The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-06-22
A GAME POSTPONED.


winter would begin.
The great fields lay in unbroken
whiteness. The woods along the
banks Of the Iowa river were pillows
OF snow The large farmhouses, and
the number and size of the barns and
other outlying buildings, gave evil
dence of the richness of She soil that
lay buried and resting for another har-
vest
Judge Hilton's house had the dis
tinction Of being built of brick. There
was dignity IN its solidity over the
usual white frame houses on tho SUR
rounding farms that we'll became the
dignity Of the Judge.
The Judge was New England born
and bred. There is the vencration for
Puritan ancestry in the entirely west
ern soul that the Puritan mind still
has for good old English blood.
Isabel Hilton was her fathers house
keeper and only child. The mother
had died while she was baby, and
she had ruled the house and been
ruled by her father since that time.
She had all her fathers reserve and
pride of family, and at the same time
his happy nature and gracious manner,
that won her friends when she desired
to make friends. Those who found IL
impossible TO win their way into her
favor called this reserve In Isabel her
s'down east airs" There was a dis
couraging belief among the young men
in the country around, some OF whose
fathers owned farms and herds Of
cattle lnrge enough to divide and es-
tablish them in enviable beginnings,
that II the judge thought any Of them
worthy to win his daughters love
there would never be an opportunity
to gain the consent of the young lady.
The Judge had theories against Isa-
bells entertaining young men alone,
nor would he permit her TO 20 with any
escort but himself
The privilege of spending the even
1ng with Isabel, in the presenc of her
father, was considered mark OF dis
tinction, and held the one so honored
on the wave Of hope.
IF fellow had the backbone 70 out
sit the judge some night. he might pro-
pose 10 the daughter" was the COM
ment Mr.. Holderman made to his SON
one day. Clint Holderman had been 1
VhC " AotA btA > ittJot ptIoiottnb AtiAlICISs
THE trouble with all OF you is. you
60 there shaking in your boots, and
talk TO the judge, and come away with
the big head because yoy dared to do
that; but tell you, if / was young
fellow I'd out-sit him II l sat till the
break of day. It's some such pluck as
that the judge is looking for He
raised her, and he knows her value;
and she amt going cheap to none of
you. If you can go in ahead of the
other fellows and tow her In, Ill give
You ten thousand dollars and deed you
a section OF land. Come, now, let's see
what you're made Of"
Clint Holdcrman drove over TO the
brick house early on the evening that
had set his mind with flint-like de-
termination to give his fathers advice
the trial.
He had spent many evenings OF the
winter PLAYING chess with the judge. so
he was sure Of his welcome; but to-
might he looked beyond all this. Ho
thought of the hour when, at last. with
his heart and understanding touched, |
the Judge would bid thom good night,
and he should be left alone with Isabel.
There was no handsomer young man
in the country than Clint Holderman;
none who danced better, or who drove
better horses; but, moro than all this,
The Judge had repeatedly told him that
he had never known a man who played |
a better hand at chess
This was an encouragement indeed; |
for IL the judge had n weakness IL was
for chess, and 1t would be decidedly |
pleasant 70 have son-in-law who
could be TO him such a ready source of
entertainment. AS he drove into the |
yard, the judge came out on the side
piazza.
sGood evening" he called out. Just
drive on to the barn; the man will put
out your horses"
Swapping cold, but splendid sleigh
Ing" the Judge said. while Clint was
pulling OFF his overcoat in the hall.
'Yes, believe my ears are touched"
Clint answered, rubbing them.
isabel Is popping some corn. She'll
be glad you happened over to help
eat it"
He led the way into the long sitting
room at the end of the hall
Isabel, here Is Mr.. Holderman, my I
dear"
She sprang up.
II didn't hear you come In. Good
evening. Come over here by the fire.
why, IT'S Clint" she said, as he came
into the glow. II thought father
meant your father. never think Of
you rs Mr.. Holderman. Have some
corn"
She held the pepper open before
him. 'pm sure never think Of you
as Miss Hilton" he said. plunging his
hand into the corn, and laughing.
THAT would be little too much like
strangers, as long as we've known
each other"
The Judge left the room for mo-
mcnt, and came back with a lighted
lamp. and placed Il on the claw-legged