Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-09-13
DAILY STORY
81 WOULD RATHER NOT"
[Original.

about her mother without success.
She naturally inferred that his loss
was too great to dwell upon. She had |
also asked for picture of her mother.
but was told that none was in posses
sion of the family. |
Colonel Sears was wealthy and not |
only gave his daughter everything she |
needed or desired, but made her the |
medium for what he bestowed in char +,
ity. Strangely enough, she took fan |
CIV to establish q home for erring Wom- |
en--a small affair in which temporary |
shelter and encouragement We're given
to a few who had been unfortunate,
but who had not yet started on a life
consequent upon their misfortune. Her
father was away when she conceived
this design, and when he returned he
tried in vain to dissuade her from 1t. But
she had Il strong will and was loath
to yield. Besides, she had gone so far
that in case she abandoned her home
all that had been invested would be
q dead loss. Her father consented, but
Charlotte could never persuade him TO
enter the place. Indeed, it seemed to
One day a carriage stopped at the
door of the Sears residence. 4 lady ell
tered the house and asked to see the
colonel. He was not at home, and the
maid took the message to Charlotte.
Charlotte went down into the room
where the lady was waiting. She
found a woman with Il sad face, from
which great beauty was fading. She
was richly dressed and in appearance
and manner lady.
Father is not at home" said Char
lotte. Can do anything for you!"
~ told the maid to announce me only
to your father. She did wrong to go to
you. No, you can't be of service to
me-"
Charlotte wondered what business
the lady might have with her father,
but was too Welt bred to ask. The
lady made no move to depart, but sat
looking at the girl, who stood before
her waiting. 1t seemed to Charlotte
that she had a very kindly face.
Il fear you are disappointed in not
finding my father If you will give
me your name, will tell him as soon
as lie comes in that you have been
| here, and he will call upon YOU
allow are you getting on with your
homer" asked the lady without motto
| ing the offer.
| My home? You mean the home for
girls who have been unfortunate? 1t
| isn't mine; only manage it. Father
has given all the money for it."
/ 7 l1- nrofp
Inmates, girls who have sinned without
suspecting that they were SHINING, pure
| in mind and impure under the law.
| Would you take in one who had trans
crossed the law knowinglyY
| Il would rather not"
The lady WINGED.
"Are you very happy?" she asked
presently.
Il have nothing to make me unhap-
py."
your father is very good to you.
| He is a good man."
Every one agrees with you in that. y
"And your mother-was she Il good
woman too?"
Charlotte's happy expression at hear
ing her fathers praises left her. Il
know nothing of my mother" she said
Nobody seems sufficiently informed OF
her to satisfy my craving for knowl
edge of her. But I'm sure she must
have been a good woman
why
''Well, father seems to feel her loss
so keenly. He hasn't the heart to speak
of her"
The lady was silent for a time. He
eyes were wandering, lighting occa
sionally on Charlotte with an expires
sion that Charlotte could not fathom
Presently she said:
"Your mother was a good woman"
''You knew her?'
. 'Well"
This was the last word the visitor
spoke. She arose. Charlotte begge,
her to tell her more, but resOlute ex
preston came over the visitors face
Z and she went out without looking back
) "Who shall l say calledy" aske,
Z Charlotte. But there was no response
5 The lady got into her carriage, ant
I as Charlotte listened to the sound o
) retreating wheels she felt that he
Z longing for more information on tn
subject nearest her heart would neve
( be gratified.
Later Colonel Sears called at tn
home of the woman who had visite,
5 him.
( "You were at the house yesterday,
3 he said.
6 Eyes. had an important announce
s ment which l intended to make to you
9 daughter, explaining all to her, but
s could not do it"
g what announcements
s 1.-THE man the law called my huS
g band has died in the asylum, wher
s. he had existed for a quarter of a Gel
& tury. 1 Went to you to claim yo
S openly and tell Charlotte that here
g after we might live together a happ
s trio l dared not break in upon he
g innocence. Her impressions must r,
s main as they are"
q "And you'll"
8 1--WE must continue to suffer"