Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-03-30
ST. LUKE'S SUMNER.
IF she be not so to me.
What care | how fair she


sung Ronald Hume, with considera BILE
conviction and a very decent baritone
voice.
That's all nonsense" said girl
who was sitting on the floor in a large
bay window of the room surrounded
by bound volumes of Punch.
whats all nousense?" asked the
singer.
why. that sentiment of yours. It's
'narrer. Fair for you, indeed! That
is mere detail; the fairness is the
important point, whether the subject
be a woman or teapot! That is, of
course, if you have any taste or decent
feeling; but possibly that is the trouble.
Don't you agree with me, May?" APP
pealing to the accompanies, who was
still sitting at the pianoforte.
AS to the 'narrerness' of the senti-
ment | suppose you mean?" she said,
smiling. We'll, l had not thought
much about it, to say the truth, but
did think how well your brother was
singing, and evidently that must have
struck you, too, Lucy, since you at
tackled him on his faithful rendering of
another mans thoughts"
There, Luz" exclaimed Ronald. tri-
umphantly, with his eyes fixed eagerly
on the last speakers face. What a
pity it is that you, too, could not take
that view of my performance.
Il should have striven to do so, my
dear, if l had any grounds for pre-
Stunning that my favorable opinion
could affect you so strongly as-as
Mr.. Rosseter," interrupted Ronald,
hastily, have you anything sharp or
sweet to say about my song? | think
it is yOur turn now, "
The man addressed was leaning back
on deep sofa-seat in the Swallowed
recess between the windows. One
arm was pillowed on a heap of cushions.
the hand shading eyes that looked
steadily toward the pianoforte. the
other Law across an open book that he
had been reading.
Il am afraid, Ronald" he said. let
ting his appraised arm drop. and lifting
himself slightly-~I am afraid that
| agree with Lucy in not much admiring
the last words of your song. They
are philosophical, no doubt. and sooth-
inc. but algue a rather poor capacity
for enjoyment. 1t is indeed well to
hold rs ones own any perfect thing,
whether. rs Lucy says, IL be 4 teapot
or woman; but 4 thing of beauty
should indeed be Il JOY forever "a sad
JOY. perhaps. If the treasure be out of
reach, but still a Joy. by reason of its
beauty. not of our possession. There
is a sermon Tor you, And all the
time. as Lady May said, Won were only
rendering faithfully. as should all good
opponents, the opinions of another
that is so. Lucy"
Possibly" she answered, rather i'm
patiently. Il say. Ronald, if You are
going to ride over to the Sandfords
III ln IafA Il N
better be off? May and | are going
over to Roseveare. Come, take an oar
won't you, Mr.. Rosseter?"
Yes, with pleasure
"We shall be ready in ten minutes.
Come, May" and the two girls left the
room.
Its rather hard luck having to 60
all that way this afternoon, isn't it?"
said Ronald, "just to take a message to
those Sandford girls, too"
Il thought you told me in the winter
that those girls were very pretty and
lawfully good sort9'"
"Oh, SO they are, of course; but
then-you see"
a smile well, cheer up, my boy; it
won't last long, and-you have time
before you"
Yes" rather moodily, Il have time
before me-and what else?"
Luke Rosseter looked at the hand
some young face, now somewhat down.
cast.
as it not delicious doubt then?"
he asked.
Good heavens, no, l hate that sort
of thing. The worst certainty is bet
ter than the fairest doubt-to me-"
"Ah!" he softly whispered the con-
Guiding bars of Ronald's song. Then
the remedy is in your own hands,"
"I-suppose so. Well, l must be
off. 1 wish we could change places"
he said. laughing, "for this afternoon"
"For this afternoon" Rosseter MUIR
INJURED, as Hume left the room. as
youth generous?"
MAY" said Lucy Hume to her friend
when they were coming downstairs.
II won't ask you to come up to the
house at Roseveare. If they are out
/ shall only have to leave a message,
and if they are in l sha'n't stay very
long. You won't mind sitting in the
boat with St. Lukep"
"St. Luke!"
"Oh, that is what mother and / al
ways call him, his name being Luke.
He really is saint"
Dear me! shouldn't have thought
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