Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-13

pay for trousseau. This was eSna
cially pleasing TO her. for nature ha,
not yet produced n woman who ,vorta
be Indifferent to this accessory IN ho-
marriage. Helen made iior Purchases
and went to work WITH a will in The
construction of wardrobe
Suddenly there cnrne thunderc,.,
from clear sky. Bob Bracket, -
turned from HE voyage with ena
sum of prize money. his share Of the
salvage of disabled ship that his vee-
sci had lowed into port. He burst IN
upon Helen, not knowing Of the
change that had come over her. with
the news. finishing witt the words
Now. sweetheart, let US be married
at once"
When Hunter heard OF his riyars "a
turn he went to Helen and said TO her.
II wish you to consider yourself 70.
leased and to feel perfectly free IN
marry the man who has returned T.,
you"
81 have given you my promise" was
the reply, land l will keep It"
But Hunter saw that her heart was
not in her words. He asked her tn
tell him truthfuliy whether be or the
sailor possessed it. She tried to eyade
the question, but Hunter would not
be put off. At last he forced her to
tell the truth Her heart had been
given to Bracket. and she was unable.
if she would. TO take it back again.
Hunter at once withdrew in favor Of
his rival. With an effort he succeeded
in concealing from Helen what
crushing blow had fallen upon him in
his loss One matter puzzled him.
Now that another was to be her hus-
band the fact that Hunter had been
supplying her with the wherewithall
to live, that he had deceived her in
the matter of the windfall for the
trousseau, that he held a mortgage on
her farm for all it was worth, must
come out. How should he break the
fact to her?
Hunter was n very sensitive man.
He was much broken by his disap-
pointment, and, though he had been
resolute in giving up his bride ex-
pectant, he was vacillating in the mat
ter of how to let her know that In
stead of possessing property she was
pauper. Worry made him Ill, and be
was confined to his bed.
Helen, who, importuned by the sail
or, had accepted her release and
agreed to marry Bracket before he
sailed again, went on with the prepare
tons for a wedding in which there
was to be a change of grooms. She
seemed to regret the disappointment
she had occasioned Hunter, and
Bracket in order that her break with
his rival should be complete proposed
that a transfer of the care OF her prop
erty should be made to him. Helen
reluctantly consented.
Bracket went to see Hunter. whom
he found in bed, and asked for an ac-
counting of Helens estate. Hunter
was too i'll to invent any more subter-
fuges and was obliged to make clean
breast of the matter. Bracket return
ed to Helen with the information that
she had nothing and that all she had
received had been given her by Hun
ter.
81 believe" added Bracket. that
the fellow has contrived to get your
property into his own possession"
Helen looked at him like one dazed
Then suddenly, without a word. she
went out and strobe rapidly In the
direction of Hunters house. Brackett'
who did not know what action she
would take. watched her till she haa
passed out of sight, then went into the
house to await developments.
Hunter was lying alone in his mis-
cry when suddenly the girl be loved
hurried into his, room, sank on her
knees by his bed. put her arms AROUND
him and moaned:
Forgive me-"
Renewed vigor ran through the sicA
mans weakened body. He sat up
took the girl in his arms, ana tDeFr
were caresses such as had never pass
ed between them before.
Send some one" she said presedtF'
Ito tell him to so away
An hour later Richard Hunter. WAN
ing with a tread that had received
powerful stimulus. appeared at Helen
Germans home. Bracket. whc was
awaiting Helen's return. saw him conf
ing. Having left Hunter short tins
before i'll in bed, he wondered
dread took possession Of him. Hunter
came up to him and said:
II am commissioned by MISS Do'
man to tell you that she has come "
a final decision between you ana INC
and in my favor"
Bracket was thunderstrucS nc
made no reply for some time tnen
said:
IF Miss German will say that 10 DC
or write 1t l will accept it as lns
truth"
Hunter drew bit Of paper ftoD
his pocket and handed II to the SAW
He read it, tore it into bits. turned "
his heel and left the house.
On the evening that Hunter marFle
Helen the returned sailor spent tne
prize money he had brought home u
an orgy and the next day went on ~
other voyage.
Aug. Is in American