The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-12-20
HER LAST ROMANCE.


Mrs. Merriwcather turned her face
upon her.
What did you say. Amman
Il said YOU were too romantic" re-
peated Amina. with sullen delibera-
lion.
Amina was the daughter of de-
fnnct Italian iiddler--a wild-eyed.
rrratic dreamer, who had drifted 10
these shores and for few years kept
the rcd-cycd hunger-wof from the
door by PLAYING In the orchestra of tho
opera. There was nothing Amina did
not owe to Mrs. Merriweather. Ii was
the rich widow who had gathered her
In and given her home.
Mrs. Merriweather stood before her
and in the abrupt arreslug Of her
movements all the tinkling bangles
on her wrists gave tongue. Mrs.
Mcrriwcaiher was very fond Of bangles
and pendants and tinkling cymbas
She looked very stately in her dgnitied
pose, and scarcely more than thirty
live.
lit seems to me-" she erunciated.
with disarming gentlencss. that |
hardly merit abuse ut your hands
Amina.n
Amiua saw through her protectrcss
ms though she hnd been glass. But
what had that To do with il? She felt
convicted Of ingra;itude.
She suddenly Hung herself out other
chair and down on the floor ut Mrs.
Merriweathcr'S knee.
oh. don't mind what / sayl I'm a
wretch! You've been a angel TO me
and I'm unworthy rs any viper!'
Mrs. Mcrriwcathcr smiled benignly.
such scenes were not new. Upon tho
whole, il was not unpleasant 10 have
this hHlf-ndignant. haf-protected
nusierity close 10 one Ii made one
feel young -almost girlish! And the
alterations Of passionate. adoring
lcalty we're pleasant also. They gave
color 10 daily life.
Mrs. Mcrri Ncather's smile curved in
60 a youthful archness.
You love me SO much and yet YOU
don't seem to think that others could
love mel'
Aminn was on her feet again. serious
anil almost sulion rs before.
MIR pallaline is young. don't
think he Is more than thirty" she said.
This indeed, was vcnturing muchl
Mrs. Mcrriwcathcr drew herself up
again aud this time there was no
doubt about the stecly point in her
eyes.
Mr. ralnntinc Is poor and gem
tlcman. That means that he has tastes
which he cannot satisfy. To 90 about
giving readings gifted aud fastidious
us hc is cannot be wholly agrecab e."
Il should think II might be moro
agreeable than being patronizod by limo
ladies', supplemented Amina.
Decidedly said Mrs. Merriweather.
sweeping irum the room. you forget
yourself to-day
Amina sat down by the window with
her hands IN her lap. A wretchP OF
course she was wrclehl Why had
She not been left to starye by the body
Of her dead father In that bare room
long agoP
That cftning Egbcrt Pallatinc. read
Ing Ulf in Ireland" Mrs. nc Van Hook
er's reception. was conscious OF Mrs.
Mcrriwenther's fascinated eyes hang
ing ON his face.
One hour later. when the rccitations
were over aud some music to which
people had listened with patient
resignation had been performed, he
found himsclfiu the midst OF the push
for the suppcr.room close TO the
widows poriumcd pink brocade aud
elaborate blonde head and opulcnt
white shoulders and throat rising gen
erously like full-tlown dollhouse
Hower out OF her low corsage and
plentifnlly bcdewsd with diamonds
lie offered his arm. and Mrs. Merri-