Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-10-27

tl0t 4dCC luct % L IluNc lIIeNl 10 QTaW III.
I could see the mans arms and Shout
ders. He seemed to be holding some.
thing to the light of the fire and staring
at it. But that was dark. All this was
dim, but real-real as you or the room
itself-and yet all the time, if you can
understand such thing, never got the
real fire mixed with the fire that was in
my mind alone. The CRATE was still
there behind the face and shoulders. 1t
was an apparition, and knew it. That
was what terrified me-not then. for I
never Thought of fear, but afterward,
when somebody came in and disturbed
me and I had time to think of it. When
that disturbance came, the phantom
vanished like fash. Afterward it came
to me in the dead Of night and sudden
ly sprang up out of the darkness. Do
you wonder that was afraid such things
might get a hold upon me and tried to
Danish it?''
''Then, in the name Of all that is in.
telligible, why did you sketch it?''
Because, Julian, I wanted to make
it real. Then if l must think of it at all
l could think of it as picture drawn
upon canvas and persuade myself that
it was no hobgoblin that was haunting
me. Perhaps You cannot understand this
feeling, but I tell you truly, after 1 had
materialized that face, it no longer had
the same terror for me. Perhaps ought
to have concealed my work, but never
thought Of your questioning me- DR..
Lamar frightened me So How could he
ever guess what was in my mind:''
eff you had confided in Lamar, YOU
would have done BETTER" said Maxey
excitedly. HE would not only have
driven away the ghost, but he would
have explained him to your entire salts
faction. Why, Annette, if you should
hear Lamar talk, you would be aston
ished to discover what an entirely sim
pie and scientific affair ghost is. Let
me tell you something to relieve your
mind of some of its half superstititious
dread. That face You saw was the
face of a real man. He was your evil
genius, Annette; he it was who took
away your name; he who made your life
so solitary and miserable; he who pushed
You from the sea road and unwittinglv
gave You to me; he who followed you
even here, while you lay in the alcove
room helpless and sick, determined you
should die. He came here into this room,
and not being familiar with the place
mistook in the dark Ellen, who was
resting herself on my bed. for you. He
choked her to prevent her crying out BY
pulling the ends of the silk handler-
chief which she wore about her neck.
Not quite sure even then that it was
you, he dragged her to the fireplace and
threw in newspaper to give him light.
THE noise he made had startled you.
Sick as yOu Were, you understood in a
vague way perhaps that there was dan
ger near you, for we found Won sitting
up in bed. One moment Won We're look
ing into darkness. The next the paper
flashed mp and You saw his face. glar-
ing IN the first moments of his surprise
and alarm at the unfamiliar features Of
my sister. You photographed that scene
on your mind, Annette. You know
what power you have of Installation.
You remember how the doctor once
questioned you about it, and YOU found
out what phenomenon you were in
that direction. Is it so very strange to
you now that that picture should have
come up into your mind again when
you were weak and ncrvous?''
The young wife looked at her hus-
band, bewildered and wondering
Il only dimly understand Won, Ju-
liam. Had l an evil genius? Who was
he? What had done that he should
wish me dead? Julian, you have learn
ed at last the secret of my life. What
is it?''
Tomorrow, darling! Wait till to-
morrow.
Is it best, dear?''
Il think SO. Little wife, do you re-
member the time when You We're loath
to yield yourself to Your love for me,
| because you felt that in making union
with nameless girl / was running a
terrible risk?''
Hush, Julian. My heart is in my
mouth. That fear has never died. In
the midst of all my happiness i have
never been strong enough to lift that
| weight. Oh, l thought some day we
may be sitting here blindly happy in our
| ignorance and the truth Will come! If
1t is as / fear it may be, will Julian feel
still that his course was wise? Will he
| love me quite as much, quite as dearly
| as before? Will there be no shadow of
regret in his heart? Oh, my husband, if
l could believe there would be, should
| be SO miserable!'
Julian gathered her to his heart and
| kissed her with reckless freedom.
Tomorrow, little wife, tomorrow.
you shall know what fool have made
of myseifr'
Lamar, l believe you are wizard. -
| WHY"
| How do YOU arrive at your conclu-
slons? 1t is almost too strange for be-
lief. What possessed you TO question my
wife SO closely the other day about the
origin of that Portrait
Cant you guess? Had you forgot.
temp
Il don't understand you
| mo? Do You recollect the d -cription
given by the janitor of the mysterious
lazy man whose anxiety for your vel