The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-04-26
AARON BLAlR'S ATONENENT.



mould. Delicately, shy, loving.
shrinking, and gentle. she had no
strength TO struggle against this FIRST
sorrow OF her life. whith seemed TO
oyerwhelm her altogether; but each
day she dropped and faded and Ian
guished like some roughly-uprooted
plant. She did not call pique TO her
aid and ilirt with honest Doctor We'd
lake; she did not proudly pretend that
she did not care; she could hardly at
tempt 10 take up the thread oil her
simple happy life rs II had been only
few weeks since. or Try 10 make IL
satisfy her again. How could she,
when ever and always Owens voice
sounded in her ears, Owen eyes met
her eyes, beseeehingly and reproach-
fully?
Aaron Blair saw the change in her,
and suffered an agony which only
strong, self-contalned, somewhat sui
len natures can suffer. When he look
ed nj Lily's delicate face. her slender
figure, her little white hands. which
each day seemed 10 become more
white, more fragile and transparent,
he seemed 20 see her young mother
fading and dying over again. tie
watched her all day with "A craving,
.calous anxiety; he listened outside
her door at night, aud heard her sob
and fondly murmur her lovers name
in the darkness: and at last he set his
teeth and formed resolution. He
said nothing 10 Lily; but he changed
his coat one afternoon, went into her
fine drawing where she was
trying TO sleep upon the couch. kissed
her gently and went out at the little
white gate, turning his face stolidly
toward Upper Datehing. he tramped
along at u steady, even pace until be
reached The Cot. and then asked for
Lady Elizabeth Ormiston.
The magnificent footman whose
spirits had been so deprc sel by a re-
tired country life was rather disinclin-
cd TO admit the visi or. the III Of whose
coat and boats he surveyed with dis
dain while snpercihously asking him
his business. lie might have shut
tho door upon him, which he looked
inclined 20 do. but just then a young
lady crossed the hall. Milliccnt
lleith had never before seen the face
OF Lily Blair's father. but there was
something about It. stern and rugged
as IL was. that arrested her attention,
and she stopped. asking In her clear
voice what was wanted In his blunt
way, Aai on Blair put aside the foot
man ard spoke 20 her.
by your leave. Mis-, want to see
her ladyship.'
Lady Iii abeth?" qucried Milly.
Il hardly know whether she is at lib
erty just now. WIN you tell me your
name?n
''My name il Blair, Miss
..Blairg' Millicents dark eyes took
in his sturdy figure, his sunburnt face.
and his grikzled head for he had re-
moved his bat in speaking To her.
4 his, I'll, H. was the father OF tho girl
whom Owen loved. Lady Elizabeth
would refuse 10 see him If she were
asSed-that was certain. Partly be-
cause She was curious, partly because
he looked SO very much in earnest,
Milly wiliuny resolved that her lady
ship should not be asked. She said
aloud, .Wil you come with meP"--
and so. without q pause, led him into
the pretty drawing-room and into the
presence OF the mistress o. the house.
Lady Elizabeth WAS sitting by the
window reading. but rose at once in
her dignilled way. and east look OF
stately and wondering INJURY from
the girl o the strange visitor. Milly
re PRESSED Little thrill OF nervousness,
and said quickly
.srhis rs MIR. Blair, Lady Elizabeth.
| | believe-he tells me that he
wishes TO sec You.
Surprised out Of her self-possession
for moment. Lady Elizabeth sank
down slowly into her chair again, be-
hind which Milly withdrew. Aaron
Blair advanced IA step.
You know he said, "who l am,
my lady
II do. Her cold eyes rested upon
him with glance OF almost con.
temptuous aversion, and n wave OF her
thin white hand seemed 10 check his
further words. Zone momeut. II you
please allow me 10 speak. Do you
come here 10 speak OF your daugh'
terP"
"Yes." was the blunt reply.
"rhen | decline TO listen; / decline
altogether 90 have this distasleful sub
cct rc-opened in my presence.
speak plainly, for in n case like this
believe plain speaking TO be the best.
have not altered my decision. and
never shall do so be good enough 10
understand that