Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-05-08

with only sad memories 10 Keep MN
company. And then on the desk beside
her she saw Darrelrs card, which the
maid had just laid there.
No one has ever given an explana-
ton of the fact that a woman's tender
ness for one man is so likely to result
in cruelty to another. But owing to
this popularity of feminine psychology
Darrell's sole reward for years de-
votion was the hasty note the maid
brought down five minutes later:
l cannot see you this afternoon. And
please do not come again till you are
willing that | should be nothing more |
than your friend.
HILDEGARDE DEvRIES.
"A lady to see me" Jack Carr, sit |
ting in his darkened room, with shade |
over his eyes, betrayed no satisfaction |
Mt the prospect of companionship. |
What's her nameT
she didn't say. sir. She said to tell
you that friend would like to see you
for a few moments"
"Oh show her up. I'm not much to
| look ut just ut present; but, anyway,
! the rooms too dark for her to See."
His philosophy stood by him till a
swish of skirts on the stairs suggested
| an idea so preposterous that his heart
| lcapcd He put up his hand as If to
ward off blow. Then voice said,
jack
'HildegarGew He sprang forward,
stumbled over footstool and regained
| his balance and his self control at the
same moment I'm not quite used to
this SORT of blind mans buff" he said
in rather GREATNESS voice. You
must find chair, please. Awfully
good of you TO look me up. I'm sure"
Hildcgarde was thankful that the
room WAS dark. In the clear daylight
her courage would have failed her.
u wasn't good ut ALL" she quavered
in an uncertain voice. II just had to
see you, Jack" Her voice died away,
and she regained it only by an effort.
Jack. tell me-was l mistaken in
thinking that you used to care for
meT'
The pause that followed seemed un-
cndurably long. NO." Jack said at
list in a voice unlike his own-"no,
shat was no mistake, God knows"
She breathcd more freely now that
the plunge was taken. Except for the
GryneSs of her throat and her burning
checks she felt almost at ease.
But | was mistaken about myself,
Jack | thought | could be satisfied
with = great deal of money and good
social position and all that, and what
l wanted all the time was you. l have
money enough for both of us. l
81, ~ al. TO I,ar
your-blindneSs" She hesftated at
the word. but took it CALAMITY. like a
thoroughbred. iii he eyes to you and
sunlight-oh. Jack. I'll make you hap
,py in spite of everything"
He crossed the room and stood be-
side her. "Hidegarde"' he cried hoarse-
: ly. You mean that you are ready to
refuse Darrell and marry me-"
MIR. Darrell means WELL" Hide
garde acknowledged with an air OF
| wishing to give every one his due.
But ou're-Jack."
| "You-you said something about my
| eyeSight." stammered Jack. Did you
| | mean
! Hildcgardc caught his hand. "Oh,
q dearest, that was what opened my
! | eyes, When / heard that you were
+ blind | couldn't bear it. and then
/ | knew perfectly well that | couldn't
9 live without YOU
, He swept her to him. and a blissful
moment followed. Put the mysterious
g.. sixth sense which belongs to you lee
:, Hildegarde TO divine diSQuiet in her
:, lover. She drew away palpitating
Jack, are You sure that you haven
-, got over caring for me?'
He was 50 reassuring on this point
that the scared color came back to bel
. checks. You're not worrying because
you're not rich?' she rebuked bin
: quietly. "Why. lack. we can get alon2
=" beautifully with what | have. even i
Il | don't come in for a share CT Uncle
1t Enoch's money!
1T isn't that altogether, darling
e You spoke about my eyes
L You are an unscliish angel" sair
/ Jack with conviction. But The trutl
q" is dearest. that the matter has bee
little exaggerated. Its been quit
II painful. you know. but the dccto
70 thinks that in three weeks | can g
!" back to the office again
i oh" Horror turned Hildegard
rigid in his arms. And I've proposes
y to You without any excuse"
u Jack did not answer-veTbaliy n
lie least-but without the aid of speec
II and in an incredibly short time Hide
x garde was convinced that no eXcus
S. was needed.