The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-01-20

her companion and wished she could

know what was on his mind.
The light wine she drank affected
hera little. She wondered Just how
he felt toward her. The late intimacy.
had been 90 sweet to her, in her
loneliness. Her marriage had been
such q nightmare. Might not her
money count in her favor to Offset
those extra yoars? II only Jerry
were her own age! Could time be
bridged over 50 he would notice no
difference between them?
She expected and felt that the az
fair would eliminate tonight A
slight snow had fallen during the
evenings As the big machine bowled
slowly homeward Lazelle felt the
nearness OF her companion. Some
how, tonight he had been unusually
silent for one Of his temperament.
Always with her he had been SO
keen in conversation.
Stepping out to the curb, the wo-
mans foot slipped and for a moment
her weight rested in Jerry's arms.
She bent her head and looked deeply
into his eyes. The man smiled back
in an absorbed. fashion ard gently
pushed her into the house. Again
they enerted the long drawing room
where the logs were always burn
ing. Lazelle drew her chair near
the fire and Jerry found a low stool
and placing it at her feet sat him
self upon it.
Dear lady, I want to tell you
something and ask you q question.
Perhaps ! haven't been interesting
tonight. Maybe / shouldn't have
forced my company upon you. The
WHOLE truth is that l am in love-"
Eazelle felt the red blood pound
from her head to her exquisite feet.
She softly pressed the hand resting
on her knee.
you SEE. I feel 60 near you and
trust you So that I can talk freely
with youA You have been so kind to
me.
"The little girl love is poor, and
SO ami. We have to wait. She you'd
thank you for making my waiting
easier for me, know. Would you let
me bring her here, some day, to see
you, and feel your kindness and re-
finement as I do?"
He had not noticed the little
tenseness that came over Lazelle's
body; but he turned to look at her.
His listeners head was thrown
back against the leather back Of the
chair. Her face was white and
Aren't you well? Is anything the
matter" asked the youug man solic-
itously.
Just a little faintness. All right
now" was the whispered answer.
Mother used to have such SPELLS.
I'm so sorry"
Lazelle drew her hand away and
got to her feet. This time she
walked away from the mirror. Her
reflection no longer tempted her.
Back and forth several time she
paced, then she turned to the wait
ing youngster.
Il want to hear all about it. Bring
ner here tomorrow afternoon. I'll
do what I can for you. l need a
girl for company. Can she be my
guest until your-unttlE"
You're . dear Laxelle. knew
you would be just such asbrick. l
can be married soon now, / hone.
We will loV you forever for all this.
She touched his hair tendsrly.
I'm do the be,E l can, Jerry.
Please excuse me now. feel a bit
weary
why Of coulee, vas thought
less. Until tomorrow, dear lady,
Good night Sweet dreams"
As she climbed the stairs Lazelle
was thankful that she had besh
spared the shame ofhis knowledge
Of her heart.
Closing the heavy door behind
him. Jerry regretted that so beauti-
ful . woman showed advancins
years, and with all . youths cour-
age faced his own bright future with
. smile