Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-08-19


mire your ability l can do that. at
/ least, though we are enemies, / suppose -
| His words were utterly without Of
tense A melancholy smile played on his
lips. Again Hagar bowed. but did not
speak
Telford went on I'VE are enemies,
and yet have done you no harm. You
have injured me, have insulted me, and
vet do not resent it, which is strange,
as my friends in wilder country would
tell you
Hagar was impressed. affected. How
have 1 injured you? By painting these:'
! THE injury is this: / loved woman
and wronged her. but not beyond repa-
ration. Years passed. l saw her and
loved Ter still. She might still have
loved me, but another man came in. 1t
was you That was one injury. Them
He took up a candle and held it to
the sketch Of the discovery. This is
perfect in its art and chivalry. 1t glori-
ties the girl. That is right He held
the candle above the second sketch.
This he said. lis admirable as art
and fiction. But it is fiction. I have no
hope that you will change it 1 think
you would make mistake to do so.
You could not have the situation, if the
truth were painted. Your audience will
not have the villain as the injured man"
| Were You the injured man?''
| Ielford put the candle in Hagar's
hand. Then he quickly took off his
coat, waistcOat and collar and threw
back his shirt from his neck behind.
| 1.-The butler wound received on that
occasion was in the back he said.
The Other man tried to play the assas-
SIN. Here IS the scar. He posed as the
avengcr. the hero, and the gentleman. I
was called the coward and the yaga-
bond! He married the girl.''
! lie started TO put OH his waistcoat
again. Hagar caught his arm and held
1t. The clasp was emotional and friend
ly. "Will you stand SO for moment?"
he sad. just SO, that l may
That yea may paint in the truth?
No. You are talking as the man. AS an
artist you were wise to stick to your
first conception. 1t had the heat of in
SEPARATION. But think you can paint me
better than you have done in these
sketches. Come, Will give you sit
ting Get your brushes. No, no, I'll sit
for nothing else than for these scenes
as you have painted them. Don't miss
| your chance fer fame.
| Without a word Hagar went to work
and skctched into the second sketch Tel
ford's face us it now was in the candle
| hsht-worn, strong, and with these
watchful eyes sunk deep under the pow
erful brows. The artist i'll him became
greater than the man. He painted in a
| cruel, sinister expression also. At last
he paused. His hand trombled II can
paint 10 more" he said.
! Telford looked ct the sketch with a
cold smile. Yes, that's right, he said.
you've painted i'll :; good bit of the
devil too. You owe me something for
this. l have helped you to a picture
and have given you 4 sitting. There is
10 reason why you should paint the
truth to the world. But ask you this:
When you know that her husband is
dead and she becomes your wife, tell
her the truth about that, will you? How
the scoundrel tried to kill me-from be-
hind. I'd like TO be cleared Of coward
ice some time. You can afford to do it.
She loves you. You will have every
thing. Notwithstanding at all -
There was note so thrilling, gold
en- timbre to the voice. an indescribable
melancholy SO affecting that Hagar
grasped the others hand and said, 80
help me God, willv'
"All right.
| He prepared ogo. At the door Hagar
said to him. Shall 1 see you again?''
Probably i'll the morning Good
night -
Telford went back to the hotel and
| found the horse he had ordered at the
door. He got up at once People looked
at him curiously, it was peculiar to see
man riding at night for pleasure,
| and. CT course, 1t could be for no other
purpose. When will you be back, STRIP
| said the groom.
Il do not know lie slipped a coin
| into the groom's hand. ''Sit up for me.
| The beast is good cne:''
THE best we have. Been a hunter,
SIR
Telford nodded, stroked the horses
neck and started. He rode down toward
the gate. He saw Mildred Margrave
coming toward him.
ooh, Mr.. Telford!" she said. "You
forsook us today. which was unkind.
Mamma says-she has seen you, she
tells mc-that you are a friend of my
| stepfather, Mr.. Gladney. That's nice.
fer l like you ever so much, you know"
She raised her warm, intelligent eyes to
his. I've felt since you came yester.
day that I'd seen you before, but NAM
ma says that's impossible You don't
remember me:''
Il didn't remember YOU" he said.
Il wish l were going for a ride. too,
in TIE moonlight. / mean mamma and
and you You ride as well as you
| drive, of course -
II wish you were going with me-"
he replied. He suddenly reached down
his hand. Good night" Her hand
was swallowed in his firm clasp for a
moment. God bless you, dear" he
added. then raised his hat quickly and
was gone.