The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-09-14

the heliotrope In the bed beneath it.
May" she said, ''it Is three-and-
twenty years since last set eyes on
him, yet my whole life has been lived
mentally in his sight. / have striven
so ard.-everything I have done well
has been put before him with little
petition in my heart that said: Won't
this win You back ard prove TO you
that was worth better love than you
gave meT Bu3 the plea has seemed to
go out into space. like Noah's dove.
and TO come back unheard and un-
noticed"
Nonsense! What did he ever do in
the world himself? / have heard moth
ing of him for years; but we all know
that he failed Ia science and lived
lazy life In town on the money his
father left him"
A contemplative life is often more
useful than an active one" Miss
Roberts pleaded. Don't say things
against him." and she put out her
hand entreatingly. II do not know
why. but think, somehow. he cares
for me still; and, though it could only
mean friendship and n now-and-then
meeting, IL would be compensation for
all the years Of waiting"
Cares for youl" Mrs. Norton ex-
claimed, scornfully; IF he does he
would have come TO you before this. or
he hasn't the courage OF a mouse's tail.
Well, my dear, the train won't wait for
me; must go. OF course, you can de-
eide nothing till you have seen him.
Telegraph before seven this evening
Yes or No. about Switzerland" She
looked down at Miss Roberts white
hands, and up at her face. mot good
enough for you'll George. we women
are sad fools. and our reward Is ac-
cordingly." But Miss Roberts only
looked back at her with the expression
of one who Is waiting TO see Heaven,
and feels that 1t is very near.
Then suddenly there was heard the
sound Of a light carriage. The friends
looked at each other silently. The
wheels stopped before the house.
Go. Mary" Miss Roberts whis-
pered: Il want to see him alone"
Miss Roberts stood still, her heart
beating. her hands trembling. There
were heavy footsteps, the door was
opened and she heard the servant say:
"Mr Alwyn."
There entered man OF middle
height, stout and red faced. clean
shaven and double chinned, with "a
fringe of gray hair round his bald
head. She almost started. Was this
John Alwyn? The man she remem-
bercd had been slim and black haired,
with an almost supercilious expression
on his dark face and refinement in
every line of it. This one looked com
monplace and middle class, almost vul-
gar. Could this be the one round whom
she had built up all the romance OF her
life, this-this John Alwyn? She nl-
most laughed out, II was so absurd;
she nearly burst into tears, it was SO
tragic.
"0hl" she said, with little gasp.
ut is you--it is John Alwyn?"
Eyes, that's it," he said, with a smile,
more ready than in the old days. "How
do you do? You were surprised to get
my letter, weren't you? / don't believe
you knew me for a moment. I've al
tered good deal, you see; there's more
of me than there was. for one thing"
He laughed as though he thought IL a
pleasant joke. and looked at her with
good-natured amusement.
'Its long since we met" She almost
fell into the chair opposite him, and
stared half foolishly at his face.
"Twenty-three years, must be. Why,
| You have grown gray, too, and you are
thin. Have you been lip"
II am always thin" she answered,
with "A little smile. ''and gray - OF
course am gray. am growing old.
well, SO am |, Z" he said, with CHEEKY
resignation. and he looked at her
critically while she poured out some
tea SIN afraid we are both getting
on. / was fifty-six last birthday, and
time has not only made my hair gray,
but taken IL off for me, which Is worse;
and you see IL has made me as fat as il
! has made you thin. But tell me the
news. / never came across any of your
people, and was too lazy to look them
up. Are things in general all right?''
"Oh. yes, thank You; they are all
right" she answered, still wondering
whether she were awake and in her
ctHntns hAM NaAt W hNAA 0HVat
you, John you don't expect to be
called Mr.. Alwyn?s she asked. with the
little courteous manner that was
peculiar 20 her.
''Mr. Alwynl / should think not.
We are old friends-we were sweet
hearts once. you know, Georgia
YES" she said, In low voice.
Pretty girl you were. too. mice
figure and plenty TO say, clever girl,
too,--rathcr too clever for my taste, II
the truth must be told. ! thought II
"A mistake when you took lowell, to
OVERRIDING 1t. you know. i don't care
about women who write articles In
magazines and draw pictures for pub.
lication; don't mind IL they do few
drawings TO hang on the walls, that's
different"
"Oh, yes. quite different"
"And how is IL you have never mar
| rfodo Won, fntfef he rather lonnIv lfvfno