Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-07-13


she said quietly. land have reason
for asking how 1t came to be found
here
This shoe was worn by my boy
| How old was he? Two. or three per
| haps. and yet-a manly little fellow.
We had pretty big estate back there,
and he delighted in following me
| about. loved to ride upon horse's
| back when 1 would hold him. or. better
still. to sit before me on the saddle
as we cantered wildly about the fields
| These rides were source of torture
| to his mother. and would laugh at
! her fears "a she stood. tense and
white, waiting 10 have him safe IN her
arms again.
| I'VE promised to give them up for
! her sake. but the boy coaxed very
| prettily one day for-.just one more
ride and l yielded. vowing that this
would be the last time" The man
cazed unseeing through the doorway.
TT was the last time" he continued
huskiIy II shall never know how it
happened-the little body slipped sud
denly from my grasp and lay motion
less upon the ground When l stopped
| blindly TO raise him in my arms the
mother was there before me. and at
| the accusing light in her eyes | drew
back afraid. She bore him tenderly
into the house. and when | would have
gone to her she repulsed me bitterly.
All night long l waited outside my
boys door as the physician watched
at his bedside.
How is he?" l asked at dawn. and
the old doctor shook his head gravely
and clasped my hand in sympathy.
Later a note was handed me. L read
il over now when the longing to so to
her becomes unbearable.
You have killed my child she
wrote. and l will never willingly see
| your face again
so I lost them both. 1t did not take
very long to arrange my affairs. TO
make sure that her future would at
least be provided for. Then l came
away. travelling abroad a greater part
of the time, trying to forget. or spend
ing the summer months in this silent
place. where l write my books and
further my experiments undisturbed-
did not realize my depth of loneli-
ness until met that little lad of yours
and sought to keep him at my side. A
at the sound of his voice. showed
him my collection of golden butter
flies A strange madness seized mel
| could not let him 60"
He had been talking excitedly. Now
he arose. and his tone was calm. The
child has been content. waiting for
mother to call for him. He is asleep
! down there in the little shack that |
xuiI n m
to you"
He laughed again harshly as he
turned toward the door. ~ shall be
under arrest. no doubt. Concealing a
child for two days will be rather diff
ficult matter to explain"
The girl put forth her hand impul
sively, looking up with tear bright
| eyes. Bring the child she said, and
leave the rest to me-"
The detectives face expressed
| amazement as the man returned carry
ing the boy. Bobbie greeted the girl
joyously. but his little arms did not
loosen their hold.
1T is all right" the girl said facing
the official This man is the boys
father. He has been spending some
time here in order TO pursue certain
course of study. though we did not ex-
pect to find him a this exact spot. The
child is quite safe in his care, you see.
and 1 will return with you presently
to end his mothers suspense"
The detective hesitated and then
quietly withdrew, and the girl laughed
nsteadily as the mountain mans"
eager. questioning eyes met hers.
1T is all true she said gently.
Your child lived. and that cruel note
| was written when the worst was fear
| ed. written in a moment of despair.
/ Since then Elizabeth has been break
! ing her heart in bitter repentance. AS
! she told her sad story / secretly de-
! termined to find you. This seemed
| discourag ing task; but. hearing that you |
! had been located in these mountains,
/ persuaded Elizabeth to take this
I trip under pretense of benefiting her |
/ health, hoping desperately the while |
! that some fortunate chance might lead !
us to your hiding place"
She turned to go. then looked back |
Her eyes shone. 81 could ut foresee |
Boobies part in the plan" she said, |
but my purpose has been accom-
pIished."
The waiting detective fingered a mo- |
ment more undecidedly, then slowly |
followed her flying figure as she sped |
down the narrow path. And a very !
short time later. as the father still sat /
holding his golden haired lad. the |
crude door was thrust open to admit a
beautiful woman, whose eyes were SOM |
Der no longer. but brilliant with joy.
Philip she cried. and in an in
slant he waS her side
Elizabeth" his voice entreated.
"can you forgiven
''It is I who beg forgiveness" she
said brokenly. "for having left you to
suffer alone so long"
And the girl who was 1.-The most Of
the time their friend" had confused
vision OF mother. father and child all
folded together in a close embrace as