The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-03-08


sorry as the time passed on. aud Sallie
waited also. She had believed that
her lover would make oyertures OF
reconciliation. and she was ready TO
meet him halfway. And two young
hearts ached and were full OF bitter
ness and believed they must break. be-
cause OF two inches OF loose splint In a
little old market basket.
Then Edward went away with an
uncle who was captain OF an ocean
steamer; and Sallie. staying at home.
refused the offers OF hand. heart and
fortune made her by various gallant
Virginia youths. saw her younger sis
ters marry. aud kept the secret OF her
heart from all.
III he had but come" she often said
10 herself
said as often, having no doubt she re-
ceiyed his letter
As for Phil. he went away TO school.
aud afterward 10 military academy,
and grew tall and handsome. and came
home for tho holidays. and was the
family JOY and pride as heretofore.
And the splint basket hung upon the
hook in tho pantry with a persistency
only possible 10 southern basket la a
southern kitchen.
II was old aud shabby and sort OF
heirloom. A big new basket had been
In constant use when Phil went on his
errand. but this had been chosen for
its small size aud light weight
Phil was just 10 and home for Chris
mas. and for the first time since he
went away Edward had come home.
He had proposed, but he had not mar
ried.
He had never forgiven Sallie for re-
fusing TO forgive him, aud he believ-
cd he hated women for her sins. The
truth was he still loved her.
After he had been home for n week
and had been TO call on all his old
friends, and had found the Virgininn
village unchanged. even the old pump,
that some one had begun TO paint
blue. stood half finished, as IL was
when he went away, and old Uncle
Blink. the gardener. had not time TO
finish "Platin' dem var s'ringa." he
walked one morning down into the VIII
lage to the postoiiice.
tho postmaster was still sorting the
letters in the tea-caddy. as he had
been when he last saw him. and his
wife was reading the postal cards and
commenting on the news they convey
cd.
There were letters and papers for
him. aud after he had got through
with the requisite amount OF gossip ne
turned his steps homeward aud came
full upon tail youth who carried in
his hand a shabby little old splint bas-
lict
Well, I" cried this young fellow In
establishment "is it you or somebody
elsePn
III believe / nm myself" said Ed
ward But who-unless why, 1t is
Phil Peyton. grown like the vine In
Jack and the Bcan-stalkrp
IL do shove up said Phil you
look shorter somehow Wcll how do
you do? Somehow it seems as II this
all happened before"
1T did eleven years ago." said the
older nan. you carried the same
basket and were going for coffee"
1--WE been for coffee now" said Phil.
We'll. come and see us. Good bye,
they are waiting for the coffee. Uncle
Mo would have taken two hours TO do
the errand, SO offered TO run over To
the store. Goodbye. DO come over
and have cigar aud n chat"
He hurried away. Edward went
slowly up the hill Had SalIie altered
rs much as Phil hadp he asked himself
Sallic was q now; he was 81. He
heavod sigh suitable for an S0th birth
day.
youth has down." he thought,
land love with it,
He looked over his shoulder AT this
moment He had reached the point
whence he could sec the Peytons' gar
den.
Despite himself he turned and gnzed
Phil had entered the gate A little
woman in blue stood there and took
the basket from him.
'Sallie! Ny God! am Just ms fond
OF her rs overlr sighed Edward.
What an idiot ann
The tears arose TO his eyes. lie saw
her take the basket from Phil, and the
two entered the house together.
'Who do you think | just now mot,
MAJ said Phil.
"Who was it?r queried the mother
"Sallie's old beau. MIR. Edward Bar
ton. said Phil 'lle didn't know mo
at first"
Sallie turned TO look out the window.
Here is the coffee. Martha" said
Mrs. leyton. handing the basket to tho
cook.
"Dcy is letter Is dis dar basket.
missus." said Martha
ibid you give mo one TO mailp"
asked Phil II didn't SEQ IT,"
mo, IL is directed 10 Sallic. " said
Mrs. Peyton. Why how dirty II is?"
She caught tho letter. After one