Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-04-24
and foolish thing. Ny mother awoke


Zozi:" asked.
"Think Of calling you whatl Zozi?
Who ever heard of such a name, and
what could have put that notion into
your head. my child?''
''Oh, didn't know but that at some
time-before I was born-you thought
of calling me Zozi."
what an idea: We thought of nam
ing you Susan after my aunt"
And you never even thought Of the
name Zozi:''
such a name. and even if it had been
suggested we never would have thought
Of giving it &c YOU
That evening went to the house Of q
Eeighbor to see his daughter formally
presented to society. did not arrive en-
til rather late. and when did appear in
the drawing room the pet Of that nights
social within. the tender looking daugh.
ter of an uncouth old man. ran up and
heaped an ecstatic welcome upon me.
"Oh. have you ever met Professor
Marsh" she asked
mo. What is he professor OFF,
"Music-brilliant performer on the
piano" And then in whisper she
added: That's the reason papa invited
him. Isn't here altogether as a social
equal, you know. But he does play
charmingly. Wait till he gets through.
The professor had just begun wild
dash down an operatic precipice, and we
stood waiting. The wild dash ceased.
and the professor turned and bowed to
his admirers.
why, what's the matter?' cried tho
girl, catching me.
Nothing. Let me sit down mo-
ment''
She led me to chair. and the ap-
plause which followed the music cover
ed our words and drew attention from
our actions.
There's a doctor here somewhere, !"
said the girl. Let me call him.
NO was simply dizzy for q mo-
ment. It's not unusual with me- Oh,
don't be alarmed. 1t IS really nothing. .
But it was something-itw was Antonio
Moraso! And he looked at me with a
soul reading eye. Ny heart fiuttered,
and in my agitation wondered if he
knew me. But a moments reason told
me that he did not-persuaded me that
had dreamed and that this man mere
~ CHANGED to figure fittingly in the
vision. A moment later he was intro
duced to me. We strolled about the
rooms. into the conservatory, and sat on
a rustic seat under an oleander. We
seemed to be prompted by one impulse
as we turned toward the shrubbery-the
memory of one sweet evening in an Ital-
ian garden. The professor sat for a mo-
ment with his hand pressed against his
forehead, ard then he turned to me.
Passion beamed in his eyes. Suddenly /
was thrilled to my very soul! He had
whispered the name "Zozi.''
And you know me?" I said.
Yes. my angel"
A cold sense of propriety struck me !;
it came like the slap of wet hand.
"Don't-don't talk that way! Some
one might hear" whispered.
Yes" he replied. nodding in ap-
proval of my caution, and then he ask
ed. when did those sweet memories
begin to float in upon your mind?''
mot until today" answered.
Wonderful. This afternoon about 8
o'clock" he asked.
Eyes. replied, trembling.
he was silent for time, and he
pressed his hand against his forehead.
"All things have ceased to be astonish-
ing," he said. seeming to recall his
mind from strange wandering. land
am now prepared for all sorts Of spirit
ual manifestations. and do believe that
If dead man should rise up and con.
front me should not regard it as out Of
the province of reasonable and expected
occurrence. Zozi, what q school I have
gone through since 3 o'clock this after
noon was sitting in barber shop,
waiting for my turn. when my mind
was suddenly darkened by strange con-
fusion. and out of the darkness flashed
rays of light. and in the light were
strange but sweetest memories
thought must have dreamed, but, no,
had not dozed. l do not come as a
plowboy. precious. he added. smiling
The hostess came up and drew us
away. and soon the ''professor" had
drowned the low voices of the past with
had that night no chance for further con-
versation. but just before parting he
asked me if he might call the next day.
Yes" answered. "come in the aft
ernoon. Do you know where live?"
"Oh, can find the way. Good
night. he said aloud and whispered,
Angel"
had gone to bed and was Just doing
off to sleep when a moral self question
ing came with sudden force and aroused
| me to full consciousness. Had I acted
discreetly in granting that man. a stran-
ger from society's point of view, the
privilege of such an intimacya But.
then. how light were all customs of the
frivolous and heartless present when
weighed against the endearments of a
holy past. That man had been my hus-
band. and with me had shared the love of
a beautiful boy. and now should ques-
ton his moral right to lay a fond claim
to me? ] did not see how could. and
yet knew that society would accept of
no explanation-in fact, could compre-
bend no such relationship. wondered