The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1888-02-18

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have a man with squint for Valen-
tine during the whole year"
"Of course 1t would" she acquiesced,
with great gravity and solemnity.
"And then, he wouldn't give you
anything"
mo"
"He couldn't"
"And it is customary for the gentle
man favored with first glance from
his lady's bright eyes to give her a
giftY"
"Yes."
"All he could offer would be his
milk-pails."
jack"
Well, dear child, he does not look
as though he possessed much else OF
this worlds goods"
- Indeed he doesn't !"
"My offering will be a tritie better
than that, think"
IL am sure It will be. And oh,
Jack! | long to see all those queer
things you have brought me from the
East"
Your longing will be gratifod to-
morrow, Dolly"
:" hope go, and l shall be sure not
TO look at anyone else"
And she remained in her room the
next morning, and wouldn't have the
blinds put up until her old nurse came
and told her that young Mr. bingham
had arrived with whole cart load OF
funny things
And funny things" indeed they
proved to be when brought To light
from the depths OF the great chest in
which they had come from the East.
Filmy muslins, studded with silver
stars, delicately- chased bangles, ex-
quisite brass work. figures of queer,
fat little Indian gods, with many feet
and hands. uncut rubies, n whole box
full OF milky looking moonstones,
tigers claws, bracelets from TIE hair
of the elephants tail, some beautiful
filigree ornaments from Cashmere,
soft uncrushable silks, a valuable ram
poor chuddah. and even "kinkob,"
more precious than all.
IL was regal costly Offering at the
shrine OF Love. but Bingham had his
pay as lieutenant in the Navy and
liberal allowance from his father, who
had property Of his own besides the
fat living OF Hadlow, 50 Jack had been
well able to indulge his fancy for buy
ing costly presents where With to please
the woman he loved.
OF the livestock. Dorothy decidedly
refused to accept the cheetah. as being
an animal rather difficult 10 depend on
and manage; but she was delighted !
with the monkey, who looked very
smart in bright red cap and jacket,
and with the rainbow plumagcd birds.
Jack had managed 10 get her some
mango birds, but only one lived TO
reach England, and he looked sadly
like little round ball OF
orange feathers.
III am afraid he won't live, Jack"
said Dorothy sorrowfully, looking at
the wee mite.
III am afraid not. This climate is
too cold for them"
"And he is Just the one I want TO
live. l prize him more than all the
others"
wen, htNti hilhh, boiOtHls Il Will
get you another pair when I 90 out
there again., said Jack consolingly.
And then he found il the hardest !
thing In all his life TO stand like "A
stock or stone while her little hands |
clasped his arm, and her soft lips |
touched his cheek, and she called him
her "own boy" her dear, dear Jack"
IL was hard terribly hard. not to
turn and kiss that sweet mouth SO
near his own, 10 crush down the love
that surged In his heart, and made his |
pulses throb heavily, TO stife the eager
words that rose TO his lips.
In the wild delight of that moment I
the young man forgot all the anguish /
he had suffered since he heard of her
engagement, almost forgot all his good (
resolutions. He longed desperately to
take her in his arms, TO hold her 90 his
heart and call her MY love, my wifel'
But he dared not--he must not. IL
would be dishonourabIe to breathe one
word of love TO the promised wife of
another man.
With a half-stined sigh he turned
away, and picking up many handed.