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

have visited your mill. looked over tho
premises. examined the books. and. n salts
factory 70 you am willing 20 take charge Of
the business during your absence. advancing
the necessary money. This. providing you will
seP me one-half interest In tho property. &C
the price asked BY tho former owner. and viii
accept the money shall advance as part pur-
chase money
Awaiting your decision. am
VERY truly yours. ID II. BoAnpnAN"
His first sense was one of relief, fol-
lowed by wonderment. David Board
man was senior member of the firm
owning one of the largest mills In
Elliston, and his check could be drawn
for larger amount than that Of any
other man in the city. What could he
want, Harry asked himself, with an
interest la a mill In little country
town, where such financial disaster
had occurred as had happened 10 his
own business?
| But the letter was evidently in good
faith, and Harry telegraphed his ac-
ceptance Immediately, knowing that q
partnership with Mr.. Boardman would
insure his future.
Three months later Harry alighted
from the train at his western home.
In the intervening time his partner
had not only made up the loss the BUSH
ness had sustained, but had brought
profits higher than ever before. Mr..
Boardman had remained constantly on
the ground, however, but had signified
his intention Of returning to Elliston
as soon as Harry returned.
A farmer drove past Harry, as he
walked to the mill. He could not stop
his loaded wagon on the river bank.
but he called out cheerily:
'Glad ter see yer back, Mr.. McDou-
gal. Mighty fine partner o yours in
tharl'
With n light heart, Harry pushed
open the Office door, then stopped,
aghastl He saw, busily writing at the
desk, not the bent form of David
Boardman, but n young lady. For a
moment he stood staring at the trinity
attired figure and sleek, dark hea
Then low, yet decisive voice said:
Were there any letters for us to-
night, John?"
Before Harry could frame reply.
the young woman. turning, met his
gaze. She rose and advanced, a tribe
of color coming TO her cheek. yet her
dcmeanor cool and unruflied, and asked:
81 beg your pardon, sir. thought
it was the janitor. Is there anything
i can do for you?"
Harry pulled himself together and
replied:
u should like to see Mr.. Boardman."
The girl looked puzzled for q mo-
ment, then answered:
II fear you have made d mistake.
Mr.. Boardman lives in Elliston, the
next town east"
II certainly can have made no mis-
take" returned Harry, decidedly. II
have letters in my pocket dated at this
place, and settling the details of q
transaction by which he becomes part
owner of this property"
''Mr. Boardman certainly has no In
tercst here" stated his informant. II
am Miss Boardman. and have bought
| half this mill. which l am managing
until Mr.. McDougall arrives from the
east"
For an instant Harry felt as though
he were on toboggnn slope several
miles long, not knowing where the end
might be; but he pulled himself to.
gether and handed the lady one Of his
cards.
At sight of the piece of pasteboard
the young lady looked wonderstruclf,
and again flushed trifle. Then she
looked up, and ventured:
"And you thought"
"Yes. / thought So" he answered,
comprehensively. "But am SO DO
wlldercd now that / am past all think
ing. viii you please explain some
things that cannot understand"
Within few moments Harry dis.
covered that instead OF selling an In
terest In his mill to Mr.. David Z. Board
man, he had delivered 1t over to a
Philistine in the person of Dor
othy p. Boardman, the aforesaid
gentlcman'a niece and junior partner,
that she, having extra funds on her
hands, and hearing of McDougall's
trouble. had felt sorry for him, inves-
tigated, found that the investment
would be good one, and made him an
offer.
She had not intended to deceive him,
but had merely signed her name as
she was In the habit of doing In her
business relations, without dreaming
of being confused with her uncle, not
taking into account Harry's short resi-
dencc In the state.
II WINS astonishing 10 sec how rcadi'
ly tho young man reconcilcd himself
to having for a partner this young
businesslilxc woman, with the bright
eyes and qniet voice.
Miss Boardman went back Go Ellis
ton at once. and Harry took up hi:
work alone. His booISleeper was
never found, perhaps because the
amount of his embezzlement was not
large enough TO make much stir. bu'
Henrietta said 1t was because Of hi'
''bropdcr outlook"
That young lady also made frequent
remarks about tho number OF time
that Harry found IL necessary 10 seel
his partners advice, and her triumph
was complete when, few months