The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-08-28

She turned still farther from him
and he made an involuntary step TO-
ward her when she leaned over the edge
OF the rock Then he saw that she was
shaking with suppressed laughter, and
penitence very nearly became wrath.
"Why are you laughing at meT he
demanded.
Because you're so ridiculous" she
retorted. facing him suddenly. What
makes you talk as If Mr.. Thorndyke be-
longed to me? What right have you TO
think that he is anything more than
friend OF my fathers, like-like your
self? How do you know that he isn't
engaged to the young lady in New York
who writes 20 him every week?"
Protheroe made a praiseworthy at
tempt 10 be coherent, but IL ended
rather tamely. ''Then you-then l
have been mistaken all along in think
ing--Elsie, please come away from that
cliff and tell me you forgive me-"
II won't-not till you catch me-"
And, with a mocking laugh in which
there was more JOY than derision, she
slipped over the edge OF the rock and
was nearly out of sight in the path be-
low before Protheroe gathered enough
presence of mind TO accept her chal-
lenge. The chase was short and vigor-
GUS, and when IL was ended the process
of forgiveness appeared TO be some
what abstruse and complicated, judg-
ing from the time which elapsed before
the young man and the maiden present
ed themselves in the cave of the noun
taineer.
Kilgrow took the news OF his good
fortune with a serene complacency
born of "a happy ignorance OF money
values.
"Thess SOS Z they-all II femme alone,
Is all keer," he said, and they had some
trouble in making him understand that
his presence was needed at the farm
house. Loving and trusting Elsie, he
went willingly when he understood
what was wanted of him; and on the
way back 10 the valley he was mindful
enough OF his own long-buried youth
to keep well out Of earshot OF the two
young people, 10 whom the return jour
ney was only too short.
The afternoon sun was shining slant
wise over the neck of the Bull when
they reached the house, and after the
reticent and embarrassed mountaineer
had run the gauntlet OF congratula-
ton Thorndyke took him up to the
attic bedroom.
"You understand that I'll have TO go
10 New York to collect this money" he
began, when he was alone with his
client. what am / TO do with IL, and
how much shall keep out for my fee?"
A smile Of child-hlSe surprise flick
cred for n moment on the withered face
Of the old man. Fer you-uns' pay?--
l thort / done toll We bout that thar,
long back yonder at the fust. lowed
TO you-uns then thatef so be ye cd raise
me SO 1000 out'n hit"
''But that's sheer nonsense, you
know" protested Philip. II should be
treating you worse than the others to
take such an advantage"
"Barg'in's q barg'in," insisted Kill
grow, firmly.
1T wasn't a bargain, but I'll tell you
what | will agree TO; I'll divide this
money equally with you"
"Iow much d. We reckon that d be?''
Fifty thousand dollars apiece"
The sum was still too large TO be COM
prehensible to Kilgrow, and Philip
sought 10 help him. IF you put your
share into government bonds, the in
terest would be about 81 800 n year"
The oldmans in perplexed silence re-
volving his hat slowly in his thin hands
81 reckon l cayn't figure hit out eff
try" he said, after n little. 81 wisht
you-uns d do whatsomever we thinks
right weth hit"
"rll invest il for you, II you like, and
the interest can be sent 20 Duncan"
81. reckon thatll be all right" Xii.
| grow rose and moved toward the door
stopping on the threshold TO ask 4
question that troubled him more than
the disposition of his newly-acquired
| fortune. Eye reckon them fellers Is
plum shore Z femme alone, now, air
YEP"
why, certainly. The things done
and settled, and they've no more reason
TO prosecute you now than IL you'd
never owned the land"
Thank We; that's what keer fer
more'n the money. ID ye low yen put
hit In them thar bon's2"
THAT will be the safest investment
for you"
i There was another pause and more
searching for the few common factors
| OF speech. I'm gettin' sort a. tol'able
oil, these days, an they amt nobody ter
come after me; reckon they amt no
way we cd fix hit so't the little ga
mought git hit wen I'm th'oo weth
| hlt?"
"You mean Duncan's daughter2"
| Kilgrow nodded.
why, yes; 1 can buy the bonds In
her name, IL you wish"
Thank We; that thar's what rs pint
in at" He nodded gravely and left the
room. coming back again presently "a
hold out his hand across the table "a