The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-10-18

| Whatever the motive was that took
Ann SO often To Owl Rock, whether she
went to watch for the return 81 her lover
or merely toread and mediate. promptly,
as a rule. al o'clock she came back TO
the kitchen 10 prepare supper. But one
afternoon, for the first time. she was
little late; and was on the point Of start
out TO call her when / saw her coming
through the garden. attended by a broad
shouldered, sturdy looking young fellow,
whose rolling gait at once revealed the
fact that he was "A sailor
Ii was easy TO see that Ann was happy,
and suddenly ! made the discovery that
she was something more than pretty. In
place OF her san bonnet she wore TIN 90
cornered handkerchief tied under her
chin. The wind hal roughened the hair
about her forehead and her cheeks
seemed 30 have caugh. their color from
the red glow in the ~ est She carried
her Bible in her hand. aud with her shin
her prim dark gown, like sort OF trans
figured nun.
When they reached the door step the
young man said good night and hurried
back TO the beach.
"l's Jason, na'am, ANN explained, ms
she came into the house. Il hadn't seen
him for most Tia ears. an that's what
made me late We used to be friends,
she aided, shyly
Nearly every afternoon for the next
fortnight Jason joined her at Owl Rock.
Ann during these days went about her
work with preoccupiei air.
did you ever think, ma'am, she
asked one morning, as she WAS busting
the dining room, THAT you'd like to DO
q missionary 2"
l confessed 20 having had in my
younger days a vague aspiration in that
direction.
"Oh, think il would be beaHtiful!"
said the girl. "Jason's been tellin' me
about an island he's been TO; they were
shipwrecked there; that's why he was
gone 50 long, an the people are all
heather. told Jason it was shame
somebody didn't go out there an
teach 'em. Do you 'spose sailors
wife would have any chance 70 do that
sort Of work, maam2 You know some
times the ships stop there for water.
Before | could answer her John called
10 me from his sanctum, and the subject
did not come up again. but guessing tho
trend of AIMS thoughts l began To
school myself TO the thought of losing
her.
A day or two later. however, the girl
came back from Owl Rock alone.
"He's gone, ma'am, she announced
gravely.
~Gone!" / cried "Why, Ann.
thought YOU were going TO marry him.
Ann shook her head.
"No. IN; / can't He's too worldly
minded. He smokes. an always when
he's ashore he wants TO wear-starched
buzsoms
But what OF that, Ann, If you love
him?" / said.
AIMS chin began to culver. II was
pretty, sensitive chin. that's just it.
ma'am; l love him too well. she said
brokenly. III don't dare I'm afraid
he'd be q stumblin' block TO me- f"
There was nothing more TO be said.
there the matter rested.
We had expected TO go back to town
in the fall, but John became SO infatuated
with this "calm retreat" that we decided
TO take the house for another year, and
10 our supreme satisfaction Ann agreed
TO remain with us.
Meanwhile Cousin Helen had made us
another visit and Ann, though she still
grieved that any one SO good and lovable
as Miss Helen should be guilty Of wear
ing flounces, became again her ardent
admirer. In fact, 50 great was Helen's
influence over her chat she eventually
prevailed upon her to wear white
apron and a linen collar The improve.
ment made IN her appearance by these
simple adjuncts was a delight 20 the eye,
and though at first she wore them owl
IDENTIFY under protest, regarding them
still as ~vanities OF the world, her love
for Helen finally conquered all scruples.
and the apron and collar came TO be re-
gardcd as an indispensable part of her
toilet.
Jason had gone on ten months
cruise, aud ms the time drew near for
the ships return Ann grew restless and
absent minded. She went oftener To
Owl Rock. and more than once she be-
came so absorbed in watching the far Off
sails as TO forget when 5 o'clock came.
This went ON for several weeks and
then one morning she blushingly in
formed me that Jason was home again.
But you ought not to let him keep on
coming 10 see you, Ann. said, If you
are not poing TO marry him