Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-10


was the husband Of the beautiful and
gracious lady who had passed a summer
near her old home in the country. aud
whom she had tried to see when first
she came to New York. She CHANGED to
mention this fact in the ONCE. and soon
was summoned 20 the city editors desk.
81 hear you Enow Mrs. verrlanck:
Yes? Well. the lady Is Frustrated with
the shock OF her husbands death and
will not see q reporter. She may posi-
bly, zee you. At all events. try"
During her brief journalistic career
Perseverance never saw so sad n scene
rs that in the superb home in Gram
ercy park. Mrs. verpiapcx remem-
bered the girl and consented TO see her
Il was the most elegant house Perse-
verance had ever seen. But over its luz
urious rooms and through its corridors
hung the awful hush Of death and tho
atmosphere Of mystery. As Perseverance,
was mounting the stairs to Mrs. Yer
planck's chamber. ON the landing she
came face TO face with q keen faced,
alertly moving man. She gave little
cry Of delight and held out her hand.
The man stared ut her as IL puzzled.
Then Suddenly q smile crossed his
shrewd face.
Il remember you." said tho police
detective. How are you and what are
you doing here?"
She explained her presence, and the
detective looked at her with interest.
II did you q good turn once. he
whispered. Now help me I haven't
been able TO see the lady. she is so ill.
But find ont all you can about the last
governess. when she was discharged and
why. Will you?''
Perseverance promised, though she
could not understand his anxiety. But
she was only too glad TO do a favor for
the man who had saved her from tho
meshes Of n wicked woman.
Mrs. Verplanck was lying against q
heap CT pillows not winter than her face.
She wept rs she took the girls hand in
hers.
Perseverance recalled the brilliant.
dashing woman she had seen two years
ago, ard tears rushed 10 her eyes rs she
saw this trembling. meaning creature.
Humidity and in whispers Mrs. Yer
plarcl- told the awful story Of finding
her husband in the dim, gray dawn,
with the blood dripping from the fright
full wound over his heart.
The window was open," said the
poor wife, 1.-THE icy air streaming In.
He lay there aloDe-alone. Think Of it'll
On, my dear Georger' and she screamed
again and again in such anguish that it
was with difficulty Perseverance and
the maid could quiet her.
But when the unhappy lady had
grown calmer Perseverance piled her
with questions. The terrible interview
came to an end ut last. ard ms the girl
babe her gooiby Hrs. vcrplapck clutch
ed her hand desperately and said /:
Come again, dea.-cvery day. il you
can. The sight of your face Is like 6.
breath from those sweet meadows. oh,
the cool. green. quiet country, II
could only never sec New York again.
This dreadful town will always be hate
full to me-"
Perseverance promised TO como next
day and sadly left the rcnra. In the
hall she met he. friend the detective.
She told him what the little Mrs. Yer.
pianck had said about the governcss
His eyes sparkletl: his face flushed.
Thank you. my clsildr' he exclaim.
ed exci;eily. lyon have confirmod''-
He broke CT and rushed 10 q cab be-
fore the door. into which he plunged
and wac rapidly driven away.
The next morning Perseverance read
in open mouthed as'onishment tina. po.
Nee detectives had arrested = former gov
erness in the vcrplanck family on fus.
picion of'hsvins committed the murder,
and that valuable cicw had been given
them by woman reporter from Tho
Cyclone Perseverance was famous.
The most noted trial Of the season
was that OF the advontu-css-goscrnes
who was convicted Of the murder q Mr..
vcrplanck.
Mrs. Verplanck took n decided inter
est in the girl who had unwitiingly
helped To run down the assassin ~ her
husband. and after the trial sen, for her
one day and said:
New York. / must leave tho scene Of
my sorrow. I will distract myself by
travel I cannot leave my little boys
behind me. have sent for you TO al.
you IL you will not consent 60 abandon
newspaper work ard go with me as my
companion and rs govcrness 90 my sons.
We shall be away two years. In that
time we shall visit Europe. Egypt and
Palestine. Think well of my PROPOSE.
ton. beg. for my heart Is set ON your
going with me-
Perseverance was dazed. In fact, q.
late the girl had seemed to DO living IN
land of shadows. Events had followed
each other 30 rapidly that a. times she
felt she was looking ON at o pageant
moving swiftly before her. TO 60 abroad
To visit the lands a sun and snow II
which she had read aud dreamed. II
could not be possible.
But there sat Mrs. verplanck. kind.
ly smile on her sad little face. anxiou-iy
waiting her reply. The girl rose and
flung her arms about the lady's neck
and burst into tears.
There, there. child" pat.ing her
gently, that means you will co 1 am