Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-05-29

| he HAD SEIZED HER HANDS.
well" he replied. avoiding her gaze,
''if that isn't the reason l don't know
what it is. Perhaps l had q cause q
good while ago
And You have forgotten what it
was" she said, laughing. but in her
laugh there was moro of sadness than of
mirth. After a time she asked, DO you
| think mans love is as constant as a
woman's:"
Not always, but sometimes" he an
swered.
But do You believe that a man or a
woman can love twice with equal devo-
tom
Il don't know how it may be with
Others" he answered, "but could never
love but once"
..Oh, You have been in love, then, have
/ YOU
Tomorrow we start for the grave"
he said.
Yes. but You have not answered my
question"
Il will answer it at the grave"
1t was the 30th Of last May. Henry
and Tress sat under the willow. An
other generation of school children had
brought violets from wild places and had
gathered blossoms on the mountain side.
The grave was ablaze with red roses,
white dogwCod blossoms and bluebells.
The sun was low. The cows, ringing
their bells. were going home. Henry
told story which SO often he had re-
lated:
The skirnish was sharp, almost
battle. and there was danger everywhere.
but John was too brave to stand behind
the tree. l was not far away. and the
bullets We're buzzing thicker than bum
blebeos in our meadow, but somehow l
was not afraid Of being hit-1ny mind
was conferred Oh John. What difference
sould it have made if had been shot,
Don't talk that way" she inter
rupted.
But why should I have cared for my
self? There was no one at home waiting
for me to come back hero" He paused
for a few moments. An increase in the
firing to the left caused me to turn in that
direction. and when looked back John
was down"
''1ou have never pointed out the place
where the hospital stood" she said.
He was silent for a time. Il don't like
70 think of the hospital
WHY" she asked.
"Oh. on account of a woman
sYou have answered me at the grave"
sne sad. looking away. lou were IN
love with her"
NO, wasn't, Tress."
Eyes. vOu were"
81 swear I wasn't"
'Yes. You We're"
''Tress. l hated her"
"Hated her! What for:'
because she was your enemy"
My enemy! Henry, l don't know
what you mean. How could she be my
enemy
she loved John
ooh. and IS that all:'
"An," he repeated. isn't that
enough
''To have made her my enemy? No"
"But-but-it's got to come now. John
loved her
"How do You know" She was so
quiet that he was surprised at her.
Il might as well tell you all now.
Here" He took from his pocket an old
and faded letter. He told me to give
you this, but I hadn't the heart. Read
it."
The letter was brief. 1t was the break
ing of an engagement. She read the let
ter and quietly handed it back to him.
He gazed at her in establishment.
"Tress," he cried, ION his deathbed
he married that woman" She did not
answer.
Il say he married her"
"Well:"
ais it possible? Tress, 1 ought to have
told you-ought to have given you the
letter-but l thought you worshiped
him. And why have you decorated his
grave all these years."
Because he was your brother"
"What, I-I-don't"-
'Henry, oh, how stupid you have been,
you"-
She did not complete the sentence. He
had seized her hands. "AIerciful heaven,
girl, have always loved your
"And, precious, never loved John, be-
cause loved you, but was afraid you
would despise me if l were not true to
his memory. You engaged me to him. I
don't know how, but you did,
The sun was down, and the music of
the cowbells was far away.
OPIE READ.