The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-03-14
CHAPTER xvL-CosrrsurD

Wilders' loss had created stirring
sympathy In the neighborhood. and
no ones kindly emotions were more
aroused than Mrs. Whitford's. Like
many others, too, this good lady had
suggestions 20 make, which, TO her In
tense disgust, nobody would pay seri-
GUS attention to. To her the solution
lay in nutshell. At Marquette was
a wise woman, an old crone, who told
fortunes and revealed the past and flu
turc. an exceedingly sagacious person,
who did roaring business In the
divination way.
To this ancient Sybil the worthy
dame resolved 10 go on her own nc
count and probe the mystery Of the
lost boy 10 its bottom, SO accordingly
she has impressed the corporals serv-
ices, and the twain have started for
Marquette, leaving the house in charge
OF jacob Gregson and Mr.. Dodd, who
do not seem To be having too pleasant
a time of IL.
Unaccustomcd TO the severity Of such
a season, they are sitting shivering
over the big stove, cursing with much
heartiness the intense cold and wish
ing themselves thousand miles from
the dcsolate country.
"That gold mine didn't pan out as
you expected" Mr.. Gregson cheerfully
observed. M
''No, snarled Dodd. "they knew too
much 20 bite"
''Bcen there too often, eh?"
"Guess So"
"Well, what's the next move?"
"Slkip."
II would II / were you. heard yes
terday of fellow who sailed mine
here once, an they caught him an sat
him down on red hot stove, an held
him there tin he confessed, an then
took him out an hanged him"
Ugh. The savsEes. Say, Jake, I'm
off as soon as IL Is dark"
''Sorry 10 lose you, Tony, but the
best of friends must part"
ssIts bad time 10 be hard up. Isn't
itqa
ut is" Gregson replied, impervious
20 the hint.
You'll let me have hundred dol
lars?r
Cant possibly"
Must. No bones about IL, say you
must"
IF thirty would do, Tony. could
manage It,"
'It viii have TO do, suppose" Dodd
said, without much expression of graft
tude In his tones.
.Well. then, I'll 60 TO my room an
get Il for you; an while I'm gone, just
mix us couple OF stiff glasses OF hot
grog, an let us try 10 thaw ourselves
out. My bones ache with the cold"
AS he turned his back Dodd's eyes
CLEANED with satisfaction.
The big whisky bottle was on the
table in minute thanked by glasses
and sugar bowl.
Mr.. Dodd was very careful In his
preparations.
First he mixed the sugar and spirits,
then poured on the boiling water and
added bitters-thcn, doubly anxious TO
crafty Mr.. Gregson's taste, he took
small phial from his pocket and poured
ten drops OF dark siruplilSc fluid into
that gcntlcmans glass. remarlSing to
himself with chuclxle:
'Thnt's good for twcnty-four hours
solid slumber, anyhow-now, see II /
cant improve the opportunity"
Gregson returned shivering but cheer
full.
Here you are, old boy. I've made
Il forty dollars, but IL viii be pull ON
me-"
you're a brick, Jake, and here's
your jolly good health"
"Saioe TO you, Tonyl" lie took long
draught as he spoke. BAH man.
you've put too much bitters In t."
"Fshawl It's more whisky you want.
Help yourself"
'Do you know" Grcgson said, ms he
took the hint. ''I'm deuced sorry you're
going away, Tony"
"You always had an affcctlonate dis
position, Jake" Dodd sneercd.
'sBut say, mate. you won't tc mp TO
no tricks with me; you won't be nosing
around New York after Elsie?"
"You forget. my dear fellow, that
shc's gives ms the slip. Haven't you
been trying for months 10 get her i'd
dress and failcd2"
That's 90. Have some moro punch
---don+ ait looking like a-what was