Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-08

ana she INFORMED Selwyn Jnau made
moiselle had bad in re head"
But at the sound of conversation In
the corridor Eileen's gay voice came
to them from her room asking who 1t
was, and she evidently knew, for there
was hint of laughter In her tone.
1T is l. Are you better?' said Sell
wyn.
Yes. D-did you wish to see mel"
"Yes"
The pretty greeting she always re-
served for him, even if their separa-
ton had been for few minutes only,
she now offered hand extended, cool.
fragrant hand which lay for second
| in his, closed, and withdrew, leaving
| her eyes very friendly.
"Come out on the west veranda," she
said. Il know what you wish to say
to me. Besides, / have something to
confide to you too And I'm very I'm
| patient to do it,
He followed her to the veranda She
seated herself in the broad swing and
moved so that her invitation to him
was unmistakable. Then when he had
taken the place beside her she turned
toward him very frankly, and he looked
up to encounter her beautiful direct
| gaze.
what is disturbing our friendship"
| she asked. DO you know? don't
went to my room after luncheon and
lay down on my bed and quietly DELHI
Grated. And do you know what conclu-
sion 1 have reached"
"What?' he asked.
'"That there is nothing at all to dis
turb our friendship and that what ]
said to you on the beach was foolish.
l don't know why l said it. I'm not
the sort of girl who says such stupid
things, though 1 was apparently for
that one moment. And what l said
about Gladys was childish. l am not
jealous of her, Captain Selwyn. Don't
think me silly or perverse or sentimen-
tai, will your"
81 wish to ask you something"
with pleasure" she said. GO
ahead" And she settled back, fearless.
ly eXpectant.
every well. then," he said, striving
to speak coolly. "It is this: Will you
marry me, Eileen?"
She turned perfectly white and
stared at him, stunned. And he re
peated his question, speaking slowly
but unsteadily.
"N-no," she said, 81 cannot. Why
why. you know that, don't your"
Twill you tell me why, Eileen"
/ ssT ,i,,Iy
suppose that it is because 1 do moi
love you-that way"
EYES," he said, "that, of course, i:
| the reason wonder-do you suppose
, that-in time-perhaps-you might care
for me--that way?'
, 81 don't know" She glanced up a
him fearfully. fascinated. yet repealed
81 don't know" she repeated pitifuily
"Is it-can't you help thinking Of m,
in that way? Can't you be as 20,
were?"
mo. 1 can no longer help it. / dom
want to help 1t, Eileen"
"But-I wish you to-" she said in
low voice. ct is that which is com
ing between US. Oh, don't you see |
is? Don't you feel it-feel what it i
doing to us? Don't you understand
how it is driving me back into myself
Whom am l to go to If not to you
What am I to do If your affection
turns into this-this different attitud
toward me? IL loved you so dearly
so fearlessly."
Tears blinded her. She bent he
head, and they fell on the soft, delicat
r stuff Of her gown, flashing downwar
in the sunlight.
n Dear" he said gently, nothing
+ altered between us. 1 love you in tina
n way too"
''D-do you reallyT' she stammered
1 shrinking away from him.
a Truly. Nothing is altered. Nott
ing Of the bond between us Is weak
le ened. On the contrary. 1t Is strength
ened. You cannot understand tbs
e now. Butwhat you are to believe an
D. always understand Is that our frient
T. ship must endure"
II want to ask you something" st
he said. merely to prove that you are
little bit illogical. May II"
3 He nodded. smiling.
"Could you and care for each 9th,
20 more than we now do II we were ma
6, riedY,