The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-02-06


and always when she looked he with
drew his gaze from her.
'What a kowerful built fellow he 49,"
went her thoughts. What yillainous
countenance. One can see he Is des-
perate fellow. How foolish / was TO let
my watch and rings be scent lam sure
he is looking at my ring"
Now the ring was a beautiful dia-
mond. given TO iona by her mother, and
iona, with a disregard Of conventionali-
| ~, wore ii on her finger which is usual
ly set apart TO carry the signal OF en-
gagement. Therefore, his thoughts
were Engaged! Well, don't won
der. she surely is the loveliest girl ever
saw. l wonder who the happy fellow
| is. What can be the matter with her,
| though? She doesn't look bit like she
did the first part of the day. I've no
tiou 20 speak to her; an American girl
isn't likely TO be so squeamish as a
native-here goes"
az beg your pardon" he said aloud.
"You look wearled. Do you 60 much
further"
"An Englishman wouldn't speak with
| out an introduction" thought iona, ''if
he hadn't some design"
II was some time before the question
was answered. for she was making n
calculation whether II she should tell
him that her journeys end was near
he would be likely 90 make the best
of his time, and attack her Immediately,
or whether he might perhaps abandon
his purpose altogether. So that, as |
said, some time had elapsed in the un-
certainty when she said:
81 don't know, sir"
"You have never been in this part OF
the country before he said, tenta-
lively.
She answered i'm brief monosyllables
to this and several other remarks, and
he, perforce, relapsed into silence.
"He wants to make me talk and throw
me off my guard" thought IONA, again
attempting to open the window, and
this time with success. Soon the dark
ness increased, and the hollow rumbling
told that the train had entered tun-
mel. With the echoes laundering In
her ears, Zonas nerves were strained
|
her companion. All at once she felt
sharp sting, and a shrek from her
mingled with the yell OF the engine
as it gave vent to its JOY ut emerging
into the daylight again. The man was
at her side.
81 beg pardon for intruding; are you
?" he asked, anXiously.
iona thought his anxiety was caused
Ivy fear lest the guard might have heard
her scream. At the same time she be
came conscious that the pain was in hei
right eye. A cinder from tho open win
dow had lodged in IL. IF you will LEI
me-" said the stranger, producing from
his pocket a handkerchief.
"Chloroform flashed through Zona''
brain, and she shrieked out. mo! dom
come near me-"
"Poor thing!" thought the would-b'
Samaritan. "She must suffer dread
fully"
Then aloud al am sure IL you would
only"
mo. tell YOU" said Zona, vehement
ly, with stamp OF her foot.
. The man subsidized into his corner, ant
iona, with her eye fast swelling, bit
terly repented her temcrity in taking
the journey.
Ell never travel alone again! oh
dear / don't suppose III ever trave
at all again. have laughed at dea
mamma, and thought her fussy.
ought 10 have considered that she knew
the world better than l."
And then came n long whistle. TIL
man in the corner rose, snatched NJ
, his satchel. the guard unlocked tn
} door-"Newcastle, ma'am; you're Il
! your journeys end" and he picked NJ
her valise.
! VIII iona Sheldon ever again know
: such sense of relief, or Will any othe
face ever be so welcome 20 her MS wa
: that Of the burly guard, as he mad
this announcement TO her2 She wa
i safely on the platform. and n coach
man narrowly watching the passengers
stepped up 10 her, saying, 'Mr. Now
: bray's carriage for Miss Sheldon"
81 am She" she said in voice whic
her mother would not have recognized
+ LET me have your valise, then" sal
+ the coachman, extending his hand.
Z He opened the door, a1d iona, steppin
: into the carriage, sank back on IN
< cushions and burst into hystcrica
r tears.
/, The man who had been in the corner
e standing with his satchel in his hano
gave a low whistle as the sight met hi
e gaze through the window. Wall<in
I forward TO the coachman, he said
: Give me lift, Riley; guess I'll rid
q with you"
+ "All right, Mr.. John" said the coach
man. lifting up the satchel. Com
:. down from Edinbro, sir?'
r mot directly, Riley. Let me dow
J. ri the gate, and don't tell them Nv
o come. want to have bit of joke wit
4 them"
"Hall right, sir"
$50 that Is the travelling young lad