The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1888-02-11

BY ASSABEL DWIGHT.


city which was so strange TO her.
Where should she goP
Who would give help and advice In
this terrible calamity
She had read OF houses Of refuge for
friendless women. but she. little
country wild bird knew Of no way TO
find them.
How intent seemed the passers-by on
their own business or pleasure!
How ike mockery the burst of gay
dance music from GIFTED halt
How terrible the ribald jokes, and
oaihs. and coarse laughter further on
A week before. in far away country
village. she had stood by her fathers
death bed while the old. white-haired
minister had rs he thought. joined her
In honorable marriage to the man OF
her fathers choice.
This man. Walter Rodman. was an
acquaintance OF year-be had been
associated with her father In business.
and he seemed everything that was
honorable aud noble.
Little Ruth---she was only seventeen
did not love him. she simply liked
him; but gave in at last to the combin.
cd cntreaties OF both men; and so the
ceremony was performed, and the
father. satisfied now that his otherwise
friendless child was not without a pro-
tector. drifted over the dark river
whose waves break on a brighter
shore
A forlorn little bride was she when
Walter Rodman brought her to the
great city.
She wondered drearily how he could
care anything for her.
He took her to his apartments In a
quiet fumly hotel. aud there terrible
surprise awaited them in the shape OF
woman. who calmly asserted that she
was the wife OF Walter Rodman.
Unmindful alike of RHth's horror and
the mans anger, she produced her
proofs, a marriage certificate dated
two years back. ring bearing his ini-
tials. some letters and his picture.
Rodman seemed utterly upset by her
charges and made no attempt to refute
them.
He made dazed effort to detain
Ruth rs she ran out OF the room. but
she was too quick for him. and was out
Of the house into the noisy city streets.
with shame and horror burning in her
heart.
From sheer WEAKNESS her speed
slackcned as she neared the outskirts
OF The city.
There was no moon; the tars gilt
tered coldly in the dark vault above.
Ruth began TO sob nervously.
10 what terrible pass had she come;
she, who had been so tenderly shell
tered all her innocent life.
The sow Of merry whistle cut
through the air, an d dark. burly fig
ure doomed before her.
A man was adv ancing with the pecu-
liar rolling swagger Of a sailor.
Alloy. therel'' he cried. the whistle
ceasing abruptly rs he caught sight of
Rulh's slender figure.
''You' re little craft-whcre do you
hail fromP"
The trembling girl essayed to pass
him. but he detained her gently.
Don't be afraid OF me. little lass.
I'm not a dude in my manners, but /
wouldn't harm any innocent thing,
Come. now. tell Jim Farlee what your
trouble is. You're too young to be
running about o. nights"
Ruth searched the mans face with
her tear-wet eyes.
He was sun-browned and rather line
looking. He had crisp. curling brown
hair. short thick beard on chin and
lips. and his dark eyes were merry and
honest.
Some instinct prompted Ruth to con
iide IN him which she did. falterlngly
and with many tears
Her listener rolled out hearty oath
at the end of her story, and then
added.
Don't mind my rough ways. little
nm. But blast me. II wouldn't larrop
that lubbcr II ! could get hold OF him.
You want honest workP Let me .think
--are you good saIlorp"
Ruth confessed that she had never
seen the salt water before that day.
well well. Wen risk Ill I'm mate
OF the Petrol. and we shall sail to- NOR
row morning II there's fair wind.
W. oorrv oaaoauoora aud ,,,oroi,ood;so