Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-07-04
DAILY STORY
LOVE, THE CONOUERoR.

Ihe pay clerk came 20 himself while
the doctors We're working over him.
He looked around, mildly curious, and
his eyes fell on Miss Stafford.
You here! But, say, what's the
matter? Where am ~ he asked fee
bly,.
you've been hurt, Mr.. Bates-down
on the keys, you know. You're at
Miami now. Don't you remember the
railroad extension and the hurricane?"
"Oh, yes. The others saved?"
Not all. But l won't tell you any
more now"
He closed his eyes YEARLY, but hap
PLY. The mere fact that the contract
ors daughter had felt sufficiently in
terested to come to him was enough.
At first it had seemed simple frac-
ture of the arm, but as the days passed
complications developed. There were
consultations of doctors, and the ques-
ton of an amputation was discussed.
An attempt had been made TO keep the
gravity of his position from Bates. but
the quick brain and keen eyes of that
young man pierced the flmsy sub>er-
fuges. He OWNED that he was in
critical condition. Then one day Miss
Stafford came again. The nurse was
| standing near.
Il would like to see you alone a few
| moments" he began. Then, as the
| nurse slipped from the room, "Kneel
down, Miss Stafford, please, so that
| your eyes will be on a level with mine"
She kneIt, wondering.
That's right Now look straight at
| me. 1 want you to tell me how badly
hurt l am"
Her troubled gaze met his and wa
| vered.
The doctors do not know yet ex-
actly," she told him gently.
He smiled family. but with some
thing in his eyes that called for a
definite answer.
Come, Miss StaffOrd-Kate; it's no
use lodging. Look at me and out with
it. I'm not a schoolgirl. Am 1 going
to die?"
Her voice was very brave, but it hurt
her more to tell the truth than 1t did
him to hear it.
I'VE hope it is not so bad as that.
You have been badly shaken, and there
are internal complications. but the
| ic,N
Are they going to amputate?"
Eyes"
His eyes WINGED, but he held his
voice steadily. They're afraid the
shock will kill me-ts that it?''
She nodded. her throat swelling to an
imposslbility of words.
He lay quiet for time. his face
turned to the wall. Her whole heart
pity for the man so stricken, strug
Cling along in the grimmest fight of his
life. The girl had the insight to re
frain from words, but under the strong
impulse she leaned forward and touch
ed his cheek with her lips. His vel
hand sought hers, found it and Grippet
; it strongly.
When he turned again toward hel
; she was amazed to find in his eyes
shining triumph. She had looked FOL
them to fly the flag of despair. perhaps
; or brave endurance, but certainly no
this.
ITS all right, dear" he said con
tentedly Il have been too difIldent-
too much of coward, 1t may be. Blu
there was talk of you and anothe
= man, and-and l could see that he wa
more suitable. l am poor man, witt
just my salary, and you and he ar
wealthy. ] never spoke, scarcely dare
to look. Yes, l have been n coward
In time 1 might have won. have
, 81 think you are the bravest man
know" she interrupted simply.
, They were silent for many minute
| after that, both thinking of what tn
} end might be, the likelihood that h
. might be going to his death. OF til