Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-08-15
CHATTER I-CoNTINuED.

He looked down ut her. She was
turning n ring abou: on her finger ali
strnctcdly. He hesitated to reply. He
was afraid that he might say something
20 prcss Q confidence for which abe
would be sorry afterward. She guessed
what was passing in his mind.
She reached out as il 10 touch his
arm again. but did not, and said: II
am placing you in an awkward position.
Pardon me. II seemed to me for mo-
mcnt that that we were old friends
old and candid friends.'
II wish to be an old and candid
friend" he replied firmly. II honor
your frankncss.
II know" she added hastily. "One
Is safc-with some men,"
mot with o woman?"
"No woman is safe in any confidence
10 any other woman. All women are
more or less bad at heart
II do not believe that az you say it. I"
"Of course you do not-as say it.
But you know what mean. Women
arr creatures Of impulse, except those
who live mechanically and have lost
everything They become like priests
then"
Like some priests. Yet, with all re-
spcct. II is not q confessional / would
choose. except the woman was my moth
Cr."
There was silence for moment, and
then she abruptly said: II know you
wish 70 speak If that incident, and you
hesitate. You need not. Yet this is all
Gun tell you. Whoever the man was he
came from Tcllairc. the place where
was born"
She paused. He did not look, but he
felt that she was moved. He was Gu
rious as to human emotions, but not
where this woman was concerned.
There were q few notes in that wood
cutters chant which were added to the
traditional form by one whom knew, +"
she continued.
"You did not recognize the voice?''
II cannot tell. One fancics things,
and 1t was NIL 4: years ago."
1T was all i2 years ago. he repeat
ed musingly after her. He was eager to
know, yet he would not ask.
You are q clever artist" she said
presently. lyon want q subject for "a
picture. You have told me ~. You arc
ambitious. II you were u dramatist,
would give you three acts Of play
the fourth is yet to come; but you shall
have scene to paint if you think it
strong enough"
His eyes flashed. The artists instinct
was alive. In the eyes Of the woman
was n fire which sent glow over all
her features. In herself she was an in
SEPARATION to HIM, but he had not told
her that. "Oh, yes" was his reply, II
want it. IL I may paint you in the
scene"
lyon may paint me in the scene"
she said quietly. Then, as IL it sudden
ly came to her that she would be giving
secret into this mans hands. she add
cd, THAT is. if you want me for mod.
el merely"
"Mrs. Detlor." he said, lyon may
trust me, on my honor"
She looked at him, not eearchinRly,
but with clear. honest gaze such us
ono secs oftenest in the eyes Of children,
yet she had seen the Duplicates Of life
backward and said calmly. Eyes, can
trust you.
"An artists subject ought to be 81.
cred to him." he said. ut becomes
himself. and then IL isn't hard-to be
silent"
They walked for few moments, say.
ing nothing. The terrace was filling
with people. 30 they went upon the We.
randa and sat down. There were no
chairs near them. They were quite at
the end.
please light cigar" she said with
little laugh. 1--WE must not look scri.