Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-14

Phyllis paused, dismayed at the unwel
come thought-where would she be,
that she decided thus confidently to
run over?" But her face bore NO
trace Of a sleepless night as she enter.
ed the familiar parlor upon the follow
ing morning-in fact a pretty rose col.
or showed in Miss Phyllis soft cheeks,
while her eyes were bright with ex.
element
81 do declare" an old lady whispered
audibly. Miss Wentworth grows
younger each year."
Phyllis chose a seat ut the farther
end Of the room. looking with secret
resentment into the eager faces Of her
old friends and neighbors. Teddy and
his wife nodded to her from the door.
way, and again feeling Of utter lone
illness crept over her. Then she saw
the musician crossing the room 70 her
side.
Good morning." he said. but In his
brief glance and warm handclasp
Phyllis read a sympathetic understand
ing and wondered vaguely that his IN,
known presence should bring to heI
this comforting sense Of protection.
Several minor articles being hastily
disposed of, the auctioneer now drew
forth the little old spinet, while the rose
color deepened In Miss Phyllis cheeks.
Teddy's wife started the bidding by
an offer of 500, to which the must,
clan added $50.
Two hundred" cried Clarissa.
"And fifty" added the musician. A
ripple OF laughter ran around the room.
Three hundred" said Ciarisss
again.
"And fifty" persisted the quiet voice.
Teddy's wife paused to make a hur-
ried mental calculation. -Four hum
dred," she called sharply.
'And fifty" echoed the musician
For a moment there was no sound as
the auctioneer hesitated undecidedlyi
then with q little rush Miss Phyllis
came forward, her clear tones ringing
i out triumphantly. Five hundred"
cried Miss Phyllis.
The auctioneer smiled into her glow
ing face, and down came the gavel.
"Sold to Miss Wentworth for $5o0w
he shouted.
Phyllis walked dazedly over and
dropped on the lowest step Of lad
der. Her brothers face, Ciarissa's and
the musicians seemed to float con-
fusedly before her.
why did you not inform me Of your
wish to keep the spinet?" the musi-
clan asked reproachfully.
1--WE did not know" her sister-in-
law interrupted, shat you had $5esj
to spare"
Then Miss Phyllis laughed gleefully.
girlishly, and nodded to the musician.
"You tell them about It," she said.
There was a responsive twinkle In the
mans eyes
"You may not know" he said, shat
your sister possesses unusual talent az
a composer of music. Last night I
was fortunate In purchasing from her
the exclusive right to use one Of her
compositions upon a coming concert
T, tour, and it's value to me cannot be
reckoned by dollars and cents"
II sold It," Phyllis stated calmly.
"for $500"
Clarissa stared. do you mean to
tell me-" she said. that you spent
every penny you have in the world to
buy back wretehed old spinetT'
Every penny" Phyllis answered
cheerfully. But as her relatives moved
away in dignified disapproval she look
ed up at the musician with a tremu-
lous smile:
81 am wondering now" she confided,
'just where l shall keep my spipet!"
The man bent over her compassion
ately. You have had enough Of all
this" he said. "Come out into the gar
den. l should like to speak to you
there"
The hollyhocks which Phyllis had
planted nodded upon either side as she
followed him down the path. She
stopped to pluck a rose, to fasten q
fallen vine; then his eyes met hers
earnest, compelling.
81 fear" he said slowly, that you
: may doubt love which is spoken so
quickly. Will you try to bear with
me-to understand? Years ago
hoped with young mans longing to
meet the one woman who could be
my wife, but time passed, bringing
disappointment, for / failed to find
her. Then last night, when you stood
before me in the doorway, when the
moonlight shone white upon your face,
I 1 recognized In you that woman, and I
knew that / would love you always.
lrrevocably, just as ! realized at once
! the beauty of your song, and now l
beg for your promise to let me care for
: and protect you. That would be hap
| piness beyond all belief. Later perhaps
you, too. may learn the lesson of low
e Ing. Until then I shall be patient.
y shall wait"
Birds called to each other across the
Z silence Of the garden, while Miss Phyl-
lis sat with her face buried In her
: hands: then at last she looked up. smiI-
ing through her tear bright eyes.
'' 81 do not think you will have to wait
= long," she said haltingly. 1T is all
very strange and wonderful, but the
love for you is here now--in my heart
Y like the song that MAS lackad IN fba