Rock Island Argus., 1896-03-02

sWtSU OWN SOstev0VW
dued wailing Of her violln often coming
to him late at night when he sat in his
study at work ON the book that was the
latest child of his brain.
This was enough. Her magnetism
touched him only like a breath, yet gave
color to his life.
But fate, in the person of Mrs. Vent
nor suffering from persistent insomnia,
sent him message one day, and leav-
ing Jenny on the tiptoe Of expectation
he found himself once more in the 9TH
er house.
1t hardly seemed possible that it was
counterpart Of his own as far as archi.
lecture was concerned, so cunningly had
all that was ugly been hidden and ev-
cry corner and window seat Transformed
He remembered with more than usu-
al distaste the pictures of fat Cupids
and one sided gOddesses that some for
mer resident of his house had left far
ing in loose splashes Of color ON its
walls and panels, as if to show how
badly man could paint and yet rejoice
in it. He remembered the too bright
rugs, the CANDY bric-a-brac with which
Jenny had crowded their small draw
ing room, and every one Of them "bar-
gains"
Here was no discord. All was dainty,
delicate, harmonious. His artistic per-
ception was delighted.
At the head Of the stairs, where the
sunlight made a subdued golden haze,
Marian was standing. She held out her
hand with frank sluile, a critical in
Election in her gaze.
"I'm very glaii you've come," she
said simply.
Was he welcome as the physician on
ly or as the man? He could not help
wondering.
''And I am delighted to be of serv-
ice," letting his eyes rest earnestly up
ON her.
She was more lovely even than he
had thought. Still, what did she lack:
Was it not the something which he had
expected would radiate her face when
she spoke and smiled and go complete
its charm? There was a bright surface
lightness about her that vaguely per-
picked him. 1t was curious face, that
seemed at first to confide all the secrets
of the soul beyond, but elusive and tan
talizing the longer one looked. The deep
eyes moving beneath the dark, thready
lashes with a crystalline glory spoke in
one way, the red lips curled by a mer-
ry smile in another. She was young,
TOO, to have such perfect aplomb, 90 lit
tie enthusiasm. Every one of her twenty
odd years had been lived twice over, to
judge by these externals. But had they
been sad or glad or bad years? Hugh
could not tell
He did not arrive at these conclusions
at once, but during the hour he passed
near her, when he carefully noted every
movement, every glance and word that
was characteristic.
Mrs. NentnOr proved an entertaining
patient. Nothing troubled her, she said,
but wakeful nights, and this was not
surprising when Hugh learned with
what delicacies she gorged herself at
midnight.
She thanked heaven that she was not
blase. 1t was not ennui that kept her
staring at the ceiling when the rest of
the world slept.
"One of De Maupassant's or Belot'e,
a bouquet of lilies, an easy chair, a Gig
arctic, and-there am. Perfectly con-
tent" she exclaimed, with an expan-
sive, assuring wave of her white hands,
laden down with splendid rings.
"You are to be envied perhaps" And
Mrs. Ventnor, for all her sloth and good
nature. was not slow to catch the slight
chill in his tone as be turned his eyes
from her and looked at Marian.
All, his attention now was q differ
ent thing altogether!
"And you?' he asked, with his en-
dearing smile. "Are You so easily sat
isfied?"
Her very attitude and expression were
languid denial She had nestled
among the multitudinous pillows of a
gold colored divan. her negligent pose
leaving exposed q quantity Of tiny lace
ruffies and q shapely foot in the most
frivolous Of russet slippers.
"On the contrary. with slow move
ment Of her eyss, II am the most rest
less. the most discontented, creature in
the world. Nothing pleases me long. I"
Her glance sought his with troubled
question that reminded him of q child
struggling with q problem.
II wonder why I don't like things,
Dr.. Larrepore? I am not tired of my
self. am not unhappy; but, oh, the
world seems to offer SO little! ~
(Which means that you are begin
ming to weary Of your pretty hermitage,
your latest fad, SO soon. All, didn't
say you would? Didn't I:'' said Mrs.
Ventnor, with q triumphant chuckle.
Marian gave an impatient sigh and
leaned forward, her hands clasping her
knees
"Yes. confess il. I am not exsctlv
tired Of this place yet, but feel that I
will he soon. Where I expected peace
and perfect freedom have only bore
dom. The one thing that never fails me
is my fiddle, but one cannot fiddle it
all day"
A sturdy impatience swept through
Laxremore ~ he listened. He fancied
himself, with her wealth and independ-
ence, able to follow the now unsatis6ed
ambition that, owing to the limitations