The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-09-26
PART /.
CoPyRiCHr. 1909. o.
BRET HARTH.

CHAPTER IV.-CoNTINUED.
She tripped out into the passage,
returning with the tray which she put
on the table beside Clarence, and then
standing back a little and with her
hands tucked soubrette fashion in the
tiny pockets of her apron, gazed at
him with "A miscellaneous smile.
1t was impossible not TO smile back
rs he nibbled the crisp Mexican cake
and drank the old mission wine And
Susy's tongue trilled an accompani-
ment to his thanks.
Lord! IL seems SO nice 20 be here
Just you and me, Clarence-like in the
old days-with nobody naggin' and
snoopin' round after you. Don't be
greedy, Clarence, but give me a cake"
She took one and finished the dregs of
his glass.
Then, sitting on the arm of his chair,
she darted violet ray of half reproach
and half mischievousness into his
amused and retrospective eyes. There
used TO be room for two in that chair,
Llarns"
The use OF the old childish diminu-
tive for his name seemed to him as
natural as her familiarity, and he
moved little sideways 20 make room
for her with an instinct Of pleasure,
but the same sense OF responsibility
that had characterized his reflections.
Nevertheless, he looked critically into
the mischievous eyes and said, quietly:
where is your husbandP"
There was no trace OF embarrass-
ment, apology or even OF conscious
ness in her pretty face, as she replied.
passing her hand lightly through his
aair:
20, m?--rve packed him OFT"
Packed him OH" echoed Clarence,
slightly astonishcd.
"Ycs-to Fair Plains-fu tilt after
''our wife's buggy. You see. Clarence,
after the old cat--that's your wife,
pleasc--left, l wanted TO make sure
she had gone, and wasn't hangin'
round TO lead you off again. with your
leg tied 20 her apron string, like n
chickens! Mol said TO Jim: Just
you ride after her until you see she's
safe and sound in the down coach from
Fair Plains. without her KNOWN IL,
md IL she's inclined To hang back or
wobble any, you post back here and
,et me know!' 1 told him would stay
and look after you. 70 see you didn't
bolt, too" She laughed and then
added But ! didn't think | should
fall into the old ways so soon, and have
such "a nice time. Did you, Clarence"
She looked so irresponsible sitting
there with her face near his and so
childishly or perhaps thoughtlessly
happy, that he could only admire her
levity, and even the slight shock that
her fiippant allusion TO his wife had
given him seemed TO him only weak
ness of his own. After all was not hers
the true philosophy? Why should not
these bright eyes see things more clear
ly than his own? Nevertheless, with
his eyes still fixed upon them, he con
tinued:
"And Jim was willing 10 go?"
She stopped, with her fingers still
lifting n lock OF his hair. "Why, yes,
you silly-why shouldn't he? I'd like
TO see him refuse. Why. Lord, Jim
will do anything | ask him" She put
down the lock of hair. and suddenly
looking full into his eyes said: That's
just the difference between him and
me and you and-that woman!"
"Then you love Limp"
"About as much as vow love her"
she said, with an unaffected laugh.
"only he don't wind me around his
finger"
No doubt she was right, for MI her
thoughtlesencss. and yet he was going
10 fight sbout that woman tomorrow
Eol-he forgOt-hc was going TO fight
Capt. Pinckney because be was like
herl
Susy had put her finger OIL the crease
between his brows which this suppose
ton had made, and tried to rub IL out.
"You know II as well as / do. Clar-
encc," she said, with pretty wrink.
ling of her own brows, which was her
nearest approach TO thoughtfuIness.
"You know you never really liked her,
only you thought her ways were grand
er and more proper than mine. and you
know you were always little bit OF
q snoh and prig too. dear boy! And