The diamond drill., 1890-02-15
GHOST OF VALLEYTHORPE.

the dull state OF the real estate market
and the bad condition that Valley
thorpe has fallen into"
Have you sold it?" said Diana Dart
suddenly dropping her needles and
turning pale.
Yes. i've sold it, said Mr.. Money
penny. 'for $4,000.
'.But IL was mine." said Diana
"Old Mr.. Thorpe gave IL TO my mother
In reward for the care she took OF him
in his last days"
..Yes, | KNOW know" said Mr..
Moneypenny. soothingly. as II he were
speaking 10 fractious child. but,
you see, you MT prove IT. There
ain no papers later than the old will
OF 1880, and that leaves everything To
Rufus Milner. And IL ain't yours or
his'n now It's Chartley Fountaine's
II hate Chartley Fountaine," said
Diana. with an obliquc flash out OF her
superb Andalusian eyes. "He Is al
ways crossing my path"
''Oh, come. now, don't be unreason-
able. y said Mr.. Moneypenny. ''Fon-
taine's good fellow as ever was. IL
amt no ways TO his discredit that he
knows a bargain when he sees H. +"
Diana Dart made no reply. She went
on sewing with dark frown outlining
her level black brows
Mr.. Moneypenuy furtively observed
her as he ate his dinner.
el'm almost sorry" thought he,
''ihat Mrs. Moneypenny hired that girl
TO sew for her by the month. She's
right smart with the needle to be sure;
but she's got that gypsy way with her
that nobody ever knows what she'll do
or say next. Anyhow, I'll be glad
when her times up"
DIANA
The sun had just disappeared behind
the purple spurs OF the Berkshire hills.
Diana. at last released from the drudg-
cry OF the needle. was standing under
the fragrant silver-green blossoms OF
the grape vines, watching the slender
curve OF the new moon above her he d.
She started az the sound Of Charley
Fontaine S voice.
What is it?'
Il want TO speak TO you, Diana"
"Yoa can't have anything TO say TO
me!r
But have. A great deal. I've
bought the old place. Dianav
You have bought it-yes. But who
hal any right TO sell 1t TO you? It's
mine. Mine by Inheritance from my
mother
1T sha, be yours. Diana, II you will
marry mer he pleaded.
II won't marry any man who is an
imposierv
Caartcy Fontain WINGED q little at
this extremely plain speech.
III had not become the purchaser.
Diana said he. some one else would.
Aud it was for you, dearr'
Diana imprisoned her red lips firmly
between her white teeth.
II decline altogether To receive IT, v
said she. What, receive my own al
the hands of any man alive? I've too
much pride for that Ii Is mino! II
was my mothers before me-"
You cannot prove II" he urged.
n ruth ought 20 need no proofs.
There Is no use In talking. said
Font inc. little impatiently. What
/ want 10 know is will you marry me?''
NO" Diana promptly answered.
mot portionless begger.
'Diana!"
IL mean it, said she; and so they
parted certainly not enemies. but not
quite friends
Ch ,riey Fontain took possession o
the old Nalleythrope m nslon with a
deal less prde and happiness than hs
had expected aud. instead OF the beau
tifnl Young wife upon whose prescnc'
ne had counted. old Aunt NalenciS
cnmo 10 keep house for him "A fantast
10 wincing little parsonage, with IL
yenr-old head upon 7O-ycar-old pai
Of shoulders. "A combination which is b,
no means so rare In this world as on,
would think. She was at once rheu
mntlcand romatic. sensible and super
siitous.
..Such dear old place. Chartr sal
she. 8 she followed her nephe'
through the halls and corridors. he
skirts held daintily up. her eye-glasse
nrbs ganclng here and there like thos
OF an elderly sparrow.
'Only "A little stnify though. isn't II
Ry the way. what's this story thi
very respectable w0min. the hous'
keeper. tells me about countorclaii
set up 10y one Miss Dart 10 this proper
TYP"
Chnrtley listlessly explained the con
plicniiOn,
What nonsense" chIrped Aunt Va
len ia
~She believes iirmly In t.. said he
nephew.
.'But she emit prove 10"
..Nu. She has only had her mother
word foi. H. and Mrs Dart wasn't q
,nrctheriighi Ia hoe head ~ the tin
OF her death II Is more than lilsel