The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-03-23
Get Howard to tell yoa a story"

Oh' 10, uoi was the cry, ana How
ard began one of the German folklore
stories, and kept on talking till he de-
clared he .couldn't think OF anything
moro to say. Almost interested audience
they were. and called for more every
timeshe stopped. Elsie stood leaning on
the back OF Macs armchair, looking at
Howard with her great eyes, taking In
every point of the story, and giving
Howard keen pleasure as he watched
her sensitive face change at each new
phase OF the story. by and by she sat
down on the arm of Macs chair and
threw her arm around his neck, lean
ing her head against his in conhding
way that made a lump rise in Towards
throat, and he suddenly brought his
tale 70 an abrupt close.
At the table Elsie cut the big cake
and handed the first slice, with the
roses that had lain on top beside IL, TO
Howard. Mac laid his hand on How
ards knee under the table with n pres
sure that meant: "You have won her,
she will like you, and Howard felt his
heart throb as the grave eyes, now
sweet and tender, looked at him, and
the red lips smiled, as she wished him
as happy birthday as she was having.
Then came the evening games and
forfeits, and the kiss he hadn't had,
and he wondered II Mac was mistaken
and Elsie didn't like him after all He
was just as wide awake at three as he
was at twelve, and turn as he might,
her eyes looked up just as they did
when he bent 10 kiss her. Fallen in
love, do you say2 Well, perhaps so,
but he realized that she was Macs sis
ter, and IL she did not like him, would
1t not take Mac from him also? Sure
| ly, she was only child, but then Mac
had said she never changed. Irritated
and puzzled, yet with n great longing
for the good will Of this household
that had been so kind 10 him, he final
ly dropped asleep.
On entering the drawing-room next
morning he saw Elsie standing at the
farther end of the room looking out,
and he crossed 10 her, saying in his
CHEEKY voice: Good morning, Elsie;
rather dismal landscape, isn't it2
think it's pleasanter inside, with such a
bright fire, don't you?"
Eyes, indeed, do"
"Then turn this way and tell me IL
you think people ought. to pay their
debts when they can just as well as
not? l have very peculiar case in
mind, where payment has been
ovaded, and apparently no effort made
60 reach satisfactory settlement.
am In a quandary about II. What
would you do?'
lis IL debt 20 you?"
Eyes; and 1 cannot afford 70 lose IL
/ want it,"
The dark eyes flashed little as she
said: II would have IL il had to go TO
law. l think IL is dreadful thing for
folks 10 purposely keep other peoples
money, or anything that does not be-
long 10 them
This isn't exactly money, but IL be-
longs 20 me, all the same. am glad
you think as i do about il. When you
say anything that does not belong TO
them, IL includes kisses, of course, and"
"a wave of confusion went over Elsie's
face, and then n mischievous look in
her eyes, and at last she put her hand
llerchief TO her mouth 10 cover the
/
Her eyes sought the door as il she
wanted 10 escape; but no, Howard
stood in front OF her, and she could not
be so rude as 20 push him out of her
path. He was laughing, too, she saw
when she looked up, and her courage
grew as she said: That's outlawed,
and besides, II was April FOOLS day"
and the smile again dimpled her face.
~ have read some law, and there is
nothing in any Of the books about for
feits outlawing, and so OF course they
run right on; and as for the day, why,
am sure you would consider money
loaned on Sunday 10 be debt just as
much as IL II were contracted on Mon
day, though the law would not require
IL 10 be paid, for business must not be
done on Sunday, and any note made
that day would not be good"
"Oh! there comes Mac" and look OF
relief showed itself on her counten-
ance, for she seemed 20 have lost her
ready wit before this young man, who
could argue a case SO well. But she
turned again as they went out TO break
fast 10 ask very demurcly: "Who is
your collector, Mr.. Payne?'
Quick as thought came the answer:
"Mr. Howard Payne, and ifyou have any
bills TO be collected / should be glad il
you would put them into my hands.
promise prompt attention and quick
returns"
II agree 10 that, Howard; for know
when you want anything you get IL
some way, and when you once get hold
youn ever let 60, said Mac.
Now Mac and Elsie held lengthy
correspondence, and n jolly writer she
was, too, filling every inch on two
sheets OF paper with jokes and happen
ings and family sayings, so that IL was
almost like visit home TO receive one
OF her letters. Seeing how eager How
ard was TO hear, he allowed him 20
read them all. Once Howard sent her
little note asking II she would get a
III