Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-08-21
CHAPTER III.

ti.tlyhhh) was ihhoceht.
CHAPTER III.
BROKEN To PIECES.
A girl stood before the fire in the lit.
tie drawing room Of little London
fat. IL was nftcrnoon-an afternoon in
Mny-but there was rs yet no warmth
If spring in the London air. and the fire
was burning ~ mcrrily ~ III January.
The room was prcttily and artistically
furnished. twas bright with hangings,
pictures and flowers: u side table was
covered with books; there was revolv-
ing bookcase. Through the open door
was caught glimpse Of another room,
where were shelves laden with books.
This was the dining room. Margaret
Cholmcley WAS u girl with certain
amount" Of money. She was girl
without parents. Her brothers were
married. She was emancipated enough
10 desire personal freedom. She had it
with u latchkey, and an old servant to
look after u young servant i'll this fiat
of six or seven rooms. Ii Is an ideal life
for those who like perfect freedom and
do not mind occasional loneliness and
have friends, occupations and plenty to
think about. Margaret had all these
requisites for life in chambers. Above
all, she had plenty to think about.
She was serious girl. The lines Of
her face were set for serious purpose.
She looked also resolute girl, and she
appeared to be- clear headed girl. The
regular. clear cut features and the
steady gray eyes showed 80 mucli-a
girl whom some men would call beauti-
full and most men would call cold, u
girl whom women would call not pref
ty-"ccrtainly not prctty"-but good
looking, not what Is called mans
mountaineering. winning and eager
TO pleasc-nor. on the other hand, quite
u woinan's woman. This afternoon she
was in trouble. She gazed into the red
Goals and found in them no solace or
suggestion Of consolation. She twisted
apiece Of note paper in her fingers in
uncertainty. The note contained only
the simple words:
Twin call tomorrow. PAUL.
IL will not SEQ him." she murmured.
''1t is an outrage that he should even
attempt to See me. lie ispublicly, open.
ly disgraced. and by me. He can never
again lift up his head. And I have
done i'll who was going to be his
guardian angel! He will think, sup
pose, that the act was one Of feminine
jealousy and spite. As IL was not
apoVe that! but 10 caii upon me, TO
come h'fc-hse' mter what ne mas
Aohei oh' III Is increuibie! oil, what
miserable woman ! am that should
ever nave loved such man! Will tell
Esther. lie snail not De admitted. lie
snail never come 10 the place again
never, never, new As she lifted her
hafu 10 ring the bell there was loud
and cheerful Knocking Mt the door.
She cropped her hand. She turned
pale. she sank into chair. She heard
her servant Esther feet along the mar
row hall. She heard the opening OF the
door ana the entrance OF manly step.
IL - the last time, she SAID. 1t Is
the very last Time That iwiii see him,
ana So yieided ana gave way.
Her caller, the young gentleman
named Paul Lcighan. stood in the door
way Tor u moment, hcsitating. He was
Beautifully dressed in clcricals and look.
ell almost rs holy ~ he had been two
days before nj the cathedral Then he
stepped III, shut the door gently and
sank INTO chair by the fire, where he
Jay BACK. MS elbows ON the arms, his
fingers touching. with n smile-not the
sweet. sao smile ot penitent, but
cheeriui Smile Not touch of shame
ar repentance or sorrow-a cheerful,
happy smile.
"How can you come here?' she
asked, springing TO her feet and tap
ping the hoor with her foot. How
dare You come here: How dare you:"
You have said something like that
several times before. Maggie. remember,
Jet you have forgiven me"
"Oh. he has donc-donc this-and
that-and everything" She claspcd her
hands. swinging herself TO and fro.