Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-03
CHAPTER vi.
Mrs. D'Aquila Threatens.

tenderly at Lady Diana, who mad COM
to him with her basket of daffodils IL
her self imposed task of putting flow
ers In all of the old carved stone vase
about the old castle. Brancaste
thanked her again. as he often did II
these days of returning strength.
But I wasn't your only nurse" she
disclaimed. as always.
But you were THE one" he said
1T was your touch that brought peace
and your presence that brought sun
shine. 1t was you who called me back
to life and made me want to live
again"
"rm glad to think that" said Diana
softly.
Its your work." went on the young
earl. And now I'm nearly well again
so well that feel a fraud for con-
tinuing to play the invalid, so we'll that
ought to go away"
Lady Diana was embarrassed Such
! tones and such sentiments from any
| one she had known hitherto would
| have been met by an instant retreat
! into her British she'll. but with this
man they only made her uneasy and
not at all displeased.
which she had brought with her. He
took it and turned the pages.
by Jove!' he exclaimed.
What is it?' she asked.
These studies OF hounds-they look
like my work, but can't recall max
ing them. And here's one I'll swear
never did"
Lady Diana looked over his shoulder.
Dido" she said. mo. l did that.
Don't you remembers"
Brancaster put his hand to his head
in dazed fashion.
NO" he said.
You'd been sketching for five morn
ings near the kennels" she continued.
We first met there. don't you remem-
ber:"
81 can't remember thing about it,
exclaimed Brancaster. his head in a
whirl as he found that all that had
happened Immediately prior TO his &C
cident had vanished from his memory.
"Sir Andrew said that for some time
your memory would be confused" the
girl said.
It's bard not TO recall the FIVE best
mornings of ones life" said the young
earl. II wish the accident had bIotted
out the worst. SO that You could never
hear of them"
II do not believe all 1 have heard
said the girl.
Tell me what you've heard. and I'll
say If it's true
1--WE heard you gamble" said the
girl. In whom there was a strong
moral sense.
"At times" he confessed. when life |
seems very meaningless"
THAT you are extravagant"-
Quite right" confessed Brancaster. |
81 shall be beggar some day and die |
in the gutter and serve me quite right"
That's not worthy! exclaimed Lady |
Diana. IF you see you were wrong
there's time to 20 right And you
should GO
your hand has given me new life."
he said.
claimed. Couldn't you in the fu
ture"-
A wild. new hope pervaded the
and stepped toward her.
as that your wish:' he asked
'Indeed-from my heart said this
young girl. looking him straight in the
eyes.
Then tie past does not make you
utterly despise me-" he continued
.Of course not" she said at only
makes me sad. 1t all seems pity"
Gould your pity ever be akin to-
ITO hope? 1t is that now"
The fearless gaze of the "cleanest
In all England" inspired
Brancaster. moment he drew closer
20 her-closer than either realized.
Their hands touched. He felt her
warm breath on his eyes and hair.
and hopefully. yet fearfully,
le went on:
"And If hope were justihed-if you
Jaw that a man could shake off the
past retrieve - repair - hold up his
read and come to you with clean hands
md a clean heart-would you let him
Jay TO you
The sudden entrance of a servant
nut an end to what was in his heart
md mind.
Mrs. D'Aquila." announced the me-
hal.
Brancaster shrugged angry Shout
iers.
You'd rather be Alone" suggested
lady Diana
"Yes. and / shall be In a few mo-
nents," answered Brancaster.
It'll come to you when you are"
aid Lady Diana and was gone. i
A moment later Mrs. D'Aqnila was
.dvancing toward him with outstretch-
d hands.
Sab, dear Hubert" she exclaimed
nd then stopped short as she saw that
lie took almost invoIuntarily a few
,ackward steps from her. What Is