Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-02-04

age. Nor was this all. That which
was stealing over it was not only age,
but Sagreeable age. Anne Church,
or. rather, her likeness was being
slowly transformed into an old womr
All, bedizened with jewels and wear
ing on her face the expression OF
bag.
Major Varick. who was passing into
slumber. made an effort such as one
would make to throw of a nightmare
and awakened. The candle had been
nearly consumed. but was still burn
ing with a steady flame. To his hor-
ror the change that had come over the
picture was not the result Of night
mare. There were the innocent fea,
lures, but they were blended with the
Hneaments OF a coarse. crafty. covet-
Gus old woman OF a German cast
Varick knew that Anne. through her
mother. had German blood in her
veins. He assumed an explanation of
the phenomenon OF the picture-an ex-
PLANTATION such as one Is liable to make
on awakening after midnight and ly-
ing alone. To him it seemed as If his
guardian angel was giving him a
warning. He was being shown what
the woman he was about to marry
would be when she became old.
This idea, once IL found Judgment
In Varick's head. took a hold there
that would be impossible for it to at
tain under the influence Of a bright
sunlight There was more supersti-
ton in those days, even among the
most intelligent, than there h now.
and Varick was himself more or less
subject to 1t
Major VarIck was seized with as
veritable panic as ever entered the
breast of a raw recruit on the field of
battle. For a few moments he con-
templated escaping from the house and
ingloriOusly absenting himself from the
ceremony In which he was TO be one
OF the contracting parties. But the
duration OF the thought can scarcely
be called d few moments; it was rath-
er instantaneous The face OF the COM
mander in chief. who would in a few
hours be on his way TO the wedding.
came up before him, regarding him
sternly, even CONTEMPORARY. The
young man withdrew his gaze from
bedclothes.
He could not sleep. and he dare not
look again on that vampire face lest
he bring disgrace upon himself One
more look. however. he took. The can
die was fiickering in the socket, casting
d ftful glare on the blended faces Of
sanity youth and the devil In age. the
latter OF which now seemed to take on
a malicious triumph
a faint dawn appeared through the
windows before Varick slept. He was
awakened by knock at the door and
a negro calling:
Hot water TO Shawn, Mars Major.
Missy Church tole me to tell yo'
courier just come from Morristown
with a note from Mars Washington
/ sayIn' dat he be heah at 'leben O'clock
! It's 10 new"
Varick sprang out OF bed While
dressing he looked at the picture of
! his bride and wondered what could
have caused the vision OF the night
before. Not trace of the bag was
there, only the fresh and innocent
beauty whom he was to marry that
day. A flush OF shame at his thought
Of fight during the night came over
him and of thanEfulness that 1t had
only been thought All fear that his
bride would grow to be the creature
she had appeared In the vision had left
him.
He found time during the morning
to speak to his father-in-law-to-beo Of
the nights experience.
! What" exclaimed Mr.. Church do
you mean that that picture got into
your roomf | ordered it long ago put
in the garrett Either a fool or some
one with malicious intent must have
moved it The original picture was
the portrait of one OF those old hags
whom George l.. took over from Han
over with him to London. They lived
only to plumber the British people.
This woman was a cousin Of my wife's
mother. A travelling artist about six
years ago came through here and paint
ed over the original picture a portrait
of Anne. 1t is well known In this
household that when a light strikes the
canvas at a certain angle it shows a
blending of the two portraits. | shall
inquire into this matter, and whoever
is responsible for 1t shall be punished II
At this moment Anne burst into the
room, wild with excitement. and ex.
claimed:
His excellency General Washington
is coming down the road with his aid
Colonel Hamilton. I've been watching
for him and was the first TO see him
They are riding into the grounds now
, Come; we must be on the porch to re-
, ceive hmP
, That was gala day in Anne Church's
, life. but she was obliged to divide with
. the general in chief the attention oil
those who crowded her home. he in
, tended TO remain only for the ceremo
, ny In the afternoon, but was persuaded
to stay fer the festivities IN the even
, ing When the guests were assembled
IN the ballroom the general opened thi
, dance With the bride
Feb. 4 in American