The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1900-02-10

coast, with all the wonders and treas
ures Of it's yicinage, as well as Stanton
knew New York or Brooklyn. lie gave
him more entertaining and valuable in
formation In FIVE minutes than he had
often obtained at the club in an en-
tire evening
He knew Stanton, too, and said some
very clever things about him, but he
said them in such clever way that
they were not at all offensive. lie
didn't stop the moment he had said
them and bow and smirk and wait on
broad grin till Stanton had succeeded
in saying something equally silly In
contradiction or reciprocation.
Stanton smiled as he sat contentedly
listening, and commented with him
self: IF he were to digress to insur-
ance, now, and ask me to take out n
policy in one of his companies, / pre-
sumo | should do it," But Mr.. Ray
mond did not digress. lie hardly men
| toned insurance again. Speaking of
minerals, however, he said that he had
brought on a fine collection; il was at
the hotel, and If Stanton cared 10 walk
|
he should be glad TO show IL.
The collection proved thoroughly en-
tertaining, and when, in the course of
conversation upon il, the subject OF
California wines was touched, ii APP
peared that Raymond had brought on
some choice samples OF these, too, in
proof of pet theory that with proper
care in preparation, and proper age,
the vineyards of the Pacific could be
made to rival the vintage Of the world.
While he was speaking of II he poured
out glass of the wine. This was a
little different; for among other social
habits which Stanton had never con-
tracted was the habit of drinking.
81 have very rarely tasted wine, and
should be no judge" he said, in an eff
fort courteously TO decline; but when
Raymond gently but firmly insisted,
ii occurred to him that there was some
thing of a social duty in accepting hos
pitality, after he had been accepting so
much other entertainment, and he
drank the wine, much as he would have
taken out a policy in one OF the insur-
ance companies.
Unacquainted as he was with wine,
Stanton was forced to admit that II
was wonderful product. Before he
realized what he was doing, he had
lighted fresh cigar and made himself
comfortable in one of Raymond's up
holstered arm-chairs.
1t seemed but a moment later when
he opened his eyes with start and a
confused chagrin at the conviction that
he had actually dropped asleep while
Raymond was talking; but his eyes
once open rested full upon Sam, who
was laying his morning mail upon his
dressing case, and over Sans shoulder
upon the clock, which declared that it
was after ten.
Six days out Of seven Stanton entered
his Office on the stroke of nine, and this
was not the seventh day.
Seeing that Sam had noticed his open
eyes, he simply remarked: IL am
ready for my bath, SAM" but when
the man went out to prepare il, the
young lawyer rose slowly and stood
looking into his own face in the mirror,
as though he might learn from il some
thing which he very much wished to
know.
Society" he muttered, in unutter-
able disgust, and began slowly poking
the letters about that he might read the
postmarks.
1t is pleasant TO have broad shoulders
upon which to lay the burden of cur
shortcomings, even the overloaded
shoulders of society.
One letter attracted his attention,
more from its weight than from the
fact that the handwriting was Miss
Lombard's. II nad evidently been de.
livered by messenger. He opened il
mechanically and held in his hand Miss
Lombard's card and their diamond en-.
gagement ring-nothing more.
us il broken, / wonder?" he nut.
tered, slowly turning the ring over, be,
: fore il dawned upon him that il was the
, engagement, not the ring, which was
obviously the broken thing.
: A creature OF instinct, following in.
: stinct, he stretched himself, yawned
and went into the bathroom, saying e
himself: THANK heaven, there'll b,
no more society, no more clubs, nj
more wine, for me-"
AS Sam was leaving the bathroom
Stanton turned upon him and asked
abruptly: "Was brought home drunl
last night, Sam?"
Too sharp a question or commanC
had always bewildered Sam, and always
would. A man often speaks the trutl
when he is bewildered. Sam muttered
Yes, sir" and then wished he had de
, MED IL.
!. did the Lombards bring me home 2
}. "Yes, sir" said Sam; and, as Their,
: was nothing more, he went out TO kicl
= himself about for the rest of the day.
At the Office Stanton found n lette
q from the elder Lombard. lie half cx
I pected il. lie swung his chair into tn,
> best light and made himself secure il
1 the seat before he opened it; but ii wa
very short. He read: