Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-09-23

| blade
| with his sleigh, believing that short
drive i'll the exhilarating air would be
Of benefit, Leale, too, left them, and
Mrs. Farrar and Helen Daunton were
practically alone Mess call sounding
cheerily had called the men to their
MONDAY meal.
The eyes of the elder woman had fol-
lowed the tall, soldiorly form of Leale
as he left the room, and then, tenderly,
questioningiy, almost entreatingly turn
ed upon Helen
81 love him almost as l do my own
son. Helen. My husband died in his
arms. Surely you must realize that his
great heart has belonged TO you ever
since lie first set eyes on your bonny
face.
Mrs Daurton almost started to her
feet.
"Oh, not that! Surely not thatl He
is my good, true friend" sho cried.
Not the less your friend because all
your lover, Holcn.''
"Oh. never my lover! Ihave no right
Il am not free"'
Listen to me, Helen" pleaded her
friend. ''Shall one mistake blight
lifetime? 1 know your short marriage
| experience was 4 cruel one''
| 1T was-heaven knows it was" as
sented Helen, shuddering.
"Then do not make youths mistake,
dear" continued Mrs. Farrar, land
think the story ended because one chap
ter Is closed. l thought my story ended
when they brought me home my dead
soldier. I've prayed many time my
story might end il the years my first
born was an outcast. Helen, l have
hardly spoken to you of my eldest boy,
but can tell you now that, standing
here tonight, l realize how out of sor-
row peace has come to me. Death,
which took away my husband, gave me
back MY son.
Death cried Helen. "Royle Far
rar is not-dead:"
Helen, how strangely you speak.
He has been dead year, though only
recently did they give me all the cruel
facts. Major Wayne learned them from
the consul i'll Mexico"
In uncomfortable agitation Helen
Daunton had turned away "Royle Far
Tar dead!' she gasped Then I-oh,
God be thankedr'
The tears were binding Mrs. Farrar,
and for a moment she saw nothing of
| Helen's agitation. The bells of Leale's
sleigh came trilling merrily up the road
without. Hastily she dashed away the
pearly drops and. smiling fondly, drew
her shrinking friend to her embrace.
Helen. dear, there is a new look in
| your face" she WHISPERED.
1t Is because l rejoice in my soul
that your heart is at rest. 1t is because
1t Is Observation-Disclosures the time of
burdens dropped. Of old sorrows healed,
OF new births and sweet beginnings
| Dear, the Christmas chimes are pealing
lii my heart 1t is the first real Christ.
mas have known il wears. And 50.
ner arms twlnlng about her friend.
she led her forth into the radiant day,
with all its sunshine beaming in her
face. One minute only had thew gone
when. crouchiDg from the dressing
| room at enc side, his face bloa,cd and
distorted. the soldier Graice sped swift
~ across the floor and stopped to peek
through the eastern window. Suddenly
back he sprung and stood swaying at
the door OF the anteroom as Helen Daun-
ton hurriedly returned. Coming from
the dazzling glare of the sun without
into the dimly lighted room. she almost
collided with the hulking figure before
| seeing ii at all.
Mrs. Farrar has left her cloak" she
fal,ered- will you kindly move from
the way?''
"You thought ! had moved from yorr
way. was the thick. husky answer,
"but you re mistaken. my dear