Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-01-31
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4
E1@1 the sun shining from 4 sky
tG<kAy unclouded, and the air warm
with the promise of spring. 1t called
him in Il way not to be resisted. and he
stepped out on the little balcony which
ran beneath the window: then he
caught the Odor of Il cigarette. and
turned to see Tremaine smiling ut him.
Good morning. cried rremaine. a
beautiful morning. isn't it? Won't you
join me-
You seem to be an early riser" OBJ
served Drysdale. who had thought to
find himself the first astir.
1t is habit one learns at St Pierre.
The dawn is. there, the only pleasant
portion of the day-one rises to burn
incense TO it,
You have lived long at st. PierreY'
NEARLY four years"
The mereSt flicker of amusement
flashed across Tremaine's lips and they
finished their cigarettes in silence.
They went down together TO breakfast
presently, but only Delroy joined them
there, and it was not an especially
pleasant meal. despite the bright sun
at the windows and Tremaine's i'm
perturbable good humor. As they
arose from table, that gentleman an
nounced his intention of going for
walk about the grounds.
Tremaine seemed to enjoy his walk;
at least he did not return to the house
until nearly the hour for luncheon At
that meal the women joined them, ana
a drive was planned for the afternoon,
which ended at the vesper service at
the little chapel at Babylon. For some
reason the drive had not been sue
cess; a certain constraint seemed to
have fallen upon the party, feeling
of unrest, OF uneasiness, which sent
them severally to their rooms as soon
as they reached the house.
Drysdale dressed Immediately What
instinct was it that told him to set his
foot lightly on the stair. or was it
only that he hoped to look down upon
her for a moment unseen? The sound
OF voices reached him, and leaning
over he saw two figures standing be-
fore the fire which the evening chill
had rendered necessary-Miss Croydon
and Tremaine. He started abruptly to
descend when he caught a sentence
that made him pause
I'm not In the least like that" Ire
maine was saying, and, though the
voice was carefully repressed it had in
II a ring OF savage earnestness I'm
your heart you know it or you wouldn't
stand there listening. L have come to
you at once, boldly. because I'm sure |
that l shall win. He is not worthy of |
youth your heart you know that also. |
He cannot hold you; he is too weak: |
shall wrench you away You're not |
the woman to be tied to a gilded |
rnediocrity."
She had been leaning away from him, |
staring into the fire, as though charmed |
into silence by this impetuous elo- |
quence Now she stood erect and look |
ed at him.
what you are proposing to me is IN
famous" she said through clinched
teeth.
"It is not IN the least infamous he
retorted coolly. 81 am offering you the /
future 1 know you sigh for. 1t is a
future that sigh for, too; that have
sighed for from the first moment i /
saw you, and which / am going to
make come true. Together we will
conquer the world. AS my wife,
"Your wife?" There was scorn, an
ger, fear in the words and in the glance
she cast at him.
"Certainly-my wife," he repeated.
with emphasis. "If 1 should prove to
you
She stopped him by an Imperative
gesture.
You go too far" she said There
Is a limit to what even / will endure.
DO not push me too far. Do not rely