The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-03-08
AARON BLAlR'S ATONEMENT.
CHAPTER I.


A leafy lane in one OF the preitiest
OF the Midland counties lay burning
beneath the glare OF hot July sun
sun so fierce that the heavy branches
OF the trees dropped languidly<and the
grass was turning crisp and brown.
The white dust Of the lane was fine
and powdery, rising now and then In
little clouds when stirred by the faint
breeze. The water OF tho brook. half
hidden In the shadow OF the hedge.
was warm rs IL flowed lazily over the
pebbly bottom. the very stones OF
which sec ned hot too. II was "a day
for fans and ice-water. swinging In Il
hammock. or sleeping in the shade:
for reading the last most exciting
three-volume novel, or dreaming in n
cool shadowy room In the arms OF an
easily-swaylng rocking chair; n day
for anything, In short, rather than
Drawing the fierce heat and walking in
the dazzling glare OF the sun.
Two travellers came tramping along
the lane. sending little pulls OF dust
rolling family ahead OF them as they
walked, keeping shoulder 10 shoulder,
but showing evident signs OF weari-
ness. Both wore suits OF rough light
tweed and straw hats; each carried a
fishing-rod -one landing net and
fishing-can, the other a basket and
camp-stools.
The elder OF the two, who carried
by far the heavier half of the fishing
paraphernalia and who tramped along
with an air OF sturdy endurance, was
shorter, broader, palmer. more com
monplace than his companion, having
a square, sensible, good -humorcd face.
only redeemed from absolute ugliness
by the two latter characteristics and
certain air OF reliability. George Al
leyn, however, was not sensitive
about his personal appearance, and,
even in their college days, had not
enyied Owen 0rmiston, his close friend
who had been ncknamed the "beauiy"
by some Of their mutual acquaint-
ances, and who had been less
handsome then than he was
now. George, in fact, had been
rather given To laugh at his friends
long-lashed dark eyes, his curly hair,
and his bright complexion, as being
pretty enough for girl, and had made
fun OF the dainty little mustache when
II first made its appearance; had joked
too with total lack of sympathy over
his friends careful dress--almost as
perfect in its way as ballroom bellies
and held up 10 merciless ridicule
hs,
appointments which were considered
Indispensable necessi ties by that young
gentleman. But, in his shrewd. rather
sardonic way, George admired his
friend too; and, dospi e the difference
in both their characters and positions,
they were thorough friends. although
they might have drifted easily apart
and lost each other any time in the
last five years.
They had never been letter friends
in their lives than they were upon
this hot July afternoon. when they
came 10 halt in the lane by Il stile
beneath the shadow OF great tree,
and, letting their burdens fall, leaned
YEARLY against its welcome support.
They painted, sighed, stretched Thorn
selves, and then took off their hats
and wiped their damp foreheads.
by Jovc, isn't IL awful p' SAID
Owen. "Whew Did you ever feel
such n rooster in your life P'
"Never felt IL worse, certainly re-
turned Alleyn, yawning as he leaned
against tho stilc. I'VE should have
been wiser had we stopped at home
IL strikes me-"
You're right I'm half dead
know that And not single fish TO
show for it--that's the best OF the jolel
l was fool TO think they'd bite on
such a day ~ Owen grumbled, pant
ing and tanning himself with his hat
"If we had caught any, we shouldn't
have been at the trouble OF cooking
them. that's certain. The water was
on the simmer, am sure. say,
what time is IL P'
George looked at his watch.
Nearly six"
.And there's another four miles be-
fore us II there's an inch-can't be
less, can 10 ?"
about that, should say assent
ed George. Come on. Owen We
sha'n't do any good lettering here
and I'm awfully thirsty ~
Thirsty could drink pailful
And there isn't anything In the nature
OF "A pub In this forsaken place. OF
course Well. come along hope
they'll have the grace to wait dinner;
but doubt IL. y
"Why ?" Alleyn asked, picking up
the heavy basket and fishing-can.