Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-29

bound to take care of her sisters chm.
dren.
Six months ago freedom had come to
her. Dan was a man and prospecting,
Dollie was married, ard Nell had gone
TO live with her. So Aline Sherw1n
wrote to her lover that she was wait
ing for him.
The clock In the tower changed out
the hour Of 3.
She started. and her reticule fell to
the ground. Three. and he was not
here. Each clang Of the Dell had
struck on her heart like blow.
You have dropped your bag" The
man on the bench picked il up and Of
fered it to her. lifting his hat. I'm
| afraid you are disappointed" ne SAID
pleasantly. You were expecting some
| one:"
She hardly glanced at him. But she
was In the mood for confidence, and
his voice was sympathetic.
YES" she said and sat down. "A
friend who has been long abroad was
l
hour. and he has not come.
| i've been great traveller myself.
The man said. Where did your friend
| live abrOad?"
"ln Australia" Her eyes were still
seeking an advancing figure along the
| paths that led to this fountain.
| 1--WE been there. But Of course It's
a mighty extensive country. and the
cities are populous."
81 suppose so., she assented aD-
stractedly. Her heart was like lead
within her. 1T would be absurd to
suppose you had known Maurice Far
rar there"
Let me see" he repeated musingly.
Yes. ! did know man of that name.
What did your friend look like?"
HE was straight and handsome"
she returned dreamily. He had brown,
beautiful eyes. Il classic. clean shaven
face and curling black hair"
oh. that isn't the man ] know at
ALL" he said positively. THE Farrar
| know is rather stout and bearded
and quite gray"
Miss Sherwin nodded indifferently.
She glanced again appealingly at the
clock i'm the tower Fifteen minutes
past 3. He was not coming.
There is no use waiting" she said
rising. All the jOyousness seemed IL
have left her. Maurice would be
here-if he were alive
How dreary the golden day had
grown. how cold. And what moan
there was in the wind. a desolate cry
that found its echo in her hear.
The man on the bench spGang erect
straight. robust figure. He thrus,
his smoked glasses in his pocket
swept off his hat and held out sageI
arms
"Aline"' he cried. "Maurice is here"
For one wild. stunned. mcredulou:
moment she stared at him. Then sh,
took Il faltering step forward. Hi.
arms closed around her as she sobbet
out her gladness on his breast
Marked by exile and labor. premature
ly gray, and yet the same-the oil,
sweet smile. the old loving eyes.
1T was no deliberate deception
dear. Ii was only when saw you APP
preaching that l remembered tn,
| glasses ! must wear in strong sun
shine and slipped them on. l canno
read with them on" he laughed. 'bu
| bent over the paper just the same
My dearest own girl, will you forgiv'
me? You have kept your girlish beau
ty. The fever that made my hair gra!
makes me look older than l am"
, Her color had come back in a ros,
red tide. She smiled up at him. stand
> ing stalwart and dignified before her
and she cried TO him: You are hand
:, somer than ever. Maurice. But ever
n If you were really bent and crippled
q yes, and blind-you would be- II
p you've always been. the only man il
=. the wide world for me!'
And now the leaves had a merry rus
tie and the wind a song of joy.