The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-12-05
PART III.
cHAPTER n.-CoNrrNur

well, L don't wonder! Here are all
she women asking me who is that good
looking Mephistopheles with the burn
ing eyes, who is prowling around my
rooms as II searching for n victim.
Why, you're smiling for all the world
nike poor Jim, when he used to do the
Red Ayenger."
Susy's voice, an illustration, recalled
him TO himself. Furious l may well
be-" he said, with gentIer smile. nl-
though his eyes still glittered, furious
that have TO wait Untilthe one woman
came 10 see, the one woman | have
not seen for so long, while these pup
pets have been nightly dancing before
hcr--can give me a few morcents from
them. TO talk of the old days"
In his reaction he was quite sincere,
although he felt slight sense of re-
morse as he saw the quick fairt color
rise, as i'm those old days, even through
the to-night's powder of her cheek.
.'That's like the old Kla'uns." shs sold,
with n slight pressure of his arm, "but
we will not have chance 10 ssealS
until late. When they are nearly all
gone you'll take me TO get little re-
freshmcnt, and wen have chat in the
conservatory. But you must drop that
awfully wicked look, and make your
self generally agreeable TO those wom-
en- until then"
IL was perhaps part Of this reaction
which enabled him TO obey his hostess
commands with a certain recklcssness
L.. - L. t,xr
with the previous Satanic reputation he
had. all unconsciously. achieved. The
women listened TO the cynical fippancy
of the good-looking soldier with an I'M
disguised admiration, which, in turn,
excited curiosity and envy from his
own sex. He saw the whispered ques-
tioning. the lifted eyebrows, the scorn-
full Struggling of shoulders-and knew
that the story of his disgrace wns in
the air. But / fear this only excited
him TO further reclslcssness and tri-
umph. Once he thought he recognized
Miss Faull<ner's figure at n distance,
and even fancied that she had been
watching him-but he only rcdoubled
his attentions to the fair woman beside
him, and looked no more.
But he was glad when the guests be-
gan TO drop off; the great rooms
thinned. and Susy. appearing on the
arm OF her husband, coquettighly re-
minded him of his promise. For i
want TO talk to you OF old times. Gen.
Brant," she went on, turning explana-
torily TO Boompointer, married my
adopted mother in California, at Robes,
q dear old place were spent my earli-
est years. SO you see we are sort OF
relations by marriage" she added, with
delightful naivete. IIooker's once vain
glorious allusion TO his relations 10 the
man before him flashed across Brant's
mind, but IL left now only smile ON
his lips. He felt he had already become
n part of the irresponsible comedy OF
life around him. Why should he resist
or examine it's ethics too closely? lie
offered his arm 20 Susy; they descended
the stairs; but instead of pausing in the
suppcr-room, she simplypassed through
IL with significant pressure OF his arm,
and drawing aside muslin curtain
stepped into the moonlit conservatory.
Behind the curtain there was n small
rustic settee; without releasing his arm
she sat down, so that when he dropped
beside her their hands met and mutual
ly clasped.
"Now, Kla'uns," she said with n
slight comfortable SILVER as she nestled
beside him. tits little like your chair
down at old Robles, isn't IL? Tell me.
And to think it's Ave years ago. But
Kln'uns. what's the matter? You arc
changed" she said, looking at his dark
face in the moonlight, 'or you have
something to tell me-"
II have"
"And it's something dreadful, /
know" she said. wrinltling her brows
with pretty terror. Couldn't you
pretend you had told IL 10 me and let us
go on just the same? Couldn't you.
Kla'uns? Tell me-"
II am afraid 1 couldn't" he said, with
a sad smile.
Us IL about yourself. Kla'unsy You
know" she went on with cheerful RAJ
pidity. 81 know everything about you
! always did. you lsnow-and ] don't
cnre and never did care. and IL don't and
never did nakc the slightest difference
20 me. SO don't tell 10 and waste time.
Kla'uns.s'
Its not about me-but about my
wife, he said. slowly.
Her expression changed slightly. 20.
herr" she said. after y pause. Then
half rcsigncdlys Go on. Kla'Hns."
lie began. lie had dozen times re-
h,arscd TO himself his miserable story.
Always feeling u kccnly. and even rear