The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1894-08-11

place IN that, ne seems 30 iona OF en-
in his offices. tell yer. Agathy. them
blue eyes err hisn will open up at the
new main house. Reckon he didn't
plan on sich Improvement But we
can keep secret too, can't we. Aga
thy?" and Silas' deep-set eyes shone.
and Agatha's curls shook almost mer-
rily.
The tenth OF August was perfect
day. and the evening sky was glorious
with fluffy clouds amid the rosy lights
OF the dying day. Silas and Agatha
Baldwin sat on the new porch nppar-
emily calm, although Agatha rocking
chair displayed It's usual signal of agi-
tation, and Silas occasionally walked
across the porch, and then down 10 the
gate, and looked up the road.
Stage a leetle late, Silas?" ques-
toned Agatha, at length. They had
ceased 10 talk. Words seemed useless.
II dunno. Seems ez how II must be.
Most anythin' good nd seem late ter
night"
"I'll step In and light up now. I
guess" said Agatha, rising: and Siias
followed for no especial reason. The
stage from Westlea was late, and IL
was dark before the rattle OF its
wheels was heard along the road. II
stopped by the house, as Silas and
Agatha FASTENED To throw open the
door, and peered out into the dark
ness, seeing nothing. Then an mex
plainable feeling held them to the
porch. Rs they heard voices from the
stage They would have their greet
ing after II had driven away. but Silas'
shaking voice spoke Notwithstanding:
lis that you, Sily?"
Eyes, father, In a moment" came q
strong mans voice, and the two old
people grasped each others hand. The
gate was pushed open just then. and
up the short plank walk ran a little
child followed by another OF the same
size. lis this g'anpa?" said the first;
us this gamma" said the second, and
before the old people could move, the
two little children had climbed the
step - their side and put up their lit
tie hands for greeting, and exclaimed
in chorus. Use Aggie;" Use little
silly"
"Yes, father" said his sons voice
that moment, entering the porch with
a pale little woman on his arm, ''its
all tvue This Is your daughter Mary,
and this is my investment have come
10 carry on"
Agatha Baldwin's face was on her
husbands shoulder. Silas with his
hands behind him. looked straight be-
-. A.. q 4.
by his side; then at the two children
who had run back to their father and
mother, awed by their reception. Then
Silas spoke.
"Sily boy, fore Heaven and all that's
good. is-this all right? All as-it
should be?"
Young Silas Baldwin left his wife's
side, who had grown paler, and step
ping close 20 his father and mother he
took hand OF each be fore replying.
"Father-mother, before Heaven
and all that is good, IL is all right; is
all that II should be. You know told
you that your boy silly was odd, but
that he was not bad. And now have
you not welcome for your daughter
Mary, for Aggie and little silly and for
your son?"
"And it's all right, silly, boy, it's all
right" said Silas that evening score
of times, and these uns are Aggie
and little Sly" as he sat with one on
each knee, upon my soul who'd
a-known they Wasn't both boys or
both gals, In their dressesl An, Mary,
p'r'aps / amt treated you decent, but
you see amt used to hayin n daugh-
ter; but nobody could be gladder,"
and, bending over her, he gave her a
tender kiss which proved seal OF
mutual affection. His son Silas ex-
planned his position. His first year In
the west had been an unsuccessful
search for successful opening. Then
when IL came and he was established
on small salary he fell In love with
Mary Grey. There was promise Of ad-
vancement and Mary and he were per-
suaded they could be happy together
on but little. SO IL proved, even after
the twins came. For Mary, small and
frail as she was, was true helpmeet
In courage and encouragement, and
he often felt II IL were not for the
bright home OF two rooms, poorly but
cheerily furnished, To which he re-
turned at night, met by loving well
come and little warm arms, he should
have gone adrie He had kept tho
marriage from his parents at first
like the odd boy no was, know
ing that he could not explain sat
isfactorily. Then IL grew easy not
TO mention II, 10 write seldom
and TO deal In generalities. But when
he saw the climate OF White Springs
leaving its marks on Mary, her face
becoming pale and her manner list
less. he began 20 bestir himself OPP
portunities occurred, advantageous 90
his leaving, and he found he could
busy himself, with occasional visits
west, I'm Breton Center but the
business ! wanted the rooms for, you
can understand now mother" he con-
cluded, looking around at Mary and
tho two babies curled up on the sofa.
"sily, boy, you couldn't a-planned
better. You didn't toll US, we know.
Mil. ft.~..uft rtrht rual.ba tfxyn .