Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-15


world can see
vas a lover OF long standing
though had only recently avowed my
love. Adele had not the heart to
throw me over without preparing me
FOR the ordeal. she wouldn't accept
WimarJh until she had dispatched me
7 had the evening before brought mat
tiers TO a crisis, and she had run me
through the heart Having done so.
there was nothing 70 prevent her Civ
ing Wilmarth a definite answer to his
suit. She had written Il III the form
OF an acceptance.
This IS the reasoning I went through
in my mind as TO why Adele carried
that letter.
Adele came 70 the fork of The road
evidently embarrassed. Since she
could not get rid Of the letter just be
fore meeting me she tucked 1t in her
belt. noticed she was careful to
place the address inward so that Il
could not be seen. She was blushing
TO the roots OF her hair. If there was
any doubt in my mind before that the
letter was for Wilmarth there was
none now.
why do you crumple your letter.
I said. 'It VIII not be presentable
when received"
"Oh. 7 don't think .its appearance
viii make much difference to its recip-
lent. It's the inside of letter that
interests one"
TITS singular that you and 7 have
met on a similar errand. I'm on my
way TO the postofice to mail a let
ter"
This did not seem to interest her;
at least she made no reply to the re-
mark The postof1ce was but a few
hundred yards ahead Of Us. Crossing
a walk leading from the village,
struck into it Adele followed.
1 had no sooner done so than I was
dissatisfied with myself Had not
Adele settled the matter between US ?
What weakness TO keep up an as
ISOLATION that could lead to no good!
The truth Is 1 was desperate. 1t Is
one thing for a man TO be obliged to
give up woman he loves and another
to give her up to some particular man.
The evening before I had been con-
dsmned; in this letter I saw my eXecu- |
ton.
Neither Adele nor I spoke till we
reached q side Hill on which was a rus.
tic bench. There we seated ourselves. F.
7 remember few things IN the land F.
scaDe before and beneath US There /
were scattered dwellings ard a church. /
Through the fields ran a canal with I
locks, in one Of which men We're low f.
ering a boat. 1 was far too preoccu- I.
pied to have noticed this had not Adele .
said;
I'm always interested in seeing
canalbcet 60 through locks"
Especially when It's let down TO its .
future level" I said Gloomily. "Yo
haven't asked me to whom my letter .
has been written
1t would not be polite to do So"
1T is TO my uncle, accepting the posi-
ton he has offered me- sail next .
week for China"
The announcement didn't seem to
bring the slightest pang to her; at
least she gave evidence OF none.
They're letting the water out of the
lock now" she remarked.
81 have given my promise to remain
IN China five years before returning to
America. and then only to stay a few
months"
Now they're going to open the
gates"
This was maddening. Yet l was an
gTy only with myself. Could there be
anything more pusiIlanimous than for
l man refused TO attempt in this
naudltn fashion to excite sympathy in
he girl who had refused him2
since this is TO be our last meeting
70 years, perhaps forever, I ask you
% permit me to do something for you.
/ little favor, a trifle. / wish to remem-i
Jer IT in connection with this parting"
what is it," she asked.
Permit me TO take that letter to the
nail for you l promise you / Will
lot look At the address"
"CL, there's no hurry ABOUT posting
t; il win Keep"
What could be more self sacrifcin
han for me, having received
Iuietus from Adele, 10 post her lettG.
ceeptiug WlImarth? 1t would be typ
car, of course, but lovers Ike things
ypical rather than real
why should there be delay?" 1 =
steI.
q
vas evidently intent upon the canal a
0at which was now floating out into J
he open basin. ?
Come" l said, why should you q
clay posting your letter TO Mr.. VII. :
larthT' :
It had come out in spite Of me. She +
1rned and brought her big, honest,
urprised eyes to bear on me. 4
Pardon" / stammercd. q have no o
light TO assume to whom your letter r.
written" \
She looked at me for some moments II
'ithout speaking. then said abruptly:
You may post the letter" =
Ny noble, self sacrificing act, typical 4
7 the greatness Of my love for her
ad collapsed. ] was now 10 do T.
IvCr as a punishment for TRUSTING
lysclf into her private affairs. She j
iteuded to crush me Taking the let :
# from her belt. she handed il 70 me.