Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-02

49,
man to cause me to feel that wished
her to become one with me. ] was
introduced to her by q mutual friend
and from the moment / first saw her
/ felt strangely drawn to her. This
feeling grew as we enjoyed that unique
city in each others company. Togeth-
er we threaded the winding narrow
passageways-they cannot be called
streets-on which are displayed trim
kets TO tempt tourists. We strolled
about St. Marks square and fed the
pigeons there. We were rowed on the
canals, and at evening under the light
of the moon we Joined throng OF gon-
dolas on the basin of the grand canal
just off the doges' palace. their occu-
pants listening to concerts on lantern
lighted floaters.
This in itself was enough to light the
fame of love, but l am sure that with
out it we would have loved the same.
1t was one evening at Lido, resort
near Venice. on the shore of the Adri-
attic. that we agreed to pass what re-
| manned of our natural lives together.
| Miss Margaret Lawrence-She was ten
years my jUnior-admitted that she, as
/, experienced her first love. a soul
love rather than physical love, for
neither of us was in the first flush of
youth.
We spent a part of the winter to-
gether IN Florence. Rome and Naples.
each and all places overlooking with
that which appeals to persons who love
art and, above art. to dwell where
dwelt 1000 years ago living. sentient
beings of whom we know much. at
the coming Of the new year | was
obliged to return to America | sailed
from Naples one afternoon when the
sun stood low over the beautiful bay
and with a glass could see my love
standing on the sea wall gazing after
me till distance caused her to fade
from my eyes.
Several months must pass before she
would join me, but in the meanwhile
l would be interested in preparing our
future home. As soon as / reached
America l commenced these prepare
tions. but even they could not take
away loneliness that | had never
experienced before counted the
weeks till | should be united to one
! could not but esteem a companion Of
the soul as well as OF the flesh. Why
felt so toward my Margaret ! was
ct a loss TO know. / only knew that
so regarded her.
The spring opened. and with it | re-
ceived a letter from England giving me
h. 1aN - 81,
coming meant so much to me | mark
ed off each day on my calendar to in
tervene between the present and her
arrival, | read of the sailing Of her
ship and was looking forward to our
reunion when
One night went to bed very early.
having been up the night before work
ing on the furnishing Of our home.
had not been asleep more than an hour
before | was awakened by chilly feel
ing | drew more blankets over me.
but could not get warm | lay shiv-
erng, but. being sleepy. passed into {
condition that can only be described
as half asleep and half awake.
. / was again on the Grand canal a
J Venice with Margaret BUT instead Of
the season being summer 1t was win
ter. The stars were shining above
J but, oh. how cold. My teeth chatter
ed; Margaret's teeth chartered. Blu
despite the fact that we were LOCKED
in each others arms we could not &c
warm.
st. Marks square was lighted. as |
always Is at night, and as | gaze
the lights seemed to be slowly sinking
There was a strange look about them
a ghostly look But they were too ia
distant for me TO see them plainly
They did not light the palace or tn
Of st. Marks or the campanils