The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-11-08

forger IL help was needed was 1ul-
ly authorized to call upon the con-
stabulary authorities at K; but I
expected 10 need no assistance.
The rosy dawn was just ushering the
eastern sky when alighted. stiff.
weary and faded. from the train.
Can you direct me to Mrs. Matti-
sons placer" l asked OF the sleepy
station-master.
'.Mattison-Mrs. Mattison; I don't
know her. but / can tell you where she
lives. just YOU follow the main street
Of the village 10 a wood. with foot
path running through II. Get over the
stile. follow the footpath. and in a lit
tie while you'll see yellow house-the
last place la the world where you'd
expect TO sec dwelling. There's
where Mrs. Madison lives"
thanked my informant and set out
at brisk walk. carrying my travelling
bag in my hand. 1t was half an hour
ere diyerged from the main road, or
rather lane. The stile at the end of
the footpath through the wood was
quickly reached. and the little yellow
house-a cream-colored cottage literal
ly overgrown with honeysuckles
presently rewarded my search. and. rs
/ knocked mt the door. clock some
where struck the hour of z.
A decent-looking elderly woman.
in widows weeds, came 10 the door.
lis Mr.. Madison in--Mr. Perley
Mattison?"
NO she answered quickly. with.
as imagined. rather confused look.
did not believe her. and asked
quietly. when do you expect him
homes"
Not Mt present"
Apparently she expected me to go
away, but, instead, slipped into the
passage.
Mother asked soft voice at the
head OF the stairs. 'who is it?'
And then, for the first time. i be-
came aware that some one had been
watching aud listening to our colloquy
from the head of the stairs-a young
girl. dressed like the mother. in deep
black with very brilliant eyes and
profusion of Jet black curls.
Some one 10 see your brother"
She came halfway down the stairs.
pushed back her curls with one hand
and looked at me with her wonderful
eyes. Even then her beauty struck mo
as I stood gazing at her.
'Perley is not ut home" she said.
hurriedly. "He has gone away. We
do not know when he will return"
Evidently this mother and daughter
were in the secret OF Mattison's VIII
liany aud doing their best To screen
him from its consequences. My heart
bled for both OF them; but il was no
time TO indulge In sentimental pity.
Speaking as briefly as ] could. l told
them it was my duty to compel them
to remain were they were while
searched the house.
Mrs. Mattison sat down pale and
trembling. Her daughter colored
high.
Mother" she said. "why do you
stand by and listen TO such slanders9
IL is false? Let this man search the
house If he will; my brother is as in
nocent as / amp
No opposition was offered 10 my
search. 1t was entirely Ruthless how
ever; there was no where any trace OF
the missing bird. Nevertheless, l re-
solved TO remain there quietly. for a
day or two, to see what little waiting
might bring forth
The same afternoon Clara Madison
came in as l sat by the window, keep
Ing silent watch on all round.
''Mr, Meredith" she said. softly.
''mother thinks / have been rude to
you. She says 1t was not your fault.
personally. that you were sent here on
such mistaken errand--and perhaps.
she is right / am sorry il have hurt
your feelings"
The pretty, penitent way in which she
spoke quite won my heart. and few
questions on my part seemed TO unlock
the hidden recesses of her confidence.
She talked at first shyly but after
ward with more assurance. OF herself.
her absent brother and her mother.
giving me n thousand little family de-
tails which almost dreaded TO hear.
This twilight talk was one Of the
pleasantest episodes OF my by no
means universally pleasant life. and
was not little annoyed when IL was
broken in upon by the arrival OF the
constables from K. who were to
watch through the night.
At the sound OF their footsteps.
Clara rose up. and sat down again.
confused aud frightened.
oh Mr.. Meredith. those men,"
BE easy. Miss Mattison," l said
''you shall in no way be annoyed by
them. Your privacy shall not be-
broken In upon. believe me-"
II know am silly" faltercd Clara,
"but oh. il seems SO dreadfulr'
My orders TO the men were simple
aud succinct. l stationed them rs
seemed best to me, and then returned
To spend the evening with Miss Matti-
son. And when was at length left