Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-03-30

wear a wedding-ring
He tried to seize her hand, but she
swiftly drew 1t back.
That's a present." she said, blush I
ing once more and vainly striving to
hide her embarrassment.
Christine! AS you have no hus-
band, that ring can only have been
given by one who hopes to make you
his wife! Why deceive US further?
Why torture me still more? That
ring is a promise; and that promise
has been accepted"
That's what said!" exclaimed the
old lady.
And what did she answer, mad
amer"
What l chose" said Christine,
driven to evaporation. Don't you
think. monsieur, that this cross-exam-
ination has lasted long enough? As
far as I am concerned :"
Raoul was afraid to let her finish
her speech. He interrupted her:
II beg your pardon for speaking as
I did, mademoiselle. You know the
good intentions that make me NEEDLE,
just now, in matters which, you no
doubt think, have nothing to do with
me. But allow me to tell you what 1
have seen-and have seen more than
you suspect, Christine-or what I
saw, for, to tell you the truth, have
sometimes been inclined to doubt the
evidence OF my eyes"
We'll, what did you see, sir, or
think you saw?"
'T saw your ecstasy at the sound
of the voice, Christine; the voice that
came from the wall or the next rooms
to yours, yes, your ecstasy!
And that is what makes me alarmed
. on your behalf. You are under a very
dangerous spell. And yet 1t seems that
: you are aware of the imposture, be-
cause you say today that there is no
Angel OF Music! In that case, Chris
!, tine, why did you follow him that
time? Why did you stand up, with
radiant features, as though you were
really hearing angels? An, it
.. is a very dangerous voice, Christine,
:. for / myself, when | heard it, was SO
!. much fascinated by it that you van
!. ished before my eyes without my see
> ing which way you passed! Chris
:, tine, Christine, in the name OF heaven,
: in the name of your father who is in
heaven now and who loved you so
= dearly and who loved me too. Chris
!. tine,- tell US, tell your benefactress
= and me, to whom does that voice be
long? II you do, we will save you in
spite Of yourself. Come, Christine
- the name OF the man! The name OF
the man who had the audacity to put
:, ring on your finger!"
m. de Chagny." the girl declared
= coldly, you shall never know"
!. Thereupon, seeing the hostility
:. with which her ward had addressed
!. the viscount, Mamma Valerius sud
denly took Christine's part
And, II she does love that man
monsieur lie vicomte, even then it II
no business Of yours!"
ALAS, madame" Raoul humbly re
. piled, unable to restrain his tears
does love him! But II is no
- only that which drives me to despair
for what am not certain Of, madame
is that the man whom Christine love
= is worthy OF her love!"
!. 1T Is for me to be the Judge o
- that, monsieuri" said Christine, look
A. ing Raoul angrily in the face.
When a man." continued Raoul
"a adopts such romantic methods to en-
tice young girls affections
The man must be either a villain
or the girl fool; Is that it?"
4. "Christine?'
aPaouI Univ 10 vo,, nondornn . -,
whom you have never seen, whom n
- one knows and about whom you YOU
"a self know nothing?"
"a Yes. Christine. Yes.
p. at least. know the name that 70
or thought to keep from me for evel
The name OF your Angel c
"a Music. mademoiseIle, Is Erik"
dv Christine at once betrayed hersel
,as She turned as white as q sheet an
stAmmered:
nj Who told your"
You yourselfl"
rey How do you meanr"
wv by plying him the other night, IN
"a night Of the masked ball. When 20
went 10 your dressing-room, did 20
"a not say. Poor Erik Well, Christine
,at there was q poor Raoul who overhear
~. you"
r,e This is the second time that 20
Nm. have listened behind the door, NJ. d
ON Chagnyi"
Il was not behind the door
\ ! was In the dressing-room, In tn
,sa inner room, mademoiselle."
he oh. unhappy mani" moaned tn
ass girl, showing every sign OF unspeal
-ou able terror Unhappy man! Do 20
4 4 want to be killed."
As Perhaps"
asst Raoul uttered this perhaps" wit
In 90 much love and despair in his voic
de- that Christine could not keep back
us sob. She took his hands and locke
md at him with all the pure affection {
which she was capable.
I'M "Raoul." she said, forget the man
he'd voice and do not even remember 4
rds name. You must never try I
he fathom the mystery Of the man
Ing voice"
Il Is the mystery 50 very terrible3"