The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-06-14
ONE AMONG A HUNDRED.

Amy, thar Gums Hugh Peterson
down the lane. Jes' run in and put on
yore blue caliker. I'll talk long wi him
till yo' Gums out
The speaker. tall. dark -eyed. elder
ly woman, addressed gentle-faced
girl of about 20 who was gathering a
bouquet OF roses by her side.
IL was winter, but I'm Florida roses
are especially line in December, and
Amy Wilson had the rarest collection
Ia the country.
She turned slowly toward her mother,
adding bud here and there to her
basket, already piled. as she did SO.
''NO, mother. This dress looks well
enough and cannot entertain him this
afternoon. promised 10 carry this
basket of flowers TO Lena Pratt to help
decorate the church tomorrow, and she
will wait for me-"
II do b'leeve yo' got no grain o.
sense, Amy Wilson-io turn yore back
on q good-lookin' well-to-do young fell
low like Hugh Peterson! To jes' snub
him straight long, declar'. yo' vex
mer' with frown on her unusually
placid brow. as she looked searchingly
into the fair face of the girl before her.
Amy laughed. and tapped her loving
ly upon the cheek with brown, but
slender fingers.
He Is almost here. mother, and /
will go in and slip out the back way.
You can make excuses for me- for in
deed | cannot disappoint Lena"
And she was gone before her mother
could add a word.
The day was perfect. and, walking
through the understanding pines, Amy
sighed contentedly. The pleasant green
of the woods never framed sweeter or
fairer picture than she made. with her
basket OF roses on her arm and her
deep-gray eyes turned dreamily upon
the familiar prospect around her.
Herparents belonged to the cracker"
caste, but they were thrifty and indus
trious and had given their children the
best advantages their means afforded.
Amy, being the youngest and best
beloved. had Jared even better than her
brothers and sisters. and was regarded
In the ncighborhood as quite prodigy
Ia the way of learning aud accomplish
ments.
At the foot OF an immense pine tree
she paused, and pressing her hand
caressingly over some rude letters
carved upon the trunk, she whispered:
True till dealhl That was his
promise. | will never doubt you, Rob,
nor give my heart TO another What
does IL matter that | have not heard
from you for two ycarsp When You
have made home for me, however
humble, you will claim me, and | can
waitl"
All. Hugh Peterson, could you have
seen her tender eyes moment ago,
you would not rein In your horses so
confidently, as YOU reach her side, nor
80 hastily dismount and take masterful
possession Of her basket of rosesl
She looked up into his really hand.
some. manly face, and said coldly:
why did you come? | told you
yesterday that should not be nj home.
You always tell me that" smiling
down upon her with tender eyes. III
waited for an invitation from You.
should never sec you. But your mother
Is my friend. and your father too; and
with them on my side. | shall not de.
SPAR. Are you made Of stone that you
care so little for my lover" sudden pas
sion upon his face and breaking tire.
mulously through his voice.
Before she could answer. he added.
hastily;
mo. l will not listen TO what you
say. for know you mean TO snub me
as usual. believe | can win you In
spite OF your GOODNESS. and / shall never
give you up until | see you married to
another"
She turned her eyes full upon him.
Your hope Is vain. You will not
believe meP" earnestly, solemnly.
you know why cannot love you.
Why waste your heart and time upon
mep"
Because know how girls change"
laughing lightly. land because know
am more fitted TO make your life com
Portable and happy than Rob Stewart. "
With his broad acres. prosperous
store, aud beautiful home. Il was no
wonder he was sure OF success.
he loved her ardently aud tenderly.