The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1900-05-05
III.-CoSTINUED.
By Philip G. Hubert. Jr

When the noon bell rang / carried
Miss Robertson's books to the desk for
her and begged for few words with
her on her way to lunch.
About the umbrella?" she whis-
pered.
"No; about n more serious matter"
Miss Robertson looked startled, but
said nothing.
1t was an ideal spring day, and the
air was like a breath of heaven after
the tomb-like atmosphere of the libra
ry. We strolled along the old-fashioned
street in which the library is situated.
1t was hard matter to begin. Miss
Robertson said but little, waiting,
somewhat uneasily, for me, plunged
in, and / take some credit TO myself
for the delicacy with which / did it.
| began the story just as II she had
nothing TO do with it. / told her how
had been asked TO trace the person
who had palmed Off an old story upon
the Gazette, how had heard Of copy
of the Londoner in the Manhattan
library, and had finally discovered the
card bearing the name of the person
who had last taken out that copy of
the magazine. Miss Robertson had the
valuable faculty of assuming interest
In story whether or not she felt any;
her eyes grew big with excitement as
/ reached the climax. We had forgot
ten all about luncheon. What an
actress she wasl Not tremor of fear,
not even blush!
"And you actually found the card,
Mr.. SEYMOUR Well, do 60 on; what
was the name upon the card?"
yours" / said, slowly. / had TO be
cruel. to be kind.
mine" she exclaimed, with puzzled
smile.
UNFORTUNATELY, yes" Ny manner
was grave. Her smile fiickered and
lied out. Then suspicion of the truth
dawned upon her.
"Well-but-then IL my name was
upon that card--then you suspect
that / cheated your newspaper"
She had stopped walking, and was
very pale. But her dark eyes flashed.
"Oh!" she went on, without giving
one suspect me OF such a thing? You
don't know me, but you might have
known that l. This comes Of making
acquaintances in the street,"
Her tone was bitter, and her eyes
flashed scorn. She grasped the iron
railing in front of house, as il TO
keep from falling. / began inwardly
% curse myself for having even dared
to suggest her guilt by my looks, IL
not by my words. But found my
tongue.
Miss Robertson" / said, hurriedly,
"you say that l do not know you. |
know you well enough 10 have wished
with all my heart and soul to be of help
to you. / have not said that thought
you guilty of any wrong, or that
even suspected you. But here is your
name coupled with this wretched case.
In another hour / shall have left the
city and n professional detective will
be placed upon the case. He will find
this peculiar evidence. You can inn
aginc what you might have TO face
and what / wanted TO spare you. You
may have made my acquaintance in
the street, but, believe me, have done
you no harm. Everything have seen
about you / have liked-very much
too much for my own peace of mind.
II we meet again"
"Will you kindly leave me?" she said,
coldly. III must go back to my work.
I-never want TO see you again"
II am going" said, "and il is not
probable that we shall meet again.
/ am not given to intrudibg myself.
But IL we do meet again, try TO believe
that the young man whom you met in
the street did his best TO do you kind
ness. / may be fool, but wanted 20
help you. Good-by, and forgive me-"
l had not gone dozen steps when she
stopped me.
"Mr. Seymour" she said, quietly, and
with n vast dignity for so young girl,
"you may be right; perhaps l ought
to thank you. But can't--you ought"
here there was a suspicion of a sob
you ought to have known. can for
give you only when you find the thief
you are looking for. My father will
never forgive you"
She turned away with tho mir OF an
offended queen. But fancied caught
the echo OF another faint sob, and that