Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-05

well IN this bargain, so i answered that
the dress was worth great deal more
than $40, ~ indeed il was, could ore
ever find the place in which IL was
worth anything
"Ycs. l know" assented Mrs. Ma
son. but you'vc done :. pocd deal fer
rs. You DO al the time, and it's mine.
and 1 shgn't ever really use it--whilc
I'm alive.
She stopped and again looked lorC
time ont Of the window before she add.
ed ooEciusively, II think You ought 70
have it,
found it rore than impossible 10
speak 10 = living woman about her fast
nearing need OF clothes foc the grave. !
could give no hint that knew the wish
she was sacrificing TO honor.
Yet, hard as il was for Inc to under
stand any intensity in such a feeling,
her strange, strained nannor. her dcpp,
fixed abstraction and her wide, sad,
unseeing eyes told me that this crushed
desire ceyorrcd Lcr. Ia her little mind
lived vividly the ancient, the primeval
feeling that associates forever, even aft
cr death, body and soul-spirit-what-
ever we call al that gives identity.
In orr mcucrn world the vital ms
sion sfringing. say, in Greek literature,
from the deep belief in this or that cir
cumstancc Of sepulcher il only imper-
fectly cornp.elended and with an effort.
but here, icrscotL. was all the feeling
that once lowered in such beliefs and
passion in yet simpler, a more prinl-
tive, form, existing quite without ioli-
gious association and in a poor batter
eli little piece Of womankird. only be-
getting IN unEttcrable longing 20 wear
forever a gown that was rich ard rare.
And here WAS this ocsirc-;he con-
Stunning desire Of the dyiBg-;ramplcd by
the relentless conscience that had hunt.
ed her through life
Truly the inevitable human conflict
Is found on queer battlofelds
devoted inyscif TO routing the con-
science. l thought IL had l. ID i.s dav.
and j wanted Mrs. Mason 10 die COM
fortably, Is such vcriisblc simple pa
gan should. soothed with the knowledge
that all that yellow embroidery Vas to
enwrap her through all time. But the
conscience had acquired the strength IL
had overcome. Il Was a stubborn. uu.
reasoning organ, and under iis iron rule
its pale victim grew daily more and
more melancholy.
In her dark ned consciousness the
near and nearer approach Of dread death
itself was outweighed by the burden Of
this new sacrifice.
The queer. beautiful little friendship
that was frightening her last DAYS was
perhaps tho poor BIS; wine In her sorry
feast Of life. and now even it gave its
own special cruel sting to her loss-ihc
loss Of the embroidered gown.
Il hope yoG'll think something more
Of it because Cassias did ID. - She said
TO me. 'Ishould. Cassius don't always
go just right. ] never was satisfied
about his telling you he wanted 10 buy
a trunk-you Know I wasn't-bat any.
how there are not many young men ~
good rs he h. He never had any lad
habits. and-and'-sl.c bcsaa 90 cry
weakly-"he's been 90 good 60 me. aud
we've had such pleasant times. talking
about plays and things while Ire em.
broidered. j never had such pleasant
times. and I've taken such an interest
in every stitch"
The situation was certainly becoming
intoierabie, yet II was easier O. discover
this than TO find way 90 mend H.
Here was j cast for very SiIylock and
all my victims moral nature involved
IN the determination a. make me play
the part Thank God. have occasional
lucid intervals in which glimpse the
unfathoinabio and invaluable depths q
Inconsistency ard urrcasonablopess in
the human heart. Ihave n profound be-
lief in the superior wisdom horn Of
these qualities. and though my expert
ence Of them in Mrs. M.lson may seem
TO contribute but slighily TO sustain
this faith l never elscsg u ~ found then
more 10 my mind. ! could Iof is-csk
down her discrimination 10 pay Cassius'
debt by any diIoct attack. I changed
my tactic fer the better .!ar q a trans
parent siroke, Ole warranted 10 deceive
only with ibe cus.s,ilt Q. tho d,c.iscd
! eoafe.rd with Ca.sius rr.sai.iv
ana tod him I would slIe Tie GOWN.