Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-10-05

~. you don't mean to protect her
from me-
LOOK here, Karl, do you think you
are wise TO be foOl?'
Il prefer not to discuss this subject"
Karl answered coldly You don't
seem to understand my position. Why.
it is absurd | have seen this woman
every day for years; met her and her
husband. We have been good friends.
That's all absolutely, and had l
thought of anything else should laugh
at myself. In wealth, position, every
thing, she is above me-"
''No woman is above her own heart"
Millar replied cynically. Look at her.
She is yours il You want her. Just
stretch out your hand, my boy. and
you have your warmth, your happi-
ness. your joy-unspeakable joy. the
most supreme joy possible to a human
being-and you are too lazy to reach
out your hand. Why, another man
would toll night and day, risk his life
and limb, for such a woman, yet she
drops into your arms unsought, found
treasure"
Karl laughed bitterly.
"A found treasure" he repeated.
Perhaps that is why l am indiffer-
ent''
Millar moved over to where the
young artist was seated on the couch
and sat beside him. He leaned toward
Karl and spoke low and earnestly,
keeping his big, black, glittering eyes
fixed on him.
Last fall. on the 9th of September
l shall never forget the date-I had q
singular experience he said II put
on an old suit Of clothes, one l had not
worn for some time, and as | picked
up the waistcoat Il sovereign dropped
ont from one OF the pockets. 1t had
been there no one knew how long. |
picked it up, saying to myself as
turned the gold piece over in my hand,
L wonder when you got there 1t slip
ped through my fingers and rolled into
some dark corner.
Il searched the room trying to find
it, but my sovereign had gone. l be-
came nervous. Again / searched. with
no result | became angry. took up
the rugs, moved the furniture about,
and l called my man to help me. l
grew feverish with the one thought
that l must have thar sovereign. Sud
denly a suspicion seized me. / sprang
to my feet and cried 10 my servant.
You thief: you have found tie sover-
eign and put it back in your pocket
He answered disrespectfully. l rushed
at him. | saw knife blade glimmer
in his pocket, and j drew pistol from
mine
He drew a shining revolver from his
hip pocket and laid it on the table at
Karl's elbow.
And with this pistol | nearly killed
a man for a found sovereign which
did not need" he finished quietly.
Karl was profoundly stirred by the
story, although he could hardly tell
why.
Il give found money away" he said,
laughing uncertainty and adding, for
luck"
80 do T. said Millar quickly, but
it slipped through my fingers, and
what slips through our fingers is what
we want. We seek it breathlessly.
That is human nature. You, too, will
through your fingers. And then you
will find that worthless thing worth
everything You can find it sweet
dear, precious"
Karl turned away from him, trying
not to listen to him.
"Kill man for found sovereign"
he repeated.
THAT woman will become sweeter
| dearer, more precious to you every
| day." the malignant one went on, his
words soaring Karl's soul. You will
realize that she could have given you
wings; that she is the warmth the col,
or-her glowing passion the inspiration
of your work. All this you will realize
when she has slipped through your fin
gers You might have become mas.
ter. giant. not by loving your art. but
| by loving her. Oh. to be kissed by her.
| to look into her burning eyes and to
kiss her warm, passionate MOUTH
Karl covered his face with his hands.
Millar picked up the delicately scented
shawl which had covered Olga's bare
| shoulders.
This has touched her BOSOM ne
cried, twining 1t around Karls head
and shoulders so that its fragrance
reached his nostrils.
| The boy lost control of himself and
caught the drapery, pressing it to his
| lips.
Both so beautiful" Millar persisted
| In his soft, even. melodious voice
"Oh, what you gould be to each other!
What divine pleasure you would find!"
Dropping the shawl, Karl started to
his feet.
BE quiet. You are trying to drive
me mad.' he cried. do you want to
ruin me? For Gods sake, man, be
stillv'
Afraid again, oh. Puritan" Millar
sneered. ''Why, boy, life is only worth
living when it is thrown away"
"Why do you. tell me that?" Karl
demanded. ''Why do you hover over
me? What do you want? Who sent
your
/ mo one. 1 am here"
Il