Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-07-29
CHAPTER XIII.
EIi1a's Feelinas Chanee.

H
" phase with intenSest interest
but when ut last she knew that
the battle was won she experienced
peculiar revuIsion OF feeling. So long
as O'NeiI had been working against
odds, with the prospect OF ruin and
failure forever imminent, she had felt
an almost painful sympathy, but now
that he had conquered she felt timid
about Congratulatiug him. He was no
longer to be 3itied and helped. He had
attained his goal and the fame he long
Cd Tor. His success would inevitably
take him out oc her life. She was very
sorry that he needed her no longer.
She did not watch the last bridge
member swung, but went TO her room
and tried TO face the future. Spring
was here: her book was finished; there
was the need TO take up her life again.
She vas surprised when Murray
came to md Der.
Il missed ycu Eliza" he said The
others are all down at the river bank.
want you to congratulate me"
She saw. with a jealous twinge. that
exultatfon over his victory had over
come his WEAKNESS. that his face was
aHCht with a Ere she had never before
seen. BE seemed young. vigorous and
masterful once more.
"Of course" he went on. the credit
belongs TO Parker. who worked the
bridge out in each detai}-he's marvel
ous-and to MelIen. who actually built
it. but l helped little. Praise to me
means praise to them"
1t is all over now, isn't ft?'
practically. Blaine has cabied New
York that we've won. Strictly spea <
ing we haven't as yet, for there's still
the breakup to face But the bridge
will come through it without a scratch
The ice may go out any minute now.
and after that I can rest He smiled
ar her gladly. 1T will feel good to get
rid OF all this responsibility. won't it
think you've suffered under it as
much as I have"
A little wfstfully she answered:
You're going TO realize that dream
You told me about the day of the
storm at Kyak. You have conquered
this great country-as you dreamed"
He acquiesced eagerly, boyishly.
Yes Whirring wheels, a current OF
traffic. a broad highway of steel-that's
the sort of monument | want to leave"
Some time III come back and see it
all completed and tell myself that 1
had little part in making it.
Come backE' he queried. Why,
you're going TO stay till we're through,
aren't you
..Oh. no. I'm going south with the
spring fight-on the next boat per
haps."
His face fell; the exultant light grad
ualIy faded from his eyes.
why / had no idea! Aren't you
happy here:"
She nodded. But l must try to
make good in my work as you have in
yours"
He was looking at her sorrowfulIy,
almost as if she had deserted him
That's too bad. butt suppose you
must go. Yes, this is no place for you.
l dare say other people need you to
bring sunshine and joy to them just
as we old fellows do, but-I've never
thought about your leaving. 1t would
not be right TO ask you to stay here
among such people as we are when
5ou have so much ahead Of you. Still.
will leave a gap. Yes. it certainly
wiIl-Ieaye a gap"
She longed desperately to tell him
how willingly she would stay if he
only asked her, but the very thought
shocked her into a deeper reserve.
I'm going east to sell my book" she
said stifiy. You've given me the eli
max of the story in this race with the
easOns."
rs it a-love story" he asked
Eliza flushed. Yes. It's mostly
love"
You're not at all the girl I thought
you were when we first met You're
very-diferent. I'm sure l won't rec
ognize myself as the hero. Who-Or
what is the girl in the story?"
We'll. she's just the kind of girl that
would appeal to a person like you
She's tall and dark and dashing, and,
Of course, she's remarkably beautiful.
She's very feminine too"
Whats her Manner
Miss Appleton stammered, WHY
called her Niolet-until ] could think
Of a better
What's wrong with Violet? You
couldn't think of a better name than
that I'm fond Of it
"Oh, it's a good book name. but for