Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-03-06

ny ne o9ox pooeTS<oOo all and moro
ttsn she tad said. The lock tbst tor
mented hin IVES explained. No wonder
be had fels it to the co-e Of his heart.
It had ri-rc-sd the resurrection Ct =
conscjence.
Shs had said that he had helped her.
he had saved her.
And all the while loved her." he
thought miserabiy.
But that was done with forever. The
tears that started from his eyes washed
his heart clean.
Tears! And he had not wept since
boyhood till that night! Those beseech-
ing eyes. that hating, shamed voice.
the burning hands clinging to his, her
gratitude, her humility-could he ever
forget them? She had needed him, come
to him in the ssnctity of remorseful an
guish and 30 had disarmed the devil
who for a moment had stood whisper
ing at his side.
In twinkling the room was illu-
mined. and starting up, his face marred
by tears and passion, he faced his wife.
She was standing under the gas jet in
the corner, her trembling fingers still
holding the little knob. An impish fury
made her small body qniver. Her face
was blush white. the hairpins around
which she had twisted the fringe of
hair above her forehead stood upright
and trembled with demoniac signifi-
canoe.
Hugh spoke first. For Marian's sake
he hoped the actual words of that inter
view had not been overheard, but he
feared the worst.
lyon have grown tired waiting"
and he pushed the disordered hair back
from his brow, forcing smile. eyes,
OF coarse. had not meant to stay so
long
She gave harsh, insulting laugh.
Don't trouble yourself to lie about
It. You We're well entertained You
see know all. / heard every wcrd she
said
- There Were aspects OF Hugh 5 charac-
ter, expressions of which his strong face
was capable, that his foolish little wife
could not understand and which some
times frightened her. She was fright
ened now. His face grew rigid and pale
to weakness, his eyes opaque and heavy,
the pulse in his forehead best with slug
gish intensity
She faced him defiantly for a mo-
ment, then her hands went up to her
eyes and she commenced to Cry. He
knew that her jealous, narrow soul was
toused to attack. Reason and persuasion
would alike he wasted upon her. But
Marian 1p FOL
came.
lyon heard all. you say" And he
controlled his voice to quietness.
eyes, ! did came in spiteful
burst through Jenny's quaking fingers.
Then you E,ust pity her rs much as
I do
PITY hel?''
She faced him now, woman beside
helsclf with jealousy:
I'D like to soc her driven from this
place. beaten, jeercd at I'd like to see
her.
lyon must pity her, say, if YOU
lave "a spark Of true wonlanhood in
YOU.
How dare you speak to me of her
of that creature! tell you the whole
street will hear what she is tomorrow
yes, the whole town."
Conquering her awe of him, she
stamped upon the ground in spasm of
fury that twisted her face into hideous-
ness.
Creeping here ut dead Of night-oh,
I'm not fool! Pretending to be sorry.
Bah! She's 4 common woman, and
nothing else. Take your hands off me
You shan't touch me-
Like peevish child she plucked at
Hugh's strong hands pressed firmly up
on her shoulders.
II shall touch you, and you shall lis
ten to me. If you have any grievance. it
Is against me. The woman You revile is
innocent CT the slightest wish to wrong
you. Say what you please to me. Do
what you please. But the difference
shall be settled between MS only. You
listened to miserable story of sin and
remorse tonight. You know all Won
were not intended to hear, and Won
shall respect that confession
You'll see if will.''
You must! If by u hint or a word
you betray what you know, we shall be
rs strangers for the rest of our lives.
even though We continue to live togeth-
er"
well, I don't care" And she folded
her arms. rocking doggedly to and fro.
when my husband wants me to asso-
elate with, even to recognize, woman
like that. it's time we separated.
Hugh's lips twitchcd painfully. He
lifted his hands in gesture Of despair.
oh. Jenny, is this your charity?''
She tossed her head and made no an
swer.
lyon think yourself a good woman.
What does it mean! You GO to church
and call yourself a sinner. You ask TO
be forgiven as You forgive. And ven
would scourge the woman who is strup
Cling to rise to the heaven of purity she
has fallen FROM
"That's,all very well. don t believe
word she said that way. She's Just
a.
Be SILENT" he commanded sternly.
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