Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-04-23

"Why, Roger, I'm mdrrted-Of q truth
am T."
certain reasons, but we were married at
church like honest folk-afore God we
were, Roger-six months after poor
Suckers DEATH
Twas too seon." said Roger.
II was living in house alone. I had
nowhere to go to. You were far over
sea in the New Found Land, and John
took me and brought me here
How often doth he conner" says
Roger again.
"Once or twice weekly" says she.
II wish tn DIST waited till I re-
turned, dear Edy." he said. "It mid be
you are wife-I hope SO. But, if SO,
why this mystery? Why this mean and
cramped lodging in this lonely copse
circled town: OF what standing is your
husband. and Of where?"
He is Of gentle breeding. His name
is John. am not free to tell his family
name. He is said to be Of London, for
safety's sake, but he really lives in the
county next adjoining this"
"Where in the next county,"
lido not know. He has preferred not
to tell me that may not have the secret
forced from me, to his and my hurt, by
bringing the marriage to the ears of his
kinsfolk and friends"
Her brothers face flushed. "Our peo-
pie have been honest townsmen, we'll
reputed for long Why should you read
lily take such humbling from a sojourn-
er of whom tn st know nothing:"
They remained ia constrained con-
verse till her quick ear caught a sound,
for which she might have been waiting
"A horses football. 1T is Johnv' said
she. This is his night-Saturday"
Don't be frightened lest he should
find me here" said Roger. II am ON
the point of leaving. wish not to be a
third party. Say nothing at all about
my visit if it will incommode you SO to
do. will see thee before I go afioat
again."
Speaking thus he left the room. and
descending the staircase let himself ont
by the front door, thinking he might
obtain u glimpse Of the approaching
horseman. But that traveller had in ths
meantime gone stealthily round to the
back Of the homestead, and peerinR
along the pinion end Of the house Roger
discerned him unbridling and haltering
his horse with his own hands in the
shed there.
Roger retired to the neighboring inn
called the Black Lamb, and meditated.
This mysterious method Of approach de-
termined him, after all, not to leave
tho v,lana ill ha hal go.
definite facts Of his sisters position
whether she were the deluded victim Of
the stranger or the wife she obviously
believed herself to be. Having eaten
some supper. he left the inn, it being
now about ] 1 O'Clock. He first looked
into the shed. and finding the horse
still standing there waited irresolutely
near the door Of his sisters lodging.
Half an hour elapsed, and while think
ing he would climb into loft hard by
for n nights rest there seemed to be o
movement within the shutters Of the
sitting room that his sister occupied.
Roger hid himself behind a fagot stack
near the back door, rightly divining
that his sisters visitor would emerge
by the way he had entered. The door
opened. and the candle she held in her
hand lighted for q moment the stran-
gers form, showing it to be that Of a
tall and handsome parsonage. about 40
years Of nge, and apparently of a su-
perior position in life. Edith was assist
ing him to cloak himself, which being
done he took leave Of her with kiss
and left the house. From the door she
watched him bride and saddle his
horse. and having mounted and waved
an adieu to her rs she stood, candle in
hand. he turned out Of the yard and
rode away.
The horse which bore him was, or
seemed to be, little lame. and Roger
fancied from this the riders journey was
not likely to be . long one. Being light