The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1888-06-23

and his thoughts had borne him far
away. He saw the garden Of his vast
mansion at Grosvenor Square. and on
the lawn two little girls who were
playing with joyous cries. One. tot
tering on her baby legs, tried to run
after the largest, and cried "Maud!
Maudl" Then the eldest stopped,
came to her sister, and. seated on the
grass, took her on her knees and, al
ready playing the mamma. kissed the
little things blonde head. And he,
still young, widower hardly two
years, viewed this charming spectacle
with tender heart. He promised
himself to live exclusively for these
two adorable beings, and. in spite OF
numerous temptations, never TO re-
marry. He had done so, and in COM
plete quiet, free from cares and sor-
rows, the two children had grown up.
They were now two young ladies, and
their father, who had sacrificed him.
self for them. was going TO realize the
dream OF his life-to see them mar
ried. mothers in their turn, and repose
his old age in the gentle bosom of a
new family. Oh. the fine projects, the
sweet dreamsl How quickly had they
persisted!
Suddenly the tableau changed and
the Marquis saw the park of Dunloe.
And before the eyes of the Marquis
appeared Stenio's brown face with its
blazing eyes and its forehead illumin-
ed with inspiration.
How many times during the last
three years had this noble countenance
haunted the old mans mind! He re-
garded IL as the smiling and diaboli-
cal face of tad angel. oh, what a
wrong this Marackzy had done him.
And how could he ever atone foi it,
Wounded pride and broken heart
The man and the father had been as
sailed with equal cruelty. Often he
had said TO himself: elf he should
some day fall into my power TO what
atrocity could subject him that would
atone for what have sufferedg'
But this coveted day had never
seemed near. Stenio was brilliant,
powerful and happy. Everything sue
ceeded with him. He had, in fact,
risen to level with him who disdain-
ed him, and was worthy 10 be the SON.
in-law OF descendant of one of the
heroes OF the Conquest. The Marquis
hated him only the more for this, and
TO his rancor was added the regret OF
having badly judged him. For steal
ing his daughter he would have killed
him; for becoming worthy Of her he
would have tortured him. He sup
pressed sob, closed the window to
shut OUT the doleful sound, and with
clouded brow stood tremblingly
awaiting his visitor.
At the same moment heavy step
shook the stairway between the decks,
and the door was opened by the mas
ter of the crew. In the shadow the
tall figure OF Marackzy was vaguely
prolled.
The Marquis made gesture, the
sailor bowed, and Stenio entered.
The two men remained an instant
face TO face, looking steadfastly at
each other as if each studied in the
countenance OF the other the effect of
his grief. The Marquis was very pale
and his wan lips We're curled with a
bitter smile. Marackzy was thin,
STOPPING, and his eyes were swollen
with weeping. Without uttering "a
word Lord Mellivan made sign TO
Stenio to approach, and, standing up
in order not TO be Obliged TO offer him
seat, he awaited what he had TO say.
The great artist inclined his head and,
calmly, as IL the words panied him in
issuing from his contracted throat, ne
said:
81 thank you, my Lord, for consent
ing to receive me. You already know
the painful motive that brings me.
come here as a suppliant, come with
cIasped hands to ask your pardon for
your daughter"
"Your wife," interrupted the old
man in hard voice.
Trembling with emotion Stenio con-
tinued:
FOR her whom as child you called
Maud and whom you loved, Forget
that she bears my name and remember
that she has borne yours. Don't rea-
son with me or argue with yourself.
Let your heart alone decide. Ii she
were strong and well you might assail
her, but she is feeble, she suffers---a
cruel word would kill her. BE gener-
Gus; think not of your griefs. 1t Is no
longer the hour, alas, TO punish; IL Is
the hour 90 absolve. One retains no
hardness of heart for the dying"
"Is il true, then. that she is in dan
gerY' asked the old man, with an an
guish that he tried TO dissimulate.
IF she were not would be here?"
asked Stenio. quietly.
"This, then, is what You have donew
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