Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-05-19


tainly her eyes were very lovely. They
thrilled him through aud through.
II want to ask You. then, /" sho said
somewhat nervously, why you allow
those people to believe what they be-
lieve about you:'
She felt him vince slightly.
There was silence. The monotonous
throbbing Of the engines amidships
mingled with floating scraps Of half
heard talk and laughter.
Then Carew said in q hard, bitter
voice: Unfortunately am not respon-
siblc for their beliefs, Mics Neville.
Besides. what they believe of me may
be-truc. l am-pardon mean utter
stranger to you you have no reason to
believe in my innocence
Il do believe in your innocence.
though" she murmured, an excited
thrill running through her voice,
May ask why?" He spoke clear.
ly. but she felt his arm tremble under
her hand.
For one swift moment she looked mn
at him. ard her eyes were full of tears.
But he did not see them, for he was
gazing straight before him.
"Why?" she repeated, with a Curl
GUS sobbing little laugh. because 1
-know!"
A minute later she was gone, and he
was watching the last flutter of her
gown disappearing in the direction of
the stairway.
Late that night Carew sat in his
cabin, leaning his elbows on his knees,
and staring earnestly at something he
held between his fingers, something that
twinkled and sparkled as the light of
the electric lamp fell upon it. 1t was
a broad gold gypsy ring, richly chased,
and set at intervals with largo dia-
monds. Inside were two Roman let
tiers formed of tiny seed pearls.
For two days after that it blew n
pretty fair gale. 1t rained a good deal,
too, at intervals; and such of the pas
sergers as were not violently seasick in
their berths kept to the saloon or the
music room, with the exception of two
or three hardy males, of whom Carew
was one.
As he passed the door of the stairway
toward the evening of the second day,
he saw Miss Neville, who had lust
struggled so far. and was clinging to
the door to windward. She was look
ing white and i'll, he thought, but when
he told her SO she only laughed.
DO You care to come for a turn ?''
he said. 1T doesn't rain now, and l
will take good care you don t fall, - he
added.
She consented, but the steamer was
| pitching SO heavily that after n few
turns Miss Neville said she would rath-
er sit down.
SO Carew provided her with a shell
tered seat, brought a warm rug to wrap
about her feet and seated himself beside
her. 1t was now almost dark. A few
stars shone here and there in the stormy
sky.
The wind shrieked and whistled
drearily. The deck was deserted. For
quite n long time both were silent.
Then Carew said in half whisper:
You are trembling. You are not
afraid of the storm, are you? 1t is moth
ing for the hay, assure you.'
mol am not afraid"
"You feel quite safe here with me?''
he went on. sinking his voice lower yet.
Yes" she answered somewhat
TREMENDOUSLY.
After a pause he laid his hand on
hers as it rested on her knee and said
in IN odd, deliberate kind of way:
will you let me take care of you al
ways? l mean as my wife. ! have
grown to love you very dearly, and !
think could make you happy"
For perhaps a minute there was utter
| silence.
Then Carew Withdrew his hand, say
ing hastily and in an indefinably
changed voice: "Ah! you do not care
for me. Perhaps it is as well, and per
haps / had no right TO ask you to do so.
| forgot for a moment that 1 am a man
under cloud-a cloud that in all prob
ability will never be lifted, for l tell
| you honestly ] have no means of right
ing myself. Forget what have said. "
The words and tone were hardly lover.
like, but there was a slight, almost i'm.
perceptible culver in the deep voice.
| A small hand stole softly into his.
! II do care for you, said happy lit.
tie voice. land would take your word
against all the world"
Another pause. Carew did not ever
press the hand he held. Then he said
harshly: But suppose 1 cannot give
you my word? Suppose tell you tina,
l am what our fellow passengers thini
am?" =
Il should not believe you," was the
confident answer.
But if tell you that you must be
lieve me?'' His face as he looked down
was very pale and wore an expression
she could hardly fathom.
She uttered half suppressed little
cry, but she did not take her hant
away-only nestled it farther into his.
He grasped it almost painfully; theI
let it go.
Foolish, trusting little woman, HI
said in a strange voice. Must ] givt
you proof that your trust is-mis
placed"
He held out his other hand to her
In its palm lay the ring. Even in thu