Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-06-30

Tor the OrSC time LDdI the DG0tS were
low and that they were alone.
mo; it's early" he replied unbIush.
ingly. Don't 20 yet. You'll have
plenty Of time to sleep after I leave
you"
\ She stayed, against her Judgment
She told herself that she would leave
him in a few minutes. He had not
mentioned love, but she felt the strong
undertow of 1t through all his turbid
speech. When at last she broke away
from him it was to lie the night
through in vivid wakefulness.
For Ralston the night was filed with
the stress of emotion. The one Won,
an in the world for him was In the
section across the aisle. and be had TO
face the fact that he was bound to an.
other. Two years before. in that utter
| loneliness of soul that comes to men in
exile, he had met Major RemingtOn's
| daughter and had asked her to marry
! him. She had neither accepted nor
rejected him, but when she left for
| the States three months later there
had been an understanding between
! them that he was to seek her out and
renew his suit when he came back 10
| America. He had been detained in the
! Philippines longer than lie had expect,
ed. but he was now on his way to her.
They were both up early from a
sleepless night and they drifted to
gether again inevitably.
Presently they were climbing the
mountain side. with two engines in
front and another behind to push The
woman could see the burning misery
there passed the subtle sense OF some
alien force which divided them.
you are not marriedY' she asked
him suddenly.
mo, 1 am not-married"
"You mean that
A reckless bitterness welled up in
him. you may congratulate me. I
am probably on my way to be mar
RED"
Her level eyes fixed him. They were
both very white.
Probably. you say. Don't you
known
There was a provisional engage
ment It was understood that was
to offer myself again when returned"
"And you do not love her? So much
your tone implies"
II never loved but the one woman.
have played at love with others"
She shivered. at is horrible. You
must not do that. You have no rightv
Sometimes a man has signed away
his right to do right" he answered
steadily. ct thought it all out last
night, and I shall live up to the letter
OF my agreement"
A brakeman passed through the car
calling; Next stop La Juntai Change
cars for Pueblo. Denver Colorado
Springs and all points north OF therer'
The train slackened speed. Jared
down to a halt. He rose and looked
down on her with dumb, anguished
eyes. He did not kiss her; he did not
even touch her hand.
Whatever happens. want you TO
remember that 1 never loved but the
,ne woman"
She answered, 81 shall remember,
Robert"
Ralston swung from the car into a
collision with Lieutenant Hasbrough
# the Seventh infantry.
II say, my man, be little careful
veil, where did you drop from, Rails
on?
Wasn't 1t at Samar / saw you last
r was it Talaos? You were doing 4
icture of a burning Gugu village
lang it. but I'm glad to see you,
Where you bound for-Denver? just
anne down from there-been attending
AN Remington's wedding--'member
daughter Of Major Rem
igton of Bells brigade"
Ralston's pulse hammered He grip
ed the lfeutenant's arm with a clutch
Ike steel. Whose wedding did you
iy?" he demanded.
Hasbrough eyed him curiously. but
laid his excitement TO a
ngering touch of the island fever.
uietly he extricated his arm. Miss
IN Remington-I say, Ralston. you
'edn't grow so enthusiastic. I'm not
e groom
You're sure?"
Sure I'm not the groom?" laughed
e lad.
No; sure of the wedding. There's
possibility of any mistake. IS
are?"
The lieutenant roared: Mistake?
ess not! Why, hang it, l stood up
tn the man-Jenkins OF the artillery.
u must remember him.
ialston climbed up the steps down
ich he had just come. The car con-
ctor barred his way.
This isn't the Denver train, sir. It's
the other track"
ialston laughed happily, let 1t
y there. I'm not looking for it" 81
oh. thought you said began the
picked official.
Said, Great streaks of thunder.
MS liable to say anything, There's
tariff on changing your mind since Z,
1T the country, is there? I'm go
to Chicago"
nd Rflston smilingly spun the con-
tor out Of the way and re-entered
N.