Rock Island Argus., 1896-01-27
Co'vNeH1, is9s. eY 0.r PyTNAM's sons.

OWH Ciusc ny puttIuss luttiS lHtO tlO
girls mind which had not yet entered
there.
''Why, Mr. Randolph, you are really
becoming amusing. You are like Don
QuiXote fighting windmills. You imag-
inc a condition, and then give me q
warning. 1t is entirely unnecessary, I
assure you. Mr.. Thauret was not acting
in any such way as you impute to him. ;"
"You are not angry with me, hope.
You know what prompted me to speak,"
'No, fear am not SO clever as you
at reading other peoples motives
''But surely you must have guessed
that
"Guessed what?'' Dora looked at
him SO candidly that he was abashed.
1t was his opportunity to declare him
self, and he might have done so had not
Mr.. Mitchell entered the room at that
moment. Seeing him, Mr.. Randolph
thought of the peculiar position he
would be in if his friend should be
proved to be criminal. For this rea-
son he hesitated, and thus lost chance
which did not recur again for very
long time. He replied in a jesting tone,
and soon after left tho house.
The company had departed Dora
had gone to her own room, leaving Mr..
Mitchell and Emily alone together.
Emily, my Queen" said Mr.. Mitch
el, taking one OF her hands carelessly
within both of his, as they sat upon a
tete-a-tcte sofa, 81 almost believe that
/ am dreaming when I think that YOU
lovo me-
"Why so, Roy?"
'Listen, little woman. I am in an
odd mood tonight, and I wish very
much to talk to you. May l."
For answer she touched him lightly,
lovingly, on the face with her disen-
gagged hand and bowed assent.
"Then listen while I make my con-
fession. am different from other men,
much as count you different from all
women. l have met many, in all the
capitals of Europe, and here in my own
country. have never been affected by
any as was by you. In the first in
stant of meeting you had chosen you
for my wife. When asked for you,
had not the least idea that yen would
refuse until, having spoken, I saw the
bold audacity Of my words, and for half
an instant the idea lived with me that
l was too presumptuous.'
"You were not, my Roy. Like you,
have passed lovers by as unaffected as
by the ocean breezes. When met you,
I said to myself, This is my master. >"
"God bless you, Emily. Let me con-
tinue. have chosen you to be my wife.
As heaven is my witness, shall never
deceive you in aught. But-and this is
the hard test which your love must en-
dure-I may be compelled at times to
keep you in ignorance of some things.
Do you think that your love is great
enough to believe that when do SO it
is from love of you that keep a secret
from you:''
Roy, perhaps this is conceit, but if
so, still l say it. A weaker love than
mine would say to you, 4 trust you, but
love you SO that You need not hesitate
to share your secrets with me-. 1 tell
yoU that trust you implicitly; that I
am content to hear your secrets or not,
as your own jndgment and love for me
shall decide
Il knew that you would speak so.
lad you said less should have been
disappointed. I will tell you then at
once that there is secret in nv life
which l have shared with no one, ana
which am not willing yet to reveal to
you. Are You still content?''
Do you doubt it: Do you think that
wouid make an assertion only to draw
back from my boast as soon as tried?"
No, my Queen, but it is asking
much TO ask woman to marry whilo
there Is secret which cannot be told
especially when there are those who
may believe that there is shame or
worse concealed.''
No one would dare to SO misjudge
your'
indeed, but you are mistaken. There
hre those who do not count me as ire
proachable as l may seem to you. What
IL were to tell you that q detective
watches me day and night?''
"Oho! That would not friobten rne
You have explained all about your wa
ger. suppose Mr.. Barnes is keeping
ah SSS oh SOu. Is tnat II:
Partly that, and partly because he
thinks that I am connected with tbis
murdered woman. To q certain extent
he is right
lyon mean that you knew her?n
yes" Mr.. Mitchell paused to see
whether she would ask another ones
tion after his admission. But she meant
all that she had said when asserting
that she trusted him. She remained 81
lent. Mr.. Mitchell continued: "Natu-
rally Mr.. Barnes is desirous of learning
how much know. There are urgent
reasons why do not wish him to do so.
You have it in your power to aid me-"
II will do sop
"You have not heard what it is that
I wish.''
81 do not care what it is. Twill dc
it if you ask me-
"You are worthy of my love- he
drew her gently toward him and kissed
her lightly ON the lips. 81 say it not in
egotism. for love you as much as man
may. Were you unworthy-I should
never love again."
you may trust ne, Roy" Her
words were simple, but there was q