The diamond drill., 1888-12-22

security debt FOR a friend in whom he re-
posed implicit confidence, but who, on
the very day the obligation fell due, de-
parted for regions unknown, leaving Mr.
Gray to pay IL.
In their poverty, plucky Miriam.
whose parents had taught her that labor
is honorable, wrote TO her uncle out
West. and he secured the school in his
district for her. She made her home
with him, and was winning laurels rs n
teacher. To-day her pupils had present.
ed TO her a beautiful gold pen, and she
had given them treat" without the
"locking OUT they had laughingly
threatened. Now the last shout had
ceased 10 echo in her ears, and weeks
vacation would be hers 20 enjoy. She
had sent a check for fifty dollars TO her
parents with her regrets that they
could not spend the holidays together as
at every previous Christmas OF her life.
ut seems so cruel, she wrote, "that
John Vance should have abandoned you
in the heartIess way he did, and that
Will should ignore me, as II his fathers
treachery were not enough to bear"
Miriam and Will had been aclnowl-
edged lovers from childhood, but after
their trouble he never came near 20 say
that he was sorry, or offer Mr.. Gray the
least assistance. Miriam never saw him
but once, and then he passed her with
averted face. lie and his proud mother
could still enjoy their princely home,
while she and her parents must live in
poverty for their sakes. To be sure,
Mrs. Vance had sent daintily perfumed
note, saying she bitterly regretted IL all,
but made no offer TO ever try to make
amends.
As Miriam sat thinking Of il ALL the
chime of sleigh-bells rang out, and soon
a beautiful cutter drawn by two hand.
some bay horses, came into view and
stopped before the school-house door.
She recognized the driver as Leslie
Harris whose farm adjoined that Of her
Uncle. He had come West ten years
before, taking a homestead and timber
claim. and now possessed one OF the
most beautiful farms in Southwestern
Nebraska. He admired the beautiful
little school ma a'am, and had been her at
tendant at the entertainments OF the
neighborhood. Tonight he was to ac-
company her TO party, and had driven
By 10 take her home.
Miriam douned her wraps, locked the
school-house door, and was soon seated
IA the sleigh with the warm buffalo
rohos carefully tucked around her.
They made n long circuit, the fence
less prairies enabling them to drive
at will, save where yawning
canon interposed. Miriam's cheeks were
flushed. her brown eyes sparkled with
pleasure, and Leslie thought he had
never seen anything half 80 sweet as her
animated face.
Were TO have sensation tonight,
Miss Miriam," he said, "a regular city
swellhead. The girls are all wild TO see
him, and fear we rural greenhorns will
be ignored in the presence OF so distin-
guished person"
"Do you know his namel" asked
Miriam.
"No, / only heard that he is Mrs.
Turner's nephew from New York. and
very wealthy"
"Simply because he's from New York
and is wealthy is not 20 me any assur-
ance of merit" she replied. Il too was
the petted child OF wealth in New York
City once. Why, only n year ago to-
night my fathers mansion was ablaze
with light and our parlors were filled
with the elite OF Fifth Avenue, who
crowded around me with fawning words
of adulation. But when, few days
later. my father was called TO pay, with
mis- entire fortune, n security obligation
for false friend. these same ilatterers
became walking icebergs, whose frigid-
ity congealed every approach TO faini-
liarity.
For the sake of my parents regret
the loss OF our wealth, but for myself,
| rejoice TO have proven the sincerity OF
real friends, the falsity Of pretended ones.
In my little school l am monaph OF all
| survey would rather clasp the
horny hand Of my toil-worn old uncle
than the soft one Of any falsc devotee
OF style. People all know I'm only a
school ma'am, I'm enjoying the fruits OF
Independence. My friends are very apt
10 be sincere"
Miss Miriam, you are indeed typical