The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-03-06
"oh, thank YOU. Yes. ! try my hand

only give you the incidents as far as
know them, SO you would have TO make
your own conclusion. Above all, IL has
the merit of being true. Shall ] give you
the incidents?''
IF you would be so kind, / should be
extremely grateful"
"Then here you are. BY curious CO..
incidence, your name is that of the
heroine, and IL is that fact which has
recalled everything to my mind"
Hnrdinge proceeded with his tale. He
dared not look at his visitor as he re-
morselessly went On; perhaps il was
well he did not do so, as the indescriba-
bile agony which overspread her features
would have acted upon his chiyalrous
instincts and forced him TO stop. But
as he did not look in her direction he
did not notice this, and cruelty COM
menced:
"Some years ago-I forget how many
"a young fellow, who was my chum at
Oxford, spent his vacation at Milfield,
a little village in the north. While there
Fred-Fred Cover was his name-met
and fell in love with the wears daugh-
ter, Annie Raleigh. They became en-
gagged. and shortly afterward he went
out TO India, in order TO represent his
fathers business house in Calcutta.
"For some months n correspondence
passed between the two, but at length
Fred received word from some friend
in the village that the sources son was
paying close attentions to Miss Raleigh,
and il was rumored that they were en-
gagged TO be married. In fit OF pas
sion, Fred wrote, breaking off the en-
gagement, even before he received any
corroborative evidence. The lady was
either stung by the letter, or the rumor
was correct, as she did not reply, and
from that day he has never seen or
heard OF her. He did not make any in
quiries, he did not write to his in
formant, but simply waited at Call
cutta until he had set the business
affairs in order. He then went off into
the hills, intending to lose himself
there, and cut himself off from all
things which would bring to mind his
unfortunate love.
Poor fellowl 1 often wonder what
has become OF him. Tic has not writ
ten 20 any of his old friends, and is, |
suppose, almost forgotten by all. But
really, Miss Raleigh" he added, turn
ing 10 her and noticing her agitated
countenance, you don't look well. Can
| get anything for you?"
mo. thank you. Mr.. Hardinge. But
no doubt you will think me foolish
your story has quite upset me-"
~ am awfully sorry. would not have
related il had known. But why should
il upset your"
We'll" said the lady, her pale lips
trembling, 81 am the Annie Raleigh you
have been speaking of. Fred Cover
was my lover. Poor Fred" she added,
meditatively, land all through a mis-
understanding"
"a misunderstanding? said Har-
dinge, in an incrcdulous tone. "IIow
was that? Pardon my curiosity, but
no doubt you will understand why
should be curious"
"Well, as you were friend of his, and
knew one part Of the story, perhaps il
would be as we'll II you were acquainted
with the other part" She sighed deep
~ and went on: at is true that the
squire's son did pay me attentions. We
were busily engaged in organizing some
amateur theatricals at the time, and as
we were both taking prominent parts
we were thrown into each others So
ciety a great deal But was entirely
faithful TO Fred, and when Hinton did
make love TO me / promptly gave him
| his answer.
But, / am sorry TO say, the idle
tongues Of the villagers had already
commenced wngging. and heard some
of the rumors. Then Fred's petulant
letter came, and felt so piqued and of
Tended at his suspecting me that did
not answer. At length the feeling
wore Off, and / wrote, explaining all
But the letter never reached it's des.
tinntion and was returned to me
Twelve months later my father died
and gradually / was forced 10 adopt
some means Of obtaining a living. and
always having n taste for literature,
have tried to make my way in the lit
erary world. Poor Fred, his petulance
/ uhu NY pIlut Iuintu TWO llNtb, an
afraid. But, Mr.. Hardinge," she said
raising her sweet blue eyes, now suf-
fused with tears, 81 have remained
faithful TO my lovers memory"
"For heavens sake. Annie, look al
mel" cried Hardinge, springing TO his
feet and Selling her hand. "Do you not
recognize me? DO you not know my
voice?"
Startled and surprised, the lady rose
and, prompted by sudden impulse
gazed into his eyes. She paled, drew
back. and then. in voice OF mingled
agony and delight. cried:
1T is-are my eyes deceiving mel
no. il cannot be-Fred Cover Is dead
and yet-oh, merciful heaven--it isl
and in n ne of passionate tears she threw
herself upon his breast.
Hardinge-or rather Gower--presset
her closer 20 him. and in n sweet, low