Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-04-16

L v
morrow! shall feel moro like myself"
Thank you. I will try TO come"
| Bidding her good night, he went down
stairs to his rooms. When he came in, he
saw Frank staring modify at tho red
Goals burning In the CRATE. The sight re-
preached Herbert, and placing his hand in
an c1ectionate way on Franks shoulders
he said:
What is its haven't seen much Of
| you lately"
| That's not my fault"
Frank drew away from his friend touch
as he made the brusquo reply, but Norbert
remained standing Mt his side. After q
short silence Frank spoke:
1--WE may as we'll have it out. heard
some things today about your past life
that astonished me, principally to the ef-
| feet that you are u married man, living
| apart from your wife for reasons unknown,
and are gaining the affections of a talent
cd young woman under false colors. OF
course Isabel Lane is the woman meont."
Herbert's face darkcned.
1t is true that am married SUD-
/ posed you were aware of tho fact. have
never seen the necessity Of proclaiming it
from the housee top or Of prefacing my
conversation with people by that informa-
tion. People who know my wife and me
have never attached the slightest disgrace
| to our living apart. 1t is simply and sole
ly a case of incompatibility. Tho last
charge you made it hardly seems neces-
| sary TO deny
Frank looked squarely into Herbert's
eyes.
Don't you care more for her than is
the right Of even friend:'
Herbert turned away impatiently. SPY
Jove, yon arc going too far. will not
answer that question"
Then Frank blazed ont with: "I love
her. don't care who knows it. I'd 60
through the fires of hell to win her, and
know she doesn't care that for me-" and
he snapped his fingers disdainfulIy. Its
such unspcakable pain-this wasted love.
don't want Platonics. I'm SO wrctched
it's hard not to be cruel"
The sound OF tho doorbell pealed through
the house.
THAT must be Mcfarland. must CO."
And Frank snatchcd his hat and coat. In
n few moments the outer door closed after
him.
To do Herbert Justice i. must be said
that no intimation of the possibility of
such u state Of affairs had ever entered his
mind. Like many people, he forgot that
love could DO born of distance and separa.
ton as truly rs propinqui.y and associa-
ton. lie wondered ut his lack of perspicao-
ity.
But he did love Isabel with the quiet
intensity Of n nature like his. OF late he
had hoped and feared that she returned his
affection. She sorcly needed the serene
protected life Of wifehood, motherhood,
that It was not In his power to give any
woman. He wondered if Frank could
En kpP
could be with this sweet Isabel his wife
tempted him. Must ho always go with
out? No sleep camo to him that niaht
and a combat of soul ragged.
Ia the morning business summoned him
to New York. Frank remained away all
night and came home to dinner to find
Herbert gone. IN THO quiet of bis room
the misery that absorbing duties had sue
cecded in sitting returned with increased
strength. a wild desire to SEQ Isabel, to
10 near her, seized him, and he went I'D
to her room, wbere tho door stood hospitn-
bly, open.
She was seated before her desk writing.
A large glass bowl filed with daffodils
and tulips made n blaze of color beside her
dainty brown head bent over the paper.
She felt his presence and turned her
head.
Come in." she said, smiling as he
stammercd an excuse. lyon look tired to
death. Take the big chair and mako
yourself comfortable" She pointed with
her pen to chair by the table. Excuse
MOTOR moment while finish this
He settled down among the cushions.
still watching her.
She folded and addressed tho letter with
a sigh of relief. He closed his eyes wea.
rily, and when ho opened them shc was
sitting In q rocking chair, sewing.
Il didn't suppose you ever sowed, like
other women" he observed, thinking that
to bc with her in this homelike compan-
ionship was tho swcetesofeeling he had
ever known.
why not? OF course I can sew. This is
something for a fair Mrs. Martin is inter
es'ed in" She stopped in surprise. Frank
had got up and closed the door opening
into tho hall. She started to her feet. The
scissors fell to the floor as he said passion-
ately:
Isabel, I mus. tell you. You are the
only woman l care for, or ever shall care
for. Will you be my wife."
Her fingers were locked together. He
could see he-trcmble.
You surprise me very much. 1 never
dreamed of such q thing" she managed to
say.
He gently took, her hands in his. II
haven't given you time, but dun't-don't
tell me you cannot care for me-
She turned her face away from him.
DO you love Hcrbertl' no asked in
low tone. The color rushed to her face.
she did not answer.
Il see, " Frank said, dropping her hands.
'You must not let yourself think he cares
FOR you, though, for he is married, and no
Will not divorce his wife. Can you bear
tho strain of love that could never find
Its legitimate satisfaction in marriage?
Deg you to consider before you cast away a
reality for a shadow
The flush faded. leaving her very pale
Isabel could never account for the sudden
transition Of feeling, as il the earth had
given way under her feet and n strong
hand WIS extended to savo her. She could
not speak, but raised her eyes to his with
look In them that told all. Silently
Frank drew her close into Lis embrace.
AT last shc whispered: You must go.
1t is very late
He took her face between his hands and
kissed it. Then he asked, Isabel, are you