Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-02

homebody. who only wishes to be
loved? How old do you think girl
must be to really and deeply and truly
love, JIM
Stuart's brow contracted, and he took
her hand in his. stroked 1t tenderly and
studied the beautiful lines as they
melted from the firmly shaped wrist
into the rounded arm and gracefully
nodded body.
I'm afraid you've asked a bigger
question than I can answer, dear" he
said, with serious accent I've been
wondering lately whether the world
hasn't lost the secret OF happy mating
and marrying. A more beautiful even
life have never seen than the one IN
the home of my childhood. Yet my
mother was only fourteen and my ia
Their twenty-one when they were mar
RED Now folks only allow themselves
to marry in cold blood. calculating with
accuracy their bank accounts. Ny
mother had been married six months
at your age. and yet here l sit on a
pedestal and have the impudence to
talk to you as child
But you're not impudent, Jim" she
broke IN eagerly. land understand"
I'm beginning TO wonder" Stuart
continued. whether nature made
mistake when she made woman as she
n. once knew girl OF fifteen to
whom believe life was the deepest
tragedy or the highest jof of which her
heart will ever be capable. Else why
did the blood come and go so quickly
in her cheecks"
A sudden flush mantled Harriet's
face and she turned away that he
might not see. Stuart's head bent low
and rested between his hands.
81 loved such a little girl once,
dear
Harriet's face suddenly flushed with
Joy. 1t was too wonderful to be true.
but it was true! And he had chosen
this curious way to tell her. Her voice
sank to the softest whisper as she bent
closer:
And you love her still, Jim?"
His head dropped lower as he
sighed:
q loved and lost her, little pal! She
was married two days ago. She came
to the great city, learned its ways and
sold herself for gold"
The color had slowly returned to the
! little freckled face with its crown of
/ golden hair and the deep brown eyes
/ overlooked with tears for just a mo-
ment Ssh brushed them away before
he raised his head, so that he never
| knew
I'm so sorry, JIM" she said simply
81 understand now"
ITS very sweet to have you share
this ugly secret of my life, little pal
1t will help me-"
And you are sorry you ever knew
her, JIM"
mo, I'm not sorry I've grown to
see that there's just one thing in the
world that's really big-big as God is
blythe man who has attained a char
acter. l haven't lived at all yet I'm
just beginning to see what it means tC
live. Until now I've thought only OF
myself. A new light has illumined the
way. Now-Pm going to live for 9th
ers. From today shall ask nothing
for myself and l can never be dissap
pointed again"
Would it please you, Jim, if
should make a great singer?"
More than l can tell you, dear
Your voice is a divine gift. l envy yor
its power"
Her eyes were shining with a great
purpose.
Il know that it means years anG
years of patient work, but I'll do it.
she cried.
When the last echo of his footsteI
in the hall above died away and his
door had closed the little golden heaC
bowed low in a passionate tender
prayer:
God help me to keep my secret snC
yet to love and help him always"
ha