The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-09-18

uOnS, INFER, are premature. HOWEVER,
you may rest assured OF mine, II you
consider them of moment"
The done in which she spoke gave no
betrayal of the conflict she endured, and
at the words Bell started forward.
'IIow kind OF you, uear cousin, 70
share my happiness" but something,
unnoticed by the man, warned her 20
say no more-to draw back chilled, she
could scarce tell why, and send the mo-
mentary impulse Of affection back TO- its
fountainhead. A shadow of underlined
dread crept over her; not even her low
cr's kiss, with his promise 10 return
early in the morning that the important
interview might be accomplished, could
dIssipate a shadow which took visible
form, as on the following day she was
summoned from the breakfast room 10
her uncle's study, and met her cousin
just leaving IL with an expression OF
triumphant assurance she was unable
TO conceal.
With unusual urbanity, after careful
~ closing the door, Mr.. Fielding mo-
toned her 20 a seat.
81 hear" he began, clearing his throat,
that Mr.. Armstrong has asked you TO
become his wife. This both amazes and
pains me. Amazed because you certain
ly must have conducted your courtship
with unbecoming secrecy, and panied
because it forces me into disclosures
which will make this marriage an inn
possibility"
/ The shadow had fallen now. She felt
| II suffocating her, but she awaited the
rest in silence.
"IIad your hand been sought by one
/ whose name was OF less lustre, and
whose birth, station, and immense
wealth forced him to less necessarily
maintain it, / might have kept silent.
Now cannot consistently do so, there
fore must tell you your father is not
dead, as you have supposed, but still
lives, fugitive from justice!'
Lives! My father! Thank Godl"
From her white lips broke the cxclama-
don Of gratitude, unheeding the barrier
which had forbidden all these years his
acknowledging himself 10 his child.
Il will not here speak OF the character
OF his offense, save that the clemency OF
continued, restlessly pacing the floor, as
though even his hard nature shranlI
from his self-appointed task. His eyes
were glancing over at the white, suffer-
ing face Of the girl he was stabbing
with each word. at only remains for
me TO apprise Mr. Armstrong of these
facts to induce him at once 10 renounce
your hand OF his own accord, or in
mercy to your pride inform him you
have repented too hasty decision and
wish TO be free. Which course will you
choose2"
"Sir, your blood is in my veins. The
question is therefore scarcely neces-
sary. i shall never see Loring Arm
strong sgain. Word IL as you will, only
if IL be true that my father lives,
would share his exile, aye if needs be
his disgrace. Write him it is my wish
and gain quickly his consent"
mo letter could reach him. As soor
as possible / will let him know of your
desire"
Slowly Bell rose and left the room
wondering if years had not elapsed
since hast she had entered IL. A dul
wonder took possession OF her in th,
weeks that followed as TO why her love
50 calmly had accepted her sudden re
lection of his suit. She did not know
faint hope had tempered the first force
of the blow, the hope that he woul,
break down any barrier, leap any oh
stacle which might prevent his claim
ing her for his own. But since the fey
} brief hours they had spent together
when he had won her promise, he hat
: vanished. Not even Mays wiles coul,
! draw him TO her side since he had dis
: appeared from their midst. So. sit
ting alone and weary, she was startle'
; one evening, as the first snow lay upoi
Z the ground, by the entrance OF n stran
ger. Gray hairs mingled with tn
brown, but as he stood silent one me
: ment before her thrill OF cNpectatio
gave her a premonition OF the futur,
J and when he opened his arms with TIA
] talismanic words my daughter" sh
] sprang to their embrace. But as he r,
] leased her, another stood waiting, a
! Loring Armstrong said:
''Ilave | won my reward. Belle"
CHANGING for one moment INTO IN
I noble features Of the parent she had los
I SO long. and failing 10 read one sig
? which should proclaim him capable G
G wrong, che could no longer hesitate, q
!. with rapturous bliss she felt herse
a once more embodied in her lovers arm
n Nor did he let her go when her uncl
y was summoned 20 their presence, $
d changed, SO white, so fear~stricken thf
= she could but feel n thrill of pity M he
! heart. pity which made her plead b
q cause when the sad truth was unfolde'
the truth that TO save him her ow
e father had assumed his crime. n
forgery OF n note. True 20 a promis
e made to his mother on her death-bed
e protect n younger brother. he had gor
4 forth a wandcrer, leaving home an
= child--even his wealth--for the guilt