The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-12-26

Joshua Warren, capitalist, who had
built IL just three years previously, and
1t owned neither ghost nor gallery
of -visaged ancestors. As a mat
ter OF fact, Mr.. Warren, albeit n quiet
man, and one not given TO boasting,
was rather proud of the fact that he
had neither n pedigree nor family
skeleton to keep him awake nights.
His principal desire, now that he had
made his fortune, WIS 10 enjoy life and
~ make those about him happy without
worrying his head about genealogical
trees or ways and means Of forcing him
self into the upper ten" On these
points his wife and their only daughter,
Madge. agreed with him-and being
pgreed, they succeeded in making the
most OF life. They were jolly entertain
crs, and always had n houseful, more
81 less, of company, usually u lot OF
young people, whom they preferred as
being more likely TO make things live
~; and during these particular holidays
they were housing at least dozen
young folks, ON account Of Madge, who
was TO be married in the middle of JAM
uary To VIII Braden.
There were all kinds Of jolly times
during that closing fortnight of the old
year. The sleighing was faultless, there
were lots OF social festivities at Cliveden
and neighboring houses, and there was
every opportunity in the world to drive
dull care away-yet Will Braden, de-
spite his approaching marriage with
quite the sweetest girl in the world, was
unhappy. Not all the time; for oc-
casionally Madge would devote TO him
an entire five minutes, all at once, there
by filing him with ecstacy-after
which, alas! she would neglect him for
hours together TO attend TO her duties
as hostess. whereupon he was plunged
into despair, and became gloomy and
sullen, much TO the amusement OF all
the rest, who called him Hamlet" be-
hind his back, and cracked jokes about
"grecn-eyed Monsters" and so on, TO
the mystification OF Mrs. Warren. who
earnestly insisted that poor. dear Will
lies" eyes were not green, but hazel.
But there was no doubt that Will was
Jealous, just as most young men are
likely TO be when the attentions OF the
ndored one are demanded in other quar-
tiers, even though by the laws of hos
pitality. lie told himself he didn't mind
II. but he did. What CALLED him partic-
ularly was the presence of that pedi-
greed prig from Philadelphia, Mr.. Mar
tindale, whom he had long suspected OF
snealling affection for Madge. who, by
the way, was particularly pleasant 90
him, not to say somewhat confidential
with him. For. at least half dozen
times. Will had seen them, apart
from the rest. talking in guarded
tones about something or other,
and at these times both had looked
very serious. IL was getting past en-
durance, decided Mr.. Bradcn. and he pro-
posed TO put stop TO IT, So when they
returned from their sleighing party. ON
New Years eve, he drew Madge, who had
seemed TO be flirting desperately all the
evening with Martindalc. into a recess
In the hall. where he proceeded TO pro-
test with much vigor against the treat
mcnt accorded him.
Madge laughed merrily, then pre-
tended to be offended. Don't be an
idiot. WILL" she said, sharply. II think
j know what I'm about"
"Hou know nothing OF the sort, OF
else you don't CARE" declared WIN.
with some heat. at seems to- me am
entitled TO some consideration. instead
of which you do your best 10 make me
feel badly and 10 make n laughing
stock OF me. Darling" he went on,
more gently. "this is the last year of
our single lives. Can't VIC watch II out
and the new one In just by ourselves.
since the New Year means so much 90
as both2''
Madge was touched. but for some In
scrutnbIe reason did not choose % let
him sec II just then. Don't be a spoon