The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-10-17

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was angry with himself for specu-
ing further. But, although he stillst
toward her the same antagonism L
bad at first provoked. he was conscis
that she was beginning 10 exercise
strange fascination on him.
Diminishing her ut last with an eft,
he finished his work and then rose d
unlocking a closet took out a small &
patch box to which he intended to-
trust a few more important orders al
memoranda AS he opened il VITA
key on his watch chain he was st1fS
with a faint perfume that seemedo
come from it--a perfume that he
membered. Was it the smell of .e
flower that Miss Faulkner carried-r
the scent OF the handkerchief VII
which she had wiped his cheek-Sa
minglng of bothi Or was he uIrr
some Gabolical spell of that wretqd
girl-and her witch-lilxe flower? BE
leaned on the box and suddenly stnrd.
| Upon the outer covering Of dispth
was n singular blood red streak! lie
examined it closely IL was the pv-
derry stain of the lily exnly
as he had seen il on her handlSerchio
There could be no mistake. re
passed his hand over the stain1le
could still feel the slippery, impalpae
powder of the pollen. IL was not tire
when he had closed the box that mO-
ing, IL was impossible that IL shoulCe
there unless the box had been oped
dnring his absence. He reexaminedhe
contents of the box, the papers wcrSll
there. More than that--they werea-
pers OF no importance except TO IN
personally; contained no plans nor w
TO any military secret; he had beenkr
too wise TO intrust any TO the accides
of this alien house. The prying J.
truder, whoever IL was, had gaiid
nothingl But there was unmistah-
bly, the attempt And the existencef
n would-be spy within the purlieuaf
the house was equally clear.
He called an officer from the NIT
room. HAS anyone been here since .y
absence?"
No, general"
HAS anyone passed through ie
hall?"
He Ind fully anticipated the ansvN-,
rs the subaltern replied: "Only ie
women servants"
He rcentercd his room. Closing ie
door, he again carefully examined lie
box, his table, the papers upon il. tc
chair before IL, and even the Chinse
mating on the floor. for any furtlr
indication OF the pollen. IL harry
seemed possible that anyone could hte
entered the room with the flowerhn
their hand without scattering somef
the tell-tale dust elsewhere; IL was 10
large flower to be worn on the brett
or In the hair. Again. no one VOID
have dared to lingcr there long enorfh
10 have made an examination OF lie
box-with an officer in the next rooi
and servants passing. The box had ben
removed and the examination mae
elsewhere.
An idea seized him. Miss Faullkrr
was still nbscnt-the mulatto had p-
parcntly gone home. He quickly mout-
ed the staircase, but. instead of enterig
his room, turned suddenly aside ito
the wing which had been reservl.
The first door yielded, as he turned he
knob gently. and he entered roam
which he at once recognized as he
young lady's boudoir." But the duty
and draped furniture had been arranrd
and uncovered, and the apartment BID
every sign of present use. Yet, j.
though there was very evidence OF rs
being used by n person OF taste and e.
finement, he was surprised TO sec tft
the garments, hanging in the opn
press, were such as were used by neao
servants. and that gaudy handk,r-
chief. such as housemaids use for tir-
bans. was lying on the pretty sillan
coverlet. lie did not lingcr over thtse
details. but cast rapid glance romd
the room. Then his eyes became fSd
on fanciful writing desk which sto,d
by the window. For i'm n handsome
vase placed on it's level top and drodo-
Ing on portfolio below hung n clustr
of the strange flowers that Miss Faul,
i.er had carried.