Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-04-11

towering. Her ideals Of honor and
truth were shocked. but she was wo-.
man as well as an idealist. and she was
stirred to the depths of her soul by the
knowledge that she had won the man
whose love she craved.
81 want you to listen to me. Elsie"
he said, with a passionate intensity
that stilled the rising storm in her bos-
ON. DR. Christobal may have plead
ed his own cause already. 1t is not
for me to cavil at him for doing that,
but cannot lose you without a word.
Whether you marry him or me or nell
Their of us, shall love you forever. /
want you to know that. 1t is no new
discovery to me. ! think my heart
went out to you when | carried you i'll
my arms through the gale. and since
that hour you and i have had expert
eaces denied to most men and women
ere they reach the conclusion that they
are fit mates for the voyage of life. Do
you feel that. sweetheart? Have we
known each other ten days or ten
years."
His face was very near to hers now.
His arm was around her neck. 1t was
quite dark where they stood in the
shadow of the bridge. He could not
see the tears in her eyes. but he heard
her broken answer:
"Are DISQUALIFICATION using such
words to me?'
''Fair, Elsie. Fair to whom?"
"Recause-oh, how can ! tell you?
Are you free toto speak to me in this
way?"
elsie. l am pledged to no other wo-
man. if that is what you mean. Who
has been telling you otherwise?"
mo one. Indeett--indeed, alone am
to blame You will be angry with me.
but could not help it,
She could say no more. If she had
uttered another syllable just then she
would have broken down completely.
Courtenay placed his hand under her
his. He kissed her twice and laughed
softly. with glad confidence that sent
wave of delight coursing through Ell
sizes veins.
Sweetheart he whispered. II am
sure you would not have allowed me to
speak so plainly if you were going to
send me away. Now, | don't want you
to bind yourself irrevocably tonight
That would certainly not be fair.
don't know why l am to be angry or
what it was you couldn't help. and |
don't care red cent All ! want to
know is this-if the Kansas brings US
both back to the outer world once
more, have T as good chance of win
ming your love as any other 'man?"
'But must tell you. T. could not
look you in the face if you did not hear
1t. When | was left alone in your
cabin the second time and the sea
came in. a packet of letters fell out of
some clothes which l picked up from
| the floor. There was one from your
sister. I hardly knew what was do
| ing, but saw her name. ''Madge,' and
read few words on the half page
| above her signature"
. His left arm was now SO, we'll estab-
lished that his hand touched her cheek,
and he found it wet with tears.
| what wild conceit has crept into
your pretty little head?" he cried in
amaze. unconsciously raising Ais voice
somewhat. "A letter from my sister!
She is the most straightforward wo-
man breathing assure you. Never a
line has she written to me which could
bear any construction such as seems
to trouble you. Why. on the contrary,
Madge has often chaffed me for being
so like herself in giving no thought to
matrimony."
| "It is horrid of me to persist. but
owe it to you to tell you what | saw.
She alluded to your 'affianeed wife
and said that under no other circum
Estances.' whatever they were. would
she receive her."
Then Courtenay laughed again, and
Elsie found it was absolutely essentia
If Joey were not to be crushed that
her head should bend little forward
with the obvious result that it rested
on Courtenay's shoulder.
81 must show you the whole of thai
letter." he cried, land the others which
are tied up in the same bundle, Yor
will see me blush, l admit. but it viii
not be from sense of perfidy. Bu
there is one thing you have forgotten
Elsie" And his voice dropped to 6
tense whisper again. "In telling me
your secret. which is no secret. yor
have given me my answer. Your hear
must have crept out n little way t
meet mine, dear. or my sisters word:
would not have perplexed you. Sc
that is why you have avoided me dur
ing the past few days! But there
Now. indeed. am not acting quit,
fairly. 1t is unfair to ask you to con
fess when l want you to wait until, W,
win clear of our present difficulties be
fore you decide whether or not you car
find it to your liking to make poo
SAILOR man happy"
Joey was highly accommodatin:
dog under certain conditions. He hat
curled up so complacently that Elsi,
found she could hold him quite easil.
With. one arm. So the. other went .,ou
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