Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-03-10


through the uncurtained window and
made dusty halo around Mark Thorne's
head where he sat writing, only stop
ping at infrequent intervals to wipe his
brow or give an impatient tug to his
damp collar. The conglomerate hum OF
Broadway rose plaintively through the
sluggish atmosphere, the flies hummed
with q sleepy cadence, and even in the
scratch Of Marks pen there was some
thing drowsy and halting. At last he
stopped altogether and flung it from
him, rose and stretched out his hands
with a yawn.
''Whew, what a dayP'
He plunged his hands in his pockets
and looked at the packing cases, all Sc
curely strapped and bearing in bold,
black characters their foreign address.
After this silent scrutiny he lounged
to the window and watched the cars
tinkling past loaded with people, tho
fretful looking foot passengers, elbow
ing one another, in the astounding va
rieties Of fashionable summer negli-
gence.
Not far off came the clang Of an am
bulance bell; watering cart logged
past and sent its shower indiscriminate-
ly over the curbstone and the bare legs
of flying newsboy; scarcely block
away safe was being hoisted to the
fifth story Of one of the huge stone piles
that shut out the sky; a one armed or
gan grinder on the corner played the
drinking song from "Faust" with
wheezy breaks that turned it into
funeral march.
Mark gazed at it all and dimness
came over his pale, nearsighted eyes,
childish tremble to the corners of his
mouth. Oh, how he loved it-dust and
heat and noise-how he loved it'll All
the beauty of Persia had not weaned
him from its strange spell of enchaut-
ment. Often while watching the tender
evening light resting on the snowy
crests of Shin Iran, or while travelling
under the moon on a camel's back, or
in passing through Teheran's network
Of covered streets lined by dim, fragrant
bazaars, he had in fancy conjured up
this same, long, narrow, sitting Broad
way, and pinned for it as does stag
athirst for the waters Of pool at even-
tide.
Tomorrow" he said. and slowly
drew out his watch, which showed the
hour to be past 5, 'by this time shall
have left it all forever
He shut his watch with a click that
expressed finality, and turned back to
his desk. His eyes were no longer dim,
and the usual calm and strength had re-
turned to his face.
Soon he had collected the most i'm
portant papers, and taking out a long
wallet arranged them carefully in it.
But before closing it he turned to an
other compartment and lovingly drew
out two small photographs
One was the picture of woman. It
was delicate, girlish face that met his
gaze, the eyes dovelike, the small
mouth pathetically dropped at the cor
ners. The bodice was made in fashion
in vogue 10 years ago, and over her
shoulder a soft curl fell confdingly.
Jessie" was written underneath.
No words were needed to show how
he had loved her. Had she lived how
different his life would have been!
at was not to be, my GIRL" he said
aloud, and lifted the other.
1t was Hugh at 20, bright, boyish, a
saucy speculation in the frank, deer
eyes. He was sitting on the edge of O
table, his hands thrust in his trousers
pockets.
you've treated me shabbily, you
/ t1,oV,rv1,< M,-1- 81
ing the picture of the college. lad in his
hand instead Of Hugh as he was then.
give been hoping you'd come to me fo1
three days past. I'll have to look you
| up tonight. Couldn't go away without
another look at Hugh-couldn't do it. d
A voice attracted him as he replaced
the picture, and he turned his head.
Somebody was speaking in the hall
1.-THE rooms of the Western mission
are in this building?"
"Just at the end of the hall, sir, u
the porter replied.
Mark started forward to open thu
door and met Hugh as he entered.
He wore loose, summer clothes Of
light gray that made him look tallel
than he usually seemed. His face wa
pale and little drawn around tn,
mouth, but he smiled as he graspet
Marks hand-and Hugh's smile wa
always like a burst of light from tn,
soul within.
do you know" said Mark as Hugl
sat down with his back to the sum,
window and ran his fingers restlessl,
through the thick hair ON his temples
Il was just this moment apostrophiz
ing your picture, giving You rount
scolding for deserving me. What's kep
you away, my boy?"
"a picture Of miner" asked Hugl
quickly. not hearing the last question.
ITO be sure. The one you had take,
for me ten years ago"
LET me see it,
| he took it eagerly, looked at the sun
ny face in silence, his eyes gfowin,
sultry with strong feeling. and hande'
it back.
81 was happy then"
As he spoke he clinched his hand lii
. man in physical pain.
MARK, come here"
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