Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-02-16

even w mean hci SUI
He knew then what his answer
would be to his friends prayer. He
thought no more of the excuses which
he had been building in his mind. of all
the practical suggestions which he had
been prepared to make. Common sense
died away within him. The matter of
fact man of thirty was ready to tread
in the footsteps of his great predeces-
sor and play the modern knight errant
with all the whole heartedncss of Don
Quixote himself He fancied himself
by her side, and his heart leaped with
joy of it. He thought no more of
abandoned cricket matches and neg
lected house parties. A finger of fire
had been laid upon his somewhat tor
pid flesh and blood
"Well?" Andrew asked.
Duncomhe returned to the table and
laid the picture down with q reluctance
which he could scarcely conceal.
VERY nice photograph" he remark
ed Taken locally?"
81 took it myself" Andrew answered
81 used to be rather great ut that sort
Of thing before-before my eyes went
dicky"
Duncombe resumed his seat He
helped himself to another glass of
wine.
81 presume" he said, "from the fact
that you call yourself their nearest
| friend that the young lady is NOT eir
gagedT
NO" Andrew answered slowly, "shc
| Is not engaged"
Something little different in his
voice caught lis friends attention.
Duncombe eyed him keenly. He was
conscious of sense OF apprehension.
| He leaned over the table.
| do you mean. Andrew lie asked
| hoarscly do you mean
| Yes. | mean that" his friend an
swered quietly Nice sort of fool,
| aren't /? I'm twelve years older than
she is. I'm only moderately well of
and less than moderately good looking
| but. after ALL I'm only human, and I've
seen her grow up from fresh. charm
| ing child into one of Gods wonderful
women Even gardener you know,
| George, loves the roses he has planted
and watched over I've taught her q
little and helped her a little. and I've
watched her cross the borderland"
docs she know?'
| Andrew shook his head doubtfully.
81 think" he said, that she was be
ginning to guess. Three months age
l should have spoken, but my trouble
came. I didn't mean to tell you this
but perhaps it is as well that YOU
should know. You can understand
now what 1 am suffering. To think OF
her there alone almost maddens me"
Duncombe rose suddenly from his
seat.
Come out into the garden, Andrew,
he said. ~ feel stifed here
His host rose and took DuncOmbe's
arm. They passed out through thu
French window on to the gravel patti
which circled the cedar shaded lawn
A Shower had fallen barely an hou
since, and the air was full of n fresh
delicate fragrance. Birds were sing
ing in the dripping trees; blackbird
were busy in the grass. The perfum,
from the wet lilac shrubs was a yer!
. dream of sweetness. Andrew pointet
across q park which sloped down to tn
garden boundary.
up there among the elm trees
George" he said, "can you see CLEAN
of white? That is the hall, just to tn
: left of the rookery.''
Duncombe nodded.
"Yes," he said, II can see it."
Guy and she walked down so oftel
t after dinner" he said quietly. 81 hav
J stood. here and watched them. Some
! times she came alone. What lon
: time ago that seems"
5 Duncombe's grip upon his arm tight
! ened.
Andrew" he said, 81 can't gov'
: There was a short silence Andrey
] stood quite still All around them wa
:. the soft weeping of dripping shrub:
:. An odorous Whit from the walled ros
!. garden foated down the air.,
: I'm sorry, George! It's a lot to as
t you, know"
+ SIT isn't that"
! Andrew turned his head toward hi
/ friend. The tone puzzled him.
D Il don't understand"
e "No wonder. old fellow! / don't ur
t derstand myself"
J. There was another short silence. Al
$ drew stood with his sightless eyes turf
v ed upon his friend. and Duncombe wa
{ looking up through the elm trees t
: the hall. He was trying to fancy he
rs she must have appeared to this ma
who dwelt alone walking down til
meadow In the evening
NO" he repeated softly, 81 don't III
y derstand myself. You've known M
n for long time. Andrew. You wouldn
n write me down as altogether q sent
g mental ass, would your
IS, Il should not, George. I should ne,
IT er even use the word sentimental /
connection with you"
Duncombe turned and faced bill
squarely He laid his hands upon b
friends shoulders.
"Old man. he said, there's the trutl
NJ. So far ne n rpor oax. ~. eaf.7 a. II