrored. The forlorn tenderness, so
mute, so pleading, touched her heart
and tears fell from her dropping
lashes.
She was conscious of the error she
had committed; perhaps Ray would
not have been so persistent in pressing
his claim If she had not foolishly en-
Outraged him. He had all the adyan-
tage. because the old people were in
fatuated with the young man. The
entire community sanctioned the
union and voted her away as if she
had no will of her own. She had al
ready rejected him three times, and
prepared herself for the stormy scene
soon to be enacted in the room where
the parents were waiting for her. She
bathed her eyes in cold water and an
swered the summons promptly.
Her fathers irritation was evident
as he exclaimed:
"Idelle, we are panied to learn that
you have refused Mr.. Masterman; he
is rich and well connected, with push
enough to make him a Congressman
though the gods know | wish him no
such bad luck!"
Il do not love him." she said.
"A poor excuse, child" maintained
the squire. Neither did l love your
mother, and yet we married. jamie
was good woman, and never had
cause to regret the step. Expediencv
is the thing in case like this; love
will certainly follow. | have staked
my happiness on this match"
And overlooked mine, papa"
pooh! pooh! Children of your age
should take the advice of older heads.
You wish TO throw yourself away upon
that poor blunderer who has not sense
enough to say his soul is his own.
He is at least honest"
What do you mean?"
3 Ray has blinded you" she answered
with spirit. He is like the pinch
back jewelry in pawnbroker's shop.
When you scratch the gold the brass
is bound to show beneath"
You say this because you can see
no good in Ray; your love for Harding
SauSCS yOu W NC
An hour later Harding knelt by his
mothers side. She brushed back the
tangled curls from his forehead and
kissed it as she softly whispered:
Good night, God bless you BOTH
Masterman's credit castle was likely
to fall and bury him in the ruins
He enjoyed its pleasures with reck-
lessness that was suicidal. His debt
had grown to a considerable amount;
the funds placed in his hands for
safe keeping had melted away.
The squire had loaned him consider
able money. Idelle alone stood be-
tween him and disgrace. How he
hated her! He could deceive others,
but this girl, whose honest eyes peered
behind the mask of hypocrisy.
Her absence for three months was a
calamity that almost overwhelmed
him. But he picked up fresh courage
and settled his debts by promises due
in the fall. He surely must yin her
in the end; if not, there was tiek alter
native of flight. 1t would not be such
bad one; he was not the least in love
with the heiress.
with motives as far apart as the poles.
With Ray the moments were flashes;
the approaching maturity of the prom
issory notes caused the earth to re-
volve in ten hours. Harding thought
the hinges of the globe needed oiling.
With all this discomfort Time neither
hurried, nor retarded his changeless
march, but swung the days into posi-
ton, regardless of mans desires.
Summer passed, and with it the OPP
pressive heat; the tall trees along the
grassy lane were leafess; the cool
north winds whistled through the
branches and made Harding shiver as
he walked rapidly to the station with
stretcher upon his shoulder. The
news had outstripped him; crowd OF
anxious friends were impatiently
awaiting the arrival of the train.
The cars stopped with a jerk that
brought moan of pain from the muf-
| fled figure which gentle hands placed
| upon the stretcher, which was then
| carried up the street and into the
| long avenue that led into the squire's
| gate.
No one could tell how the accident
happened, neither did they know the
extent of her injuries. The door gong
was muffled and no one was permitted
to enter the house The servants tip
toed about the sitting-room, which was
darkened till objects were faint and
indistinct. Even Harding failed to
| gain admission, and contented himself
with the stray information that drifted
into his Office.
Rayland was absent from the village
| Important business in an adjoining
county delayed his return, conse.
| quently he was considerably shocked
when he heard the unexpected news
He hurriedly removed the evidences
of travel and fastened to the squire's
His persistency gained the coveted ad.
mission to the darkened room, where
he played his part like finished actor
the grief was as real as good acting
could make it. He threw himself into
a stacy position and purred:
"ldelle, my darling. my little
| WOUn1p1 bird lot mn Il ~ bo al tI,oe,