The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-06-21

1HhOUUu n NE uOLE.
When the evening boat. quite crowd
ed with passengers. swept gracefully
up to the pier NJ Highbeach, one OF
the first TO cross the gangway was
Mr.. Willis Tracey. youngest partner of
the well-known banking firm of Tracey.
Stokes Il Tracey.
He was misunderstanding man Of
35, with fresh, healthy complexion,
clear. blue-gray eyes. and light auburn
mustache. His whole appearance was
suggestive OF good nature. prosperity,
aud content; but at the present mo-
ment he betrayed little nervousness,
as his eyes ran rapidly along the long
piazzas of the hotel. where people were
promenading and enjoying the sea-
breeze and the sight OF the bathers on
the beach.
Evidently his search was unsuccessful
until his attention was attracted by "A
voice, which called out in shrill and
juvenile tones:
..Lor'. ma. il there amt old Tracey!
What's he doin' here, | wonderP"
Looking up. the gentleman thus
prominently presented TO public notice
lifted his hat 10 two ladies. who were
smiling down upon him from the piaz-
"a, while small boy in Lord Faunt-
leroy cap and jacket, grinned a patron
izing recognition.
As he passed on. faint and con-
scious blush suifused his face. That
lovely creature with the golden locks
and rose-and-lily complexion, who had
so radiantly greeted him, was Miss
Juliette Bessamy, To whom he designed
that very evening TO offer his hand and
heart.
The blush had not quite faded from
Mr.. Tracey's face when he found him
self accosted by two ladies, who were
Just descending the hotel steps TO the
beach He stopped aud shook hands
with them in a cordial, unembarrassed
manner.
la fact, the elder of the ladies was
the widow of his deceased uncle. aud
had, since his mothers death, been liv-
ing with him and taking care OF his
house.
He had sent her TO Highbeach about
week previous, partly 10 meet Alice,
her daughter by first marriage, who
was there as companion to an invalid
lady; for Mrs. Tracey's husband had
died insolvent and left her poor.
Ii was Alice who now stood by her
mothers side, quiet and smiling, as she
gave him her hand.
why. Willis. this Is n surpriser
Mrs. Tracey said. II received your
note to-day aud did not expect you
until tomorrow"
Yes, know that | said something
about being detained by business, but
managed TO get through In time for
the evening boat. am glad to see
you looking so well. How are you
enjoying yourselves herep" he inquired,
as he held a hand OF each.
1T Is delightful now that mamma
has come" Alice answered. And il
was SO good OF YOU TO send her-in-
deed. the very kindest thing you could
have done for either OF US.
Though she spoke smilingly. her soft.
dark eyes were sufiused with tears.
aud Mr.. Traccy's heart was touched
He felt that he had not done half
enough to deserve this grateful feel
Ing.
file looked into the moistened eyes.
and wondered why they seemed to sink
before him. aud why she drew away
her hand so shyly.
Even when he had passed on, prom
Using to join them presently on the
beach, he found himself specializing ON
this new expression on Alice's face.
IL was sweet. fair face. which he
had liked aud admired ever since he
had FIRST known her as little school
girl.
He had been accustomed to treat
her almost as cousin, layishing upon
her books aud flowers and birthday
and Christmas presents; but to-day,
after long absence. he had discovered
something new and strange about her.
aud now Il dawncd upon him that she
was no longer mere schoolgirl. but
woman grown--alrhost 20 years OF
age. la fact. Ii was something of q
surprise to Mr.. Tracey.
.'She is not looking well. he thought,