Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-05-16

proceeded. gave me every encourage
ment. and there was good reason TO be-
lieve that her fancy for me was not
matter of worldly interest. for. while
she seemed 10 have all the money she
needed to spend. | soon made her
aware of the state of my own affairs.
nor did il change her manner toward
me one whit.
One evening we emerged from the
Cffizi gallery together and walked
slowly along the bank eof the Arno.
The lamps that light the streets on
either side OF the river had just been
lighted. and there is no more beauti-
ful city scene in the world than the
Arno banks ar the twilight hour. Car.
ried away by the surroundings. after
confesSing TO my companion briefly
how by my folly | had thrown away
a fortune. told her that had now
come TO a realization of it since my
loss deprived me Of hope Of possess.
ing her.
We had turned upon one OF the
bridges that span the river and were
looking down upon the flowing waters.
She responded that there was still
hope that we might be happy together.
That hope depended upon my abandon
ing my nomadic life. returning tn
America and settling in some business
or profession. believed that it was
too late for me to do this. but ! con-
sented to her terms.
Possibly" said. 81 might find means
of making that COMPOUNDED grandmoth-
er of mine diSgorge something of my
estate"
She smiled at my optimism and ad-
vised me to look TO the future rather
than the past. Suits to recover prop
erty left by will out of the natural
! channel We're expensive. dragged on
/ from year TO year and had bad eff,
! feet on the contestant.
! 1t is evident from this that Miss
| Beale was just the woman l needed
/ for a wife She infused into me a
l. practical common sense that no one
had ever been able to force into me
before. 1t was agreed that we should
| both return to America. where l was
| to make good my promises of reforma-
ton. and our future union was condi-
! tional upon my carrying them out
We sailed from Naples on a warm
! afternoon, when the sea breeze, tenn
| pering the heat, was delightful. Stand
ground back Of the city. Vesuvius tow:
ering on the south. Ischia in the bay
on the other flank The water. the
hue of which is ever changing. was
deep green. Filled with the beauty of
the scene. could not but repress a re-
gret that l must give up lingering in
this artistic country. as well as my
artistic instincts. | felt that but one
thing would hold me down to my prom
ises-the possession OF the girl loved.
Miss Beale told me that her home
was in New York. while mine was in
Philadelphia. l desired on arrival to
see her 10 her home. but she would
not permit It She advised me 10 go
ut once TO Philadelphia and call upon
my grandmother. who owned con-
trolling interest in the business my IA
Their had built up with view TO OBJ
tanning a position there demurred
10 this. but Miss Beale insisted upon 1t.
saying that If were unable to put
my feelings in my pocket" and avail
myself of the only chance open to me
| might as well give up the whole
matter and return to my rowing This
settled ii. and l promised to do as she
advised.
The evening after my arrival in
Philadelphia | got myself in condition
to eat humble pie by going to the
house in which | had been born to
solicit n position in the business my
father had intended | should manage.
My love alone enabled NE TO swallow
the pill rang the bell and, having
been admitted. sent up my card.
While ! waited was mentally pic
turing the woman who would come
down TO receive me fancied her to
be OF middle age. crafty looking wo-
man. thin and hony. with piercing
eyes. | hated her before saw her.
Presently heard a footstcp on the
stairs and the rustic OF skirts. When
the descending figure reached the last
step she was revealed TO my view.
was transfxed with establishment.
saw Alice Beale!
ped
lOIT ETdEuinOi4eT. Slip ShlN. SIIlll-
ing in every feature Of her face.
''You' MF"-
Yes The day yonr grandfather
died. being too far gone 10 make a
will. he married me with the under
standing that If possible was 10 he
come yonr wife. The plan had already
been arranged. promising 10 tnke
care OF your interests. provided yOu
mended your ways and became a
steadr man Since yon would not
come to me for regeneration went to
you under my maiden name Sow
that I have got you where can In.
fuenre You for your good we will do
what seems best for you."
married my Grandfather's widow
and from that time settled my affairs
as I pleased. hut always after confer.
ence with her. | did not return 10
Italy. am now manager OF the bust.
ness my father established.
Nav 10 in American