The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-06-15
CoNTINuEp.


ting him into.the sanctity Of her room,
she had dropped a veil Of iridescent
gossamer, and within that room, seen
only through the veil, the man lived
and reigned and had his kingdom.
Through this veil, too, stirred by the
breath of the suffering and the dying
of his own country, he spoke gently,
tenderly 10 her in the lonely hours Of
her vigils. The other Richard had
been dismissed not harshly or hastily,
not in anger, but sadly--a man un-
worthy; a man at war with the truth
and nobleness of her nature and at war
with her people. No one knows how
such fctions come about, but the
hearts Of most women carry them.
And time had helped Frances, for
looking back she re-established many
vital facts that lessened the sadness OF
memory; the man must once have been
noble-his deeds Of mercy and gentle
ness proved that; innately noble he
must have been when she met him, for
in the face OF great temptation he
had kept his promise 10 his friend, even
TO the extent Of shutting his eyes
: against the girl whose arms had been
5cui him whose lips breathed love for
1him. And somewhere, despite all the
trickery, there was still nobility, for
silently he had ridden away. faithful
10 his friend. He had lain under her
hands wounded by the pistol shot, and
no woman ever hated helpless, suffer-
ing man. IS for hi, lsceptions his
plots. some fearful necessity must have
compelled him. The other woman?
She had been too base for him-she had
been al heart a murderess. She il was
who had dragged him down. And was
he not caring for the child? Frances
would not have admitted IL 70 herself
had she realized 1t, but in the depths
OF that heart she had forgiven Richard
Somers. Her heart was Big cnough 20
hold him and al his weakness. Was
there Joss Of something from her ma
ture? Or was there a gain?
No message had ever Gene TO her
from Somers, no good or evil report.
None? Yes, just a scrap soon after the
war began. From some one, Brodnar,
probably, since his name was upon il,
she had received a northern paper Civ
ing in its war gossip information that
Richard Somers had been reinstated in
the army and promoted TO be captain
of artillery.
But one day early in the spring Of
1862, when the great federal movement
against Richmond was beginning and
when every train was bringing in a
bloody harvest. she leaned aooye a
wounded enemy. Tie question often
asked, 10 what command co you be-
long?" drew forth an answer that
filled her with excitement. She felt
her heart begin 10 beat madly and her
limbs yielding 10 a sudden excitement.
Your captain! What is his name ?"
Richard Somers, miss!" How
strangely thrilling sounded the name
that morning! II was the first time
she had heard il spoken since it's bear
er had said among the pickering shad-
ows Of her room: III to carry ia mem
DRY the living record Of one face Will
help you, take mine, and with it, right
or wrong, the love Of Richard Somers."
The scene, never dimmed in all the
months that had passed, stood forth
again, illumined like some strong pie
ture under the swift magic of the light
ming. The wounded man saw in her
face the glow Of its reflection. Tri-
umph shone in her eloquent eyes a
sudden agitation locked the soft white
hands
DO You know him. miss?"
81? Yes yes j. he WELLS he safe ?"
The man read more than she suspected,
and turned his eyes away embarrassed
He was singu.arly helpless from his
wounds, and she had his face at her
mercy. Her woman's instinct dis
cvrned his thought; her lips moved
without sound, but her soul was in the
appealing look riveted upon him.
II think-not." he said reluctantly,
at last. "In fact | know that he--is
wounded"
"Deadl-you meant" she gasped in
the struggle TO conceal her anguish.
NO. miss-not exactly that; but bad
~ wounded-very badly, ] am afraid. I"
"Where Is hep" She made no effort
then to conceal the truth. She was on
her knees. her eyes close TO his. In
Gods name, my friend, tell me-tell
me al. cant you see can you see
She covered her face. unable 20 con
tinue.
II can only tell you what I know,
miss. lie was not dead when saw him
last. Our guns were in the line when
the charge came. The line was broken
at both hanks. and the yelling confed-
crates we're swarming about IS. Every
horse we had wa down, when word
came for US 20 look out for ourselves.
and back we went 10 escape capture
what was left Of Us. Well, miss, some
body said then that No. had been
left -double-shotted with can
lister: the man AZ the lanyard had fall
en- dead just as he lifted his hand 10
pull. And so the gun stood. ready 70
be turned upon US. Then Capt, somers
halted and looked about FOR some one
to send back; but | think. miss, he
a n ID