Rock Island Argus., 1911-07-21

DAVID she breathed.
"It is good TO see you. N-Nell," he
said. stammering in his Joy like a
schoolboy. "Never expected to find
you here. II am looking for public
stenographer.'
The little gray figure retreated to-
ward the curtains: then Miss Nell
laughed trernulously. Il. too. wished
to engage Miss Owens services" she
said. but have learned that she viii
not be here this afternoon"
The man stood looking at her for
moment: then with a quick stride he
crossed the room.
Nell" be entreated. grant me a
few moments alone. Is your ONCE or
studio in this building%
Yes" she answered. and her tone
was quite composed, II am located
here, David, but when we have congrat-
ulated each other upon our phenomenal
success"-she smiled up at him-"then
It will be wiser to shake hands sim
ply and say goodby. You have been
successful. DavidT'
81 suppose so, Nell.' he said. "At
least / have made some money. That
spells success, does 1t notY David
caught his breath sharply and hurried
on: "My life has been like that famous
picture of yours. Nell. There have
been blossoms along the way, Of
course, but the blossoms never lasted
long, while the fruit OF my labors-
that's the money-is garnered away
somewhere. 1 don't seem TO enjoy 1t.
So now there is nothing but the bare
tree with its naked branches. 'Bereft'-
isn't that what you call itY'
The girl drew farther back against
the curtains. Bier face had grown very
white.
"T must speak. Nell," David said
tensely. 'I have waited too long TO
miss this chance. Fame is not q salts
flying thing, dear, and now that bow
humbly before you. acknowledging
your skill and your triumphs, won't
you come and fill this empty life of
mine with happiness? 1 do not ask
the sacrifice of your beautiful dreams,
dear one. 1 crave but the privilege to
care for you, to be near you. VIII you
conner
NO." she answered gently. mo, Da-
vid, for L must always dream my
dreams alone"
| baNlu tuTutu dDTupIlyN To BO as ne
reached the door it was thrust open to
admit the same stout old gentleman,
who waved a fat hand in greeting to-
ward the figure huddled against the
curtains"
Miss Owen" he cried. glad to md
you here. VIII you now finish that in
terrupted dictation?"
The old mans query was met with
silence, while NelIs sweet face chang
ed from white TO crimson in the most
alarming manner David hesitated a
moment uncertainty; then his puzzled
expression gave way to one OF sudden
enlightenment.
BEG pardon, sir" he asked the be-
wildered old man, but is this lady
generally known as Miss Owen, the
public stenographer"
Certainly" the man responded,
''she is Miss Owen"
David's laugh rang out boyishly. 'In
that case" he said, II will have to
keep you waiting while 1 discuss a
er-business matter with Miss Owen.
1 will not detain you long," he added
in low tone as the stenOgrapher tim
idly followed him into her private sane
tum.
Then when the curtains had been
carefully adjusted he caught the little
gray figure up in a masterful embrace.
while the crushed blossoms gave forth
a dying fragrance.
49," he said breathlessly, "this is
what you have been doing all along,
working away here night and day in
order to send them money at home,
burying your aspirations under a cloak
of deceit that they might not be disap-
pointed In your career and living un-
der an assumed name so that they may
never learn of your sacrifice Girl,
girl, how could you do it?''
'All your prophecies came true. Da-
vid.' she said. II was a complete fail
ure as far as art was concerned; even
when / tried to pass off my paintings
as 1mpressionist pictures they would
not take them" Her little smile of
mOckery vanished. 'I could not bear
to disillusionize them at home" she
continued. "The faith of those two old
people was thing that one could not
lightly destroy, and so drifted on
until the weaving Of the wonderful
tales wrote became my chief delight
/
stitute for the reality"
81 have been too yielding and pa
tient with you always, Nell. Hence
forth you shall be managed-dictated
to. We will go back to the old farm
and tell them all that you have found
love to be far greater power than
art, and then-then we shall be mar
ried. Shall we, Nell? Do you under
standp
IF you please" came an impatient
voice from the opposite side Of the cur
tain, "have you taken that young
mans dictationY
And as Nell appeared the stout gen.
! tleman blinked in surprise at her ra-
diant face Yes" she answered de-
murely, 81 believe have"
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