Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-10


chill came upon my heart. for l saw
that they were barrier between me
and the girl who would inherit them
at her fathers death.
When l parted from her 1 think we
were both dwelling on this, for a cloud
passed over her young brow as we'll
as over mine. Nevertheless a thrill
ran through our clasped hands, over
towering our fears.
Marcia did not invite me to the
house, knowing that her father, who
at least intended to guard her from
such as l, would not permit me to
come there. But she met me on the
bridge, which was midway between
her home and the village. where she
often went. Down the river bank was
a secluded path on which we could
walk without fear of detection. Though
pricked by conscience, | was not strong
enough to conquer myself or her and
go away from her, for had not even
a good suit of clothes. and was she
not an heiress?
For awhile. despite the wrong OF II.
there were flashes OF zeSt in this for
hidden fruit and times when all but our
dominant love faded for the moment
and left us exquisite happiness. But
there came a time when those periods
during which we were apart were I'M
bearable We were drawing near that
condition when pentup love must burst
its barriers 1t was Marcia who first
proposed flight. though | had been
! thinking of 1t. The conditions could
not remain as they were. Some one
who knew would tell: Marcia would be
| shut up: orr communication would be
broken. And 50 at last we came TO the
! inevitable conclusion that we must go
away together. be married and when
/ the knot had been tied would ask for
! giveness.
! Looking back on this period. it seems
/ to me that ] must have been demented
| /. a pauper, had no right to woo the
! daughter OF rich man, certainly nc
right to consent to an eiopement to
| gain that which cOulI not gain honor
| ably. / was a thief as much as or more
than one who starves and steals bread
or the wherewithaI to buy bread.
was hungry for love. while the starv
ing thief needs that which keeps the
life in his body. Put I yielded, and
now | am paying the penalty.
And yet am | paying a penalty
There Is in me a pleasing sense Of do
ing penance for my sin. Is it for the
sim: No; 1t is for her love. ! glory
in my suffering since I know that
have saved her from what | could not
bear to have brought upon her.
II we were to 90 away together We
should have gone sooner. Farmer Hos
mcr got wind Of something wrong and
shut Marcia up. He did not know
where the danger lay and had never
seen me. Indeed. / had purposely KEEP
out Of his way, for | dreaded to NEE
him. Marcia's Imprisonment made ms
desperate. and then-and then
One night when all was still and
dark, carrying a ladder. | went TO tn.
HOsmer farm, stood under Marcia,
window and threw gravel lightly
against the panes. Softly she raised
the sash aud looked out. / ron up tins
ladder and was about TO ask her II sht
would go with me when she said:
Heavens! What are you doing: Ea
Their drove to the county seat today
and is expected home every minute"
AS she spoke there was sound o.
wheels crunching on gravel almost un
der the window. Marcia, frantic. pull
ed me in.
The ladder" exclaimed. THe vii
see it,
He did see It, for heard the Wagon
stop directly under the window. aEC
certain mutterings that tod me woalI