The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-03-15
AARON BLAIR'S ATONEMENT.


tage, but across the lawn, round Dy
the lattice windows, and SO on 10 the
back OF the cottage, the two friends
following. and Toss bringing up the
rear. Here they came upon large
cleared space, Uttered with sawdust
and shayings, and great wooden
shed looking like workshop. In
front OF the door was carpenters
bench, covered with tools, nails,
screws. and so on. and before II, care
fully planning board, was the figure
OF road-shouldercd middle-aged
man, with sunburnt face and griz-
zled hair, whose shirt-sleevcs were
rolled up above the elbows OF pair OF
muscular arms. Hearing the sound
OF footsteps he looked up. revealing IA
good forehead. straight blunt features,
"a square chin. rather hard mouth.
ana a pair OF quick dark eyes. He
glanced rapidly and comprehensively
from the girl to the two figures that
followed her.
well. Lily--welI, The said, "what
Is IL ?"
These gentlemen have lost their
way. father" explained the girl.
"rheir way ? Which is their way
Where are they going
He still seemed 20 address the girl;
but owen took. the question To himself.
I'VE ought 10 be going 10 Upper
Datchlng," he said; "but l am afraid
that is exactly what we are not doing.
you are not. You should have
taken the other turning at the top OF
the road. This will lead you entirely
out OF your way"
Just what told your put in
Alleyn admonishingly.
..Nell. know" admittc | Owen, In
the same tone. MAY ! ask how far
1t is 10 Upper DAtching p
From tho point where you went
wrong as nearly six miles as posi-
ble.m
1.-The dickens" exclaimed Owen
with n groan ''as far rs that?"
Quite as far ms that. | see you
have been fishing. gentlemen. Any
sportP"
Not bite. Never had such an
experienced " hen did we get TO the
stream. GEORGE? Nine o'clock this
morning-and stuck 10 1t until nearly
four without n nibble. Never was
such luck!"
"Ah, you can hardly expect much
sport on such hot day "a this! !
took day at ii last weelS-whcn was
IT, Lilly?"
''Last Wednesday. father
"Ah--last Wednesday. Good mug
gy sort OF day, with a sprinkle OF rain
now and then-you remember, per.
hapsp That's The weather for bites
| brought hoGe IA fine basket, though
! say It." He had put down the plane
upon the bench and was looking with
an expression of critical pleasure ut
tho fine trout rod which Alleyn held.
Choose a good day, sir. and you will
not fail with rod like that. if you
know anything OF fishing at all. It's
beauty But n broiling day like
this doesn't give it chance"
ut has given us n pretty fair chance
OF getting roasted, said owen. with
laugh, .and OF dying OF thirst into
the bargain eh. George
The remark was suggestive certain
iy but. after such day and such a
tramp, IL was perhaps cxcusable. The
man. perhaps because he was an en-
thusius.ic fisherman, took the hint
readily
III you and your friend are not in
any hurry, sir he said. addressing
Owen. ''pcrhaps you'll stay and take
glass OF ale and u sandwich. It's
thirsty weather. and you've good
long tramp To Upler Daching yet"
''You are very kind-I'm sure we are
very much obliged" replied Owen,
sincerely grateful, and taking no no
tice OF Alleyn's reluctant face. 81
hope you'll let rs know whom we have
the pleasure OF thanking?'
"My name Is Aaron Blair, was the
somewhat curt answer; but indeed the
whole manner OF the man. although
pleasant in blunt way, was yet un-
polished abrup. and gruff leave
your tn kle and things here, gentle
mon-theyll be quite safe. Lilly, my
girl. 60 and see 10 things a bit, will
you? This way, II you please
Lilly. with nod at her father and
with Toss behind her, disappeared
through doorway into what looked
like red-tiled scullcry: while the
two friends followed their host round
tho house the way they had come 10 q
side door overhung with scented
mass OF clematis and jasmine. Mr..
Blair quietly turning down his shirt
sleeves and buttoning the wristbands
as ic lead the way. He ushcrcd them