The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-09-07


never do that We understand each
other too well for that. II there
should ever be any trifling misunder-
standing neither Of us would let II be-
tray us INTO ugly words We would
wait, sure that IL would come
out all right. We have already
adopted system of dealing with each
other in perfect honesty. and IL has
worked so admirably that feel IL will
be great success when we are mar
ried. We tell each other everything
everything, don't we, Howard?"
"Why. yes said Howard, EVERY
thing. l never felt tempted 10 keep
back anything but once. and that was
when / met Jack Chambers, my old
friend Jack, the other day, and--well,
you know Jack will indulge--a--and l
1--we told her all about il. But IL
wasn't so wicked, was it2"
mo; when we consider twas jack"
said Helen. but II IL had been any
one else--wcll should have said you
ought not"
Nobody but Jack could have in
duced me. Helen" Howard declared;
''he's great-hearted fellow, and it's
not half as bad for him to drink all he
wants as IL would be for me TO take a
single drink. Somehow you forgive
Jack everything-every one overlooks
Jack. he's such dear frank fellow. A
fellow would go on n lark with Jack
and think nothing OF it, when he
wouldn't join his father in drink.
And now that we are very sure that
we are going to DO the happiest people
in the world. / win run down 10 the
Office for few minutes, IL you'll ex-
cuse me. There's some important mail"
Howard, we are going TO take you
for drive" said Helen, disappointed
ly. Couldn't you give up the Office
just this once for us?'
"Well--er-you see this Is very inn
portant. but I'll tell you what Wen do.
Drop me at the Office and come back
for me in few-say ten minutes--and
then-anywhere you like"
III.
Howard verdery bounded lightly up
the stairway and into his Office,
whistling as he went. No one was
about, not even the janitor, as all were
enjoying the holiday, and heap of
letters lay upon the floor where they
had been pushed. through the door by
the postman. Verdery gathered up
the lot and tossing them on his desk
began hurriedly running through
them
1t was the first minute that he had
had 10 himself all day, and now as 1t
all rushed upon him. he felt sure, quite
sure, that In all the world there was
not happier man than he. He sorted
out the letters, selecting such as he
deemed important, and ripping them
open, mastered their contents in the
quick fashion of the trained business
man. But he could not bring his mind
TO the exclusive consideration of w hat
was before him. Helen's smile, Helen's
voice--Helen. Helen, Helen was before
him.
There was light step on the stair
and the rustic OF skirts. "Helen al
ready, and I'm not half through" he
murmured gladly. his eyes moving over
the paper with greater swiftness. The
step was Mt the door. and springing
up, with beaming, smiling face, the
letters falling to the door, he stood TO
meet her.
.Helen--r
lie fell back n pace or two as IL some
one had given him blow. His out
stretched arms fell nimbly to his side
and the smile died on his face.
Howard. Howard"
1t was voice whose tones he well
knew. but which he had not heard for
years, and which he had almost for
gotten. queenly woman with pale
and troubled face stood before him,
holding out her hand.
Howard"
To the tortured man IL seemed as il
whole half hour passed as they stood
thus. He could not speak.
"Wil you not speak TO me?' she
asked.
"What are you doing here?' he said,
in n voice that was not his own.
Howard, speak TO me-just a word;
speak to me as you once did, and can
tell YOU" The woman was. almost
pathetic In her appeal The tears
started from her eyes.
II never expected to see you again, {"
he went on rapidly. disregarding her.
'You have no right to come here.
had forgotten you-yon are nothing TO
me. What do you want here? Tell
me-quick."
She was not woman to be fright
ened; her face bore proof OF that, but
his words completely unnerved her.
Don't talk 70 me that way" she
begged, don't. Foggivc me for com
ing to you. but coihd not stay away
had TO come. saw by the papers
that you were TO be married and IL
drove me wild. thought could leave
you alone forever. bat could not bear
IL cannot bear to see you marry an
other, Howard, l cannot cannot.
It's nothing to me, / know, but you
shall not"
You are wild mad" he said, ex-
citedly. Her passion had aroused him,
almost frightened him. You are a