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

grasping his chair. The woman whom
she had always feared and whom she
now hated crouched on the window seat.
"Why have you Gomez" Hugh asked
in a voice that sounded unnatural
do not be angry"
1t was passionate, signing whisper,
and Mariar's hands were crossed hard
upon Eer heart.
1T seemed that my heart must burst
il another night passed-without your
knowing"
Hugh looked apprehensively toward
the door, hesitated. and then leaned to-
ward her, speaking in the caressing tone
that was so irresistible from his lips.
"Speak very softly. You are in some
trouble. Tell me quickly. If can help
YOU Oh. the desire to take her in
his arms! 1t turned his blood to flame.
he battled with himself and faced
her, rigid, self contained and deadly
pale under an armor of silence.
The lovely, stricken face was lifted
nearer, the woman's hands reached out
and clasped his. Help me: Yes-yes,
you Canyon have. Your words to-
night have saved me- l know now I
have q soul. Tonight it spoke to me.
Oh. that voice, so long silencedr'
A sob sad as a dirge drifted from her
lips. though her eyes were wide and
dry.
''Those lost women / sat among to-
night, she said in a clear, slow whis-
per. forcing herself to say what hurt
her cruelty, Il have sinned like them"
Jenny crept nearer. Hugh had not
stirred.
did you hear me?"
YES
"You don't believe me. Your face
tells me SO.
Something hard and reckless rang in
the words as she started up, lonely,
black robed figure, the mysticism Of the
night Unfolding her.
II tell you it is true. The rags are
missing and the visible degradation,
but until tonight was like that wom-
an-that woman who sat near me, who
bad sinned without remorse and won
dered why. Oh, listen, and know me
for what 1 am. was married when a
very young girl. Five years ago nv
husband died. He was a scoundrel. How
l loathcd him! The three years spent
with him were one long degradation. ="
She wIung her hands and threw them
out from her. as if casting away some
lOathsOme thing.
"Since that time my life has been
reckless one. ] had m independent for
tune. / gave the reins to extravaganza
OF every sort, though always living
within the pale Of responsibility. All,
that is the last thing women like me
are disposed to renounce. But cannot
tell you ALL"
The choked words came thicker, fast
er now.
perhaps you can guess how callous
l became. BY love that proved after
ward but a mothlike sensuality I was
swayed for years. 1t faded at last, lcav-
ing weary disgust. and I knew very
well that the man who had inspired it
corrupt and soulless, though danger
Ously brilliant-had never touched, even
remotely, the better side of my nature.
oh, how 1 grew to hate him-my mode
OF hvine-my urroundings-myself! It
was no: repentance. Why, even the now.
er to think. the capability of valuing
what had lost seemed taken from me.
1t was only safety, distaste, restless
ness. l secretly sought solitude here
merely out of caprice, because l was
bored. l met you. The rest you know"
Jenny could hardly keep back the tor
rent of rage and abuse beating against
her lips. Surely Hugh wenld push the
woman from him after this terrible con-
fession.
But he did nothing of the sort. Dis
jointed sentences of sympathy and en-
couragsment reached her as he looked
into Marian's eyes and clasped the hands
she had held out to him. In what he
said there was pity. loyalty. an incen-
tive to hope, but not a touch Of con-
domination.
go now," he said at last. lit is
very late"
Her sweet mouth quivered, a light
broke over her face.
"Ah. You are SO rood." she whis-
pered and stole away as quietly as she
had come.
For moment Hugh stood listening.
No. there was not n sound. He threw
himself down beside u couch and buried
his face in his hands. He had not be-