Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-05-07

Because shall have many chances
OF seeing your pretty face"
She shook her head with q gesture Of
aisapproval, but did not speak in re-
ironse to his hattery.
| why won't you meet me now:"
Because don't-like. There! Now,
good night, Mr.. Marston.
GOOD night, Miss Holland.
=
For many days following their chance
meeting at the Blue Bell, Peg Holland
thought frequently of the new manager.
When he had asked her to meet him,
| she had set the incident down rs q mere
desire on his part to indulge in little
Irritation at her expense. That be ad-
| mired her very much his manner and
effectiveness had shown, but that he
really cared for her ON such short ac-
| quaintance she was too sober minded q
girl to believe.
Surprising he did care for her, loved
her. That thought bred many others.
Hitherto she had possessed only the am
billions and desires common to her class.
When Jack Kendall had "made up to
her, in the parlance Of the village, she
had accepted his love without any Sc
we're cross questioning Of her own heart
and had looked to marriage and sim g.
pie homo such as was the ordinary lot
Of pit brow girls.
But the adIniring glances of Harry
Marston had suddenly developed part
| Of the lassie's nature which had previ-
ously lain dormant. Now that sho came
to think of it she was by no means pas
sionately fcnd of Jack Kendall, and her
suture as his wife would be arduous and
| commonplace enough.
But as Mr.. Marston's wife a life Of
ease and comparative luxury would be
hers.
She fell asleep on that memorable
Saturday night bordering these things,
| and next day she thought often of her
old lover and new admirer, wondering
which of the men she would take had
she the choice of either.
Sunday afternoon found Peg seated
beside the cottage door waiting for tho
appearance of her lover. 1t was their
custom to go out for walk through the
fields when the weather permitted, and
today the sun was shining gloriously.
She was dressed in neat fitting dress
of brown, which set off her slim figure
to perfection and matched her olive
velvety skin. She half regretted her
| engagement to the miner and was sorry
that she had not promised to meet the
new manager. She had missed all op.
portunity every lass in the hamlet would
have jumped at, and such chance
might never be given her again.
Immersed in her reflections, the girl
scarcely noticed the flight of time. When
the old clock in the corner struck 4, she
jumped to her feet. put on her hat and
went out. She was not going to wait
for Jack Kendall any longer. If he would
not take her out, she would go out her
self. If she hadn't been fool, she could
have been walking out with hand
somer and superior man in every way.
Peg feet took her past the Blue Bell,
across the village green and through
the stile which led to Bellingham's
farm. Near the whitewashed farmhouse
she met one of the farmers children,
from whom she learned that the new
manager of the California pits was real
ly living at the place.
Five minutes later the girl almost
ran against Marston himself. Turning
corner in the tall hedged old lane, she
met him face to face, and her counte-
nance flushed crimson rs their eyes met.
She wished from her heart then that
she had taken any other of the many
paths about the village. He would con-
clude that she was throwing herself in
his way.
She had dropped her head instantly
and was passing on without word Of
recognition when he stopped her, re-
marking in his pleasant way:
Good afternoon, Miss Holland. How
glad l am to meet you! Splendid day,
isn't it? And what delightful old lane
this is!''
She murmured something and lifted
ner eyes to his for an instant, but tho
look of deep admiration on his face
drove her glance earthward again and
increased her confusion. He, noticing
her discontinue, chartered away in his
lightest mood.
They were standing thus when knot
Of villagers lounged by. Among them
was Jack Kendall, whose face was white
and grim. The moment Peg saw her
lover her heart leaped to her throat and
the color fled from her countenance.
The look Jack gave her checked the
words of greeting on her tongue, and
she stood there mute until the pitmen
had passed out of earshot.
"You will excuse ME, Mr. Marston,
she gasped out. Il must CO."
May walk with you little?" he
pleaded, his warm eyes fixed ON her
averted face.
mo; I have some one to see''
"A lover:''
"No"
I'm glad to hear that Do let me
come with you.
Look here, Mr.. Marston," she cried
suddenly, and she faced him bravely.
"What did you mean last night:''
when asked you to meet me:'
"Yes."
Il meant nothinS-at least nothing
wrong
"YOu did pot meap-vop sJ;d mot