The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-03-01

noursed her 10 the last. She died In
my arms. knowing nothing OF the
darker side OF my life, believing her
old schoolfellow TO be as innocently
unhappy and lonely as herself. and
leaving me her little all. IL was little
enough-a few poor dresses and bits
OF jewelry--her mothers. she told me
and the letter that her mother had
penned with her dying hand 10 tho
forsalxen lover OF her youth.
Il never delivered IL - was
too proudr the girl cried, almost at
the last but they say this Mr.. Ger
rard Is good man--perhaps for my
mothers sake no will help my only
friend"
.There was some feeling in this I'M
masked adventures, lrcne. or else
her acting was superb. for her eyes
grew dim with tears; but the next mo-
ment she said with impatient scorn--
:" .Bah--you know the rest! Why
should make a long story OF itP l
was weary OF myself and my old name.
the public that once adored had Kissed
me from the stage. Why should l not
turn my back on Ina Vertuni. and her
stained past and her husband In the
galleys, and begin new life In Estelle
Egertons name? / did IT, and l am
not sorry-the game was worth the
candle while IL lasted. But the game
Is over, the candle burned out, and
must show that / can lose. as well as
win, with good grace.
II did not answer; was wondering
how 1 should carry through my difi-
cult task-what should say or do
next-when she suddenly helped me
with "A suggestion.
Suppose you spare me little
while, Mr.. MartineauP You are great
enough TO be merciful here. Docs
Irene Gerard know my story?
I" No; l have not written. or spok-
en- to, or seen her yet
Then promise not 10 write, not
speak TO. or TO see her until am
gone. She is a kind girl she tried TO
welcome and like me. and | have a
fancy TO bid her goodbye before |
go.
'She did, Dicki She called here
quite early in the morning-on her
way, / suppose TO the train
"Yes." Dick answered. with
thoughtful nod; II met her at tho
station by your uncle's wish, and took
her up to town. She had tod him the
whole story--not in my presence---the
night before, and he OF course was
terribly shocked and shaken by tho
news; but he had somewhat recovered
when | saw him, and on the whole
was wonderfully calm. As for her,
really believe she delighted to be free.
A" Il could not have endured your
Ludleigh much longer; and shall not
starve now, she said, with candid pleas
urc, when the solicitor informed her
OF the liberal provision with which
your uncle proposed TO purchase free
dom and peace. "Mr. Martineau, you
may be sure / shall abide by my bar
gain, and always look upon you AS my
best friend"
'And that is ALP" asked wiRtful-
~. rs Dick paused.
That Is all. dear; an all Is VOL so
far--or will be, ut least, when the
roses have come back 20 these poor
pale cheeks answered Dick fondly.
"Poor little Irene, you have had much
to bearl But you took instant re-
venge on those who made you suffer
by giving them this week OF agonized
suspense TO live through. Your
mother and have been like crazy
folk; and MIR. Gerard has been go
cruelty anxious about you that / am
sure by this time he has half forgot
ten he ever had wife
laughed, weakly but happily. 10
WINS inexprcssibly sweet to be SO loved
and petted after that long agony OF
doubt. Through all tho after days,
do not think that my faith in Dick
ever wavered for moment again.
By-and-by uncle Archie came. with
his kind grave face and anxious eyes,
and knew that what Dick had said
was true; his great fear that he had
killed mo had almost put the other
trouble out OF his mind. / think his
brief experience OF married life al
ready began TO seem 10 him nothing
more than the haunting memory OF an
ugly dream.
''Wo shall all forget IL In time,
mother declared comfortably. "even
the Ludleigh gossips will. by and bye.
oh. yes. you may shake your head.
Irene and admit they are a tcna-
cious set OF people--but they will let
even this subject drop--say in year
or two. After all. they know so little;
and now that they cannot possibly
pretend. rs they did AZ first. that sho
-.