Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-09-22

| Ellis was soldiers daughter and no
| coward. she was conscious CT an i'm
pulse TO throw oT,en the window and
challenge the skulker. but even then her
mothers slow step was heard ascending
the stairs and He.en's sweet voice, as
the latter came on 10 assist her.
| Indeed you need ro., Helen" Ellis
heard her say Il have grown better
and stronger with every hour. every
hour Even the sadness has been sweet
Even the cid scenes have brought new
comforts. Even the new sorrow has
brought relief and peace.
| You have not yet told me of that.
nor have you told Ellis -
She shall know. and so shall you,
dear friend, tomorrow Tonight want
to kneel; | want to be alone Then
Ellis heard her hand seeking the knob of
the door. Hastily she turned to meet
heI mother at the threshold.
| "IOu are better. Queen Mother, God
be thanked. You have looked better
every day. vii! you-not come in, Mrs
| Daunton:"
| Thank you. no; not just now. l
will go and put out the lights and leave
you two together for awhile. know
Mrs. Farrar is pining for peep at her
soldier boys window. Already Mrs
Far:ar was moving thither, and Ellis
darted eagerly forward.
'One moment, mother. dear" she
cried. Let me draw the curtain-it-
it doesn't work wcll.''
And with the words she boldly threw
aside the heavy curtain and nuisily. os-
tenta;iousiy raised the sash. just as she
believed would be the case. the skull,er.
alarmed, sprang back behind the corner
OF the adjoining house and deep within
its shadow. Wills light was still burn.
ing brightly, and in her clear. silvery
voice his sister called his name. "Ec'll
answer in minute, mother Dun't
come to the window yet she added.
Then again. willy, Willy"
And, rs though answering her call as
though watchful, ready, eager to serve.
even though unsummOued, another form
came suddenly into sight On the moon
light walk i'll frCnt, and a voice she well
Knew hailed from over the low picket
fence: will has just gone up our way.
Miss Farrar l brought him message
a moment ago. Can l be of any serv.
lce:' And there. of course, was Jack
Ormsby
Thank you, no." was the answer in
cold constraint. Il lad 20 idea he had
gone and that you We're there Mother
merely wished TO speak with him Il mo-
ment, and with that she meant to dis
Kiss him, but her mother, panied by
her tone of constraint ard GOODNESS to-
ward one whom she herself so greatly
liked, came to the window herself
ELLIS, you are not even courteous to
that honest gentleman she said in
gentle reproach. Mr.. Ormsby," she
added i'll cordial tones, "are you going
anywhere? Are you busy
Entirely at Your service, Mrs. Far
rar. found myself de trop at the house
after the colonel took his nightcaD and
his leave, SO l came out tor stroll.
The major ard Aunt Loa are trying to
remember where they left Off last night,
and nifty, fancy, is bullying the lieu
tenant.
'Then would you mind coming in
one minute: have little packet that
/ want Willy to find on his dressing ia.
bic when he comes in. 8"
Mother pleaded Ellis almost
breathlessly, 'I-I''-
Hush, dear. Mr.. Ormsby will be
glad, know"
And Mr.. Ormsby was only too glad.
Promptly he came TO the door. Prompt.
ly he was admitted by Mrs. Daunton,
who stood with palpitating heart at the
foot of the stairs.
THANK you so much, was MIS-. Far
rar's hail from the landing above. 1T
is Ill my room and will be ready in ono
minute If you will kindly step into tho
parlor.'
And then Mrs. Farrar passed On
into her room, and with 10 audible
word Mrs. Daunton and Jack passed
into ~ rarlor. Ellis stood q no.
ment, confused, confounded, irresoluta.
turned back into her own room, and
only by miracle recovered herself in
time't to prevent tie load slam Of the
door. Then, with heavily beating heart,
she stood there III the middle Of the
floor listening fer yet not listening to
the sound of voices from below, the
cold night air blowing il from the open
easement unEoticed, evea the irysteri.
Gus prowler ct the baci, of the house
for the moment utterly forgotten.
And meantime, turning quickly upon
Ormsby, the moment she had led him
within the parlor below, Helen Daun
ton, i'll low, trembling. yet determined
accents, spoke hurriedly: Il had not
hoped for this At best l thought to see
you no sooner than tomorrow night.
You have read my note:"
Ormsby bowed coldly. YES, but 70
words can tell you my surprise at seeing
you here in this household and as the
trusted companion of whom 1 have
heard SO much. Do they know you
| are
'They know nothing. They have
made me welcome ard made life sweet
10 me again after it was wrecked and
ruined by their own flesh and blood. |
meant-GCd forgive me-when first l
came to them, lonely, destitute, that
some time they should know. but from
the first grew 10 love her; from the