Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-08-18
CHAPTER III.
Till, TOTAL ECLIPSE.


awake echoes there, not because it is
far from the busy center Of the city, for
1t leads directly ont Of an important ave-
nue. through which there is much pass.
hing. but because it is not n thoroughfare.
IOn two sides substantial brick houses
present an uninterrupted front to the
street. On the third side high picketed
fence prevents 1t from leading over n
solid pile ~ masonry, rising only to its
| luycl and known as a seq wall, directly
| into the river. Ballavoine place and all
the streets in this vicinity occupy what
D., termed made land" for the time
was not long ago when the tide from the
u.chburing harbor flowed twice a day
over the salt marshes go feet below the
present paved and solid surface. There.
fr- It is that the buildings are all new
and stately. and that only well ito do
people live here. No 90 is the last house
uu the street next the river. 1t is SO near
it indccd that only a narrow COURTYARD
iutrrvcncs between the sea wall and its
foundation stones. This house is what is
popularity termed ian apartment house"
that is to say, it is let out in suits.
horr 10y floor, to different families.
In December, 1884, the name ON the
books vi the lessee Of this house against
suit No. i, which comprised the rooms
IN the upper story, was Julian Maxey.
In that month of that year and week
after the episode on the cliff road the art
Isl was talking with his friend, the
physician, in the large square chamber
rht. lt.f in stf,vin iol, h.
ruStomcd to call his sitting room. The
great easy chairs and the comfortable
sofa IL this apartment seemed to war
rant the appellation. The piano, the nu-
merous rows of we'll filled bookshelvcs
and q sideboard with decantcr ON it
somewhat widened the range of posi-
bilities, however, and the presence of q
bed, shut III with pretty lace curtains,
made the term entirely inadequate to
the subject. 1t was q room, in fact, in
which u stranger might have spent days
and nights of profit and amusement
without the necessity of going out very
frequently for anything pertaining to
luxurics or necessities, bodily or mental
~. Indian clubs and dumbbells ON a shelf
IN a corner afforded an opportunity for
iudpor exercise; the sideboard was
treasury OF rCfreshmont; there was read
ing enough for years study. The walls
were covered with pictures, and half
painted canvas on an easel near d win
dow showed another in the process Of
manufacture. There was q cheerful fire
IN an open crate. On the center table
was a sewing basket, some fancy work,
several uncut magazines and papers, a
cigar case and n reading lamp. From
any point in the room the occupant
could command view Of the broad riv-
cr and of the fields and spires on the
farther shore. 1t this time of year the
fields and hills were white, and the river
was full Of ice.
The doctor had just come out of q
windowless alcovoo chamber, which might
be- separated from the main apartment
by curtains, now prcttily looped back.
Ii the obscurity beyond could be seen
bed and the face Of q young woman-
a pale face, with large, dark eyes, which
rpycd about inccssantly, as if in quest
ut u horror that never came.
How does she seem today?' Julian
NaXcy questioned in a tone of deep anx-
Icty.
Just Us she has been since we found
her, just rs she seems likely to I've for
the rest Of her days-in state of total
eclipse" There was NO air of popularity
about Dr. Lamar's manner. He was
very much dissatisfied with the situa-
ton, although his concern was of Il diff
forcnt nature from Maxey's. A medical
problem that baffled him always aroused
IN him grim antagonism that was fer
from humorous.
lyon don't mean to tell me You arc
lightning to look upon this as hope
loss case?" Maxcy exclaimed in conster
nation. Whenever Maxey got excited,
his hair promptly exhibited tendency
to assuine nm erect attitude, and his neck
tie inevitably became awry. Lamar not
ed that he was now somewhat excited.
II mean to tell you, as have told
you, that even partial recovery is very
improbable. 4"
But you will not say impossible?"
They are synonymous terms with
most of us. For my part, am cautious.
There is the one chance in million
that always exists"
Miss Maxcy had come into the room
In time to hear this disheartening reply.
She spike M with almost hysterical en-
phasis:
And that one chance will save her.
! believe too much i'll the justice Of
heaven to think for u moment that sl>e
will lie herc and die with closed lips.
don't, / can't believe it. As sure as
there is God or any Providence in
human events, the time will come when
that poor girl will speak and denOunce
the inhunan monster who pushed her
from the roadv'
You believe in poetic justice, Miss
llaxey. Unfortunately for me, am a
practical physician and obtain my idea
of human events from life and not from
novels. The time may come, 1t is true,
but to say that it will is toshow depth
OF confidence in my skill and ability
which hardly possess myself. This girl
49,. 4