Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-11

i am very sorry, began Helen In
evident distress, but
Richard Hilton held up restraining
hand.
Don't go on. | know what You
mean," he said heavily. He was star
ing at the third finger of her left hand.
where a curious ring scattered pris-
matte rays of light in the June sun
shine.
She followed his glance toward the
ring, and her cheek flushed hotly.
"Of course it is ,Littleton. after all"
he said as if stating an undeniable
fact. Then. with slight bow. he
turned and walked away down the
sandy shore.
Miss Vincent looked after him with
dazed brown eyes and strangely
numb feeling in her heart When he
had rounded the lighthouse point and
disappeared within the shadow of the
tall structure she shivered a little, as
if with cold. She had been perched
among the powders under the shelter
| ing cedar clothed banks when Hilton
had found her an hour before, and
still she sat there after his departure
| with wistful, dreamy eyes fixed on
| the flashing sails beyond the breakwa
| ter.
Hello little cousin, Been looking
everywhere for you. l might have
| guessed you'd be somewhere by the
sad sea waves" Jeffrey Littleton
swung himself to a, seat beside her and
gathered handful of white pebbles
from the crannies of the rocks.
He was slightly built. rather good
looking young man with eyes placed Il
trifie close together and small rose
bud mouth like a girls. He caught
Miss Vincent's sun Drowned hand
with an air of possession that changed
to CONSERVATION as she pulled it has
tily away.
81 am only your fourth cousin, JEFF
frey" she said petulantly.
ut is quite evident that you wish
the relationship was still more dis
tant,' he said ruefully. He took care
full aim at stone down on the waters
edge and shot a white pebble down
ward. How do you like Miss Wen
dell?' he asked with elaborate care
lessness.
"She is charming" cried Helen en-
Enthusiastically. Il like her immensely
You know we were at school together.
although in different classes"
"HaEdsome-what do you think -
Jeffrey asked.
"She is lovely" said Miss Vincent.
looking curiously at him. For the
L CT haip
years before Jeffrey was showing in
terest in another woman.
How gladly she would have well
: coined the diversion during the last
twelve months of her awakening to
what love really meant! But, no;
jeffrey had been a devoted lover, APP
lparently blind to her growing indiffer-
ence toward him.
The fact that their betrothal was a
family affair and as yet unannounced
would have made it easier for her ia
have told him the truth and thus
broken of the engagement, but GER
tain pity for him had stilled the words
that had so often trembled on her lips
for only since the advent Of Richard
Hilton into her world had she known
what love was-that sweet upland
path that one knows instinctively
leads to heights Of bliss-height,
whence it takes lifetime to descend
1t was the old story of a pledged
word and love come too late. Sh,
had turned Hilton away and-Jeffre,
was speaking again in slow. hesitat
ing way, very unlike his usual man
ner.
You remember that day in Rom
when we were looking in the windoy
Of old Riconi, the goldsmith, and W
both saw the-ringY He touched he
finger gently with one hand.
"Yes," she said, a little breathlessly
1t was not often that jeffrey spoke q
such matters. Their engagement ha
been singularly free from sentiment
And you admired it's quaint settin,
and SO bought 1t and we called 1t a
engagement ring" he went on light,
ut is needless to relate that the house
of Vincent and Littleton rejoiced gfea
ly and that our boy and girl attach