Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-03-31

Tor MIN
Eyes, one, but he rode away again
Have you any further news?'
Something is going on i'll Bozle. 1
could hear cheering, and i thought l
could distinguish the galloping Of
horses. Whateve5is coming. my duty
is here, and now let me take you to
Nora
NO, no. 1 can't sleep now. My
brain is whirling with this nights
events. / feel as If / were about to
witness some great storm, some catas-
trophe Sleep is impossible tonight"
He turned with low voiced intensity.
What can 1 do to repair the injury
have done you and yours? When 1
left Barnett's home 1 was resolved
never to re-enter your life again.
honestly tried to get away from Louis
and to take myself absolutely out Of
your world"
She interrupted him with gesture
of protest You must not blame your
self-it had to be. DO you believe in
fatef"
81 do not, nor in luck" he answered
slowly.
Neither do 1, but 1 believe in COM
pensations. Since I came Up here l
have worked out theory of life. I've
been happy here That should comfort
you"
"It would only l cannot rid myself
of the thought of what you have sacri-
feed to be here. Each day has plung-
ed you deeper into this lawless barba-
risn."
There is where my theory helps
me. Ones life has a general average.
My life had no real value to me nor
to any one else till / came west. Pleas
ures come to me now when ! least eX-
pect them. That is a wonderful thing
to me. 1 thought 1 had lost all power
to wildly enjoy, but 1 haven't So
you see L am not accusing you or any
one. / have only reason to be thank
full, if only no harm comes to Louis
or my friends here. 1 shall not COM
plain"
1T is very sweet of you to try TO
tighten my sense of guilt" he replied
gently. But 1 cannot abSolve myself
so easily. i can understand your theo-
~, but 1 cannot understand how you
find a disappointment. You have ev-
eTything to make you happy"
She went on: Il am by heritage a
worker 1 know that now. My fathers
people were active and calculating
folk, and my life in the city was I'M
natural I've been deliciously hungry
and weary since I've been here-life
seems restored to its balance. You
have done me good-you and splendid
old Matt and sweet Nora
He sprang from his chair and faced
her You mustn't talk TO me So" he
exclaimed, almost harshly. Il shall
forget my promises and say forbidden
words to you. You unseat all my good
resolutions
She heard, but ignored his passionate
words. A sort of mental and spiritual
recklessness had seized her. "All my
life in the east and in the old world,
everything in the past, seems gray, as
If covered by u mist. The realities
seem to be here. 1 feel grateful to
you, and 1 want to ask a favor of
you"
Anything you ask, except renewal
of my promise of silence"
She hesitated before the rising storm
of his love. Il want you to let me
what do you mean"
"It's SO simple. You and Matt need
money. L want you to take Louis into
your mine as a partner. Hush"' she
warningly whispered as the sleepers
head moved on his pillow. IF he lives
he will want to work with you. If he
dies 1 must help you for his sake
HE will not die. He will live. But
you-Ann, there is something back of
this" He laid his strong hands upon
her shoulders, looking into her face
with such piercing passion that she
shrank and grew timid. You need
me? Is that 1t? Am 1 one of your
compensations?
She tried to smile. THAT would not
be Gathering. according to my tha.ry."
He refused to be diverted. II don't
care what your eastern world thinks
of me If only you are content with me.
l accept your theory. / deserve COM
pensation-some sweet return for my
lonely. loveless life on the plain. Will
you come? Is that what you mean%
He was master now, stopping at no
polite bar. Il will not let you go till
you speak your mind" His physical
uOiu Oh HeT aTlllS SOItelleu. Out Ills
spiritual self closed round her. six
months ago 1 was a rancher in the
foothills, and you were I'm great east
ern city. We were as wide apart as the
poles Now, here we are. / don't I'M
derstand it. This I know-you are
here. and I can't let you CO. 1 accept
your offer to go into the mine, but not
for Louis sake. l do it for my own
sake because 1 want you to be my
partner-my wife. What do you say,
Hesper, my star of the westy'
She put him away almost in terror.
II can't decide now. l must be sure
sure, and I'm not sure. 1 must have
time TO consider. 1 must go back into
my old life-to my native city"
You say you are happier here than
in the east. Why go back at all? WY
risk the loss of this new found health %
Il will be honest. 1t is because by
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