The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1888-08-04
Ada.
BY X. X. GRANT.

Tho summer that i left old Vas
sar's" classic shades. crowned will
honors and flushed with triumph, ia
Their was boarding at Mrs Elliott's
indeed he had lived there for years.
while was pursuing my studies in the
north. He was a widower OF fine
physique and ample fortune. with nc
Membranes save me. his only child
Eunicc Grey.
Mrs Elliotrs boarding house was.
unlike the typical one. elegant In all
Its appointments. with corps of we'll.
trained servants. and mistress that
would have graced the home of the
most fastidious connolsseur OF femi-
nine beauty and worth. We became
fast friends at once--this petite bru-
nette aud myself TO her invalid
child ! was no less strongly attached
i wondered often why the mother was
always robed Ia the deepest mourn
Ing. That she was widow / knew;
but that her bereavement was Of no
recent date | had learned by chance.
from the little one who. in mentioning
her father. told me quantity she had
never known him, that he had gone up
70 God before the fairies gave her to
her mamma
asked ms father II he could solve
tho yexations mystery of those sable
garments
"Oh, YES" he answered. IL believe
] can. Ii Is but the fancy OF loving
woman's heart that sees In the sOmbre
hucs reflex OF the grief that knows
no solace. Seven years ago her hus-
band persisted IN storm that
wrecked the pleasure Yacht i'm
which they were cruising. She herself
escaped death by the miraculous
interpos ton OF Providence. being
caught by passing steamers crew
rs she dr1fted by them clinglng to a
broken plank. She was carried aboard.
hut lost consciousness. as the rough
but kindly hands drew her from her
watcry bed. For months she lay i'll.
nigh 10 death. her mind blank. When
at length tho skill of the experts in the
Retreat for tho Insane TO which she
had been conveyed effected the restor-
alton OF reason. she learned through
the columns of an old Herald that she
alone survived that fearful gale. A
few weeks lator newborn babe lay
upon her bosom. Miles from the
scene OF tho difnsler. in strange land,
little Ada was born. Mrs. Elliott
docs not know. rs do. that official
stnpidity--or carelcssness--had report
cd her death some three days after her
husband :. The occupant OF the bed
next hers in the Insane Pavilion hav-
ing died, and the name odly enough
being the same as her own. IL was I'M
medintely taken for granted that tho
deceased was the victim OF tho yacht
disaster.
THE northern climate was not suit
cd to Ada's delicate constitution. For
this reason Mrs Elliott came south
and opened small select boarding
house for tho maintenance OF herself
and little one. SO popular did this be-
come under her management that she
was cmboldeued by tho success OF her
humble beginning to remove to this fine
dwelling. And you SEQ what she nc
complsbed here.
"She was my first love. EunIce.
Years before | met your mother.
knew and loved Edith Lattlmer; but
she gave hor hand and heart TO my
chum, George Elliott. aud | went
my way with sorrow for my loss. and
gladncss FOR tho happiness Of the two
so dear TO me. would make her my
wifo now; but she 10 true 10 the mem
DRY OF her husband. and frankly saws
that no Que can ever be as dear to her
as he. IL Us sad. this linking on-'s
self with those that are gone; but ii Is
Ike woman's consistency; and l am
not the man 10 press suit know Is
vain"
After hearing this recital believe
loved Mrs Elliot moro Than ever. 4
certainly felt deeper sympathy for her
gr Of. Her devotion TO her child was
touching In tho extre me. The little
creature--a cripple from bIrth--seemcd
too fragile for this earth. Her deep
blue eyes looked out wsifully Mt one
from amidst mass of fluffy golden
curls. SopatIent. so loving. who could
help being drawn towards herr was
with her day after day. reading soma
bright tale. or talking 10 her OF tho
birds. the flowers aud the bright blue
sky; but bost OF all she loved to hear