Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-03-05

ABROAD. visited MS aunt ana one morn
ing, while recounting his travels, Olive
came into the room. She gave but one
glance at Elliott, but his eyes became
fixed upon her and followed her till
she left the room. He tried to resume
the thread of his recital, but in vain.
His tongue would not describe what
had been driven from his thoughts.
Since the girl was servant he had
the good taste not to show the interest
she had created in him. The truth was
that that silent figure which had en-
tered the room had taken out with it
all there was of value in his nature.
What came of this is only what
comes in such cases. Elliott Whites
aunt one day was surprised at hearing
fragment of dialogue between her
nephew and her servant.
The fever! 1t never leaves me-" he
said.
II have told yOu to go away from me
and stay till you are cured"
land you:"
az shall never be cured, but 1 will
not be your wife. My respect for my
self may not be strong enough to hold
me. but my love for you will never
permit me to drag you down to my
level"
"You are better educated than halt
the girls, who only learn as parrots
learn. | am sure you came of gentle
parents. There has been 4 financial
crash in your family, and when it came
you bravcly began ut the bottom and
you will rise TO the top
THAT is not so. If it We're 1 would
own it TO you
a step in the hall ended the dialogue.
The aunt and mistress went away
troubled. but she never mentioned
what she had heard to the lovers or
any one else.
Olive was taken i'll. and a doctor
was called to attend her. When he
went downstairs after his first visit he
found Elliott White in the library
Elliott had been waiting for him with
fevcrish anxiety.
"Well, doctor:"
The doctor looked at him searching
ly He had. heard those words too
often i'll other cases of anxiety not TO
know that the young man was the
girls lover.
Strange said the doctor, looking
at Elliott with a PARKWAY expression.
Put, doctor, tell mc-is it i bad
case:"
I'm afraid it is"
For heavens sake. don't tell me
there is no hOpe"'
There is hope" said the doctor. still
looking at Elliott with the same singu-
lar expression. why are you so in
terested z"
Doctor. l am in torture. 1 am wild.
1 can tell you, n physician. to whom
many n secret is laid bare. that /, Il
gentleman. love this servant maid. If
she dies l shall so mad: if she lives |
shall go mad. for l can't marry her"
NO. you can't marry Il servant IN
less you want TO make your life hers.
But be of good cheer. / do not promise
that she shah live, but 1 promise that
if you marry her you will marry a
lady"
Elliott stood staring, his expression
plainly asking. What do you mean?"
But the doctor did not choose to ex-
plain just then and, Selling his hat,
broke. away.
Ten days later the servant was out
of danger. One morning when the
doctor called he brought with him a
lady who went to olives room, where
she stayed n long while. Elliott was
in the house and wondered what it all
meant When the lady went away
the doctor came downstairs with her,
and the two stood for awhile talking
in the hall, but all that Elliott could
hear was the lady asking, How soon
can 1 take her homer" When the Wis
haH ln int 70
library. where he found Elliott.
Il have something to tell you,' he
said to the young man. Nineteen years
ago / assisted at the birth of girl,
the child of wealthy parents. There
was a malformation of the right claw
cle-I mean shoulder blade-that 1 had
not seen before. l never forget ex
ceptional cases. and when putting a
hot appliance to the shoulder OF the
girl upstairs 1 knew she was one OF
my medical children. This much I
feel at liberty to tell you without re-
vealing a professional secret That
the child was a founding l may also
say. But how she came TO be
founding 1 cannot reveal. though !
may assure you that she was born in
wedlock The lady who has just gone
is her mother"
The misshapen shoulder blade trou-
bles Mrs. Elliott White as any mall
formation. however slight. will trouble
the person of whom it is a part. and |
she would like to have it operated up
on Her husband will not consent !
He considers 1t the most important !
link in the chain OF his hfe's happiness. :
AIRS. White is one ef the prominent
women in the city of bsr residence
]. MARY ALICE BARKER.