The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-02-23

girl VINO was MS constant companion
on the links. and in all the walking
excursions OF their set. She II was
who wore his colors at the football
games. and waved them Loyalty
through defeat as well as victory. And
yet not a word OF love had passed be-
tween the two comrades. The perfect
faith had been too sweet TO exchange
for proof.
IL had not occurred TO Ethel that
Jack could be hurt in battle. After
he had gone. she once or twice al
lowed herself TO grow sentimental
over an imaginative grave in far
away Cuba. but there was no reality
in the picture. To come home
maimed-that had never occurred to
her!
The meeting was over. How had
Jack managed IT,? He had been kind,
deferential, everything good breed
ing and their long acquaintance de-
manded, but he had set up a barrier
between them which even she. not
at all given TO distrust greatly feared
could never be broken down.
Months passed. and never once had
they been alone. It had all been
managed so unobtrusively, Ethel was
quite sure no one, not even her moth
er, had noticed the fact. In her sore
heart she began TO doubt Jacks love.
At last she determined upon
strategy. She was most success
full mimic. and could assume her
brother Herbert's voice to perfec-
ton. At the last moment one even
ing she had excused herself from
family theater party on the plea of
headache. She was at the telephone
as soon as the carriage had driven
Off Then to the butler:
James, il Mr.. Archer calls to see
Herbert, / have a message for him.
II anyone else calls, / am not at
home"
eyes, brother told me to say how
sorry he was. He was called out just
after he telephoned. and as he knew
you would probably be on the way,
he left me to make his apology. And,
by the way. / only heard to-day OF
your engagement. / believe il isn't
announced yet. but we are such old
friends, you won't mind il / con-
graduate you now"
my engagement Ethel, you know
| that will never be-"
"Why not" The brown eyes were
wide with innocence. Could anyone
suspect that her heart was beating
like trip-hammer?
Jack drew in his breath hard.
Then he said. coldly: 81 beg your
pardon, Miss Bray. but l think you
yourself warned me once about the
matrimonial prospects of cripple"
ooh! j said women put strength
where men do beauty. and you are
strong nd-and-cruel!" Ethel was
fast losing her self-control. ''If a
man was in love with GIRL" she
went on. hurriedly. land some one
should throw vitriol at her--or--or
something, would he-not speak 10
her any more. and avoid her-and-
and-everything?"
Ethel had grown more and more
incoherent, and finished by sobbing
outright. Then she turned and would
have run out of the room, IL a strong
left arm had not held her.
Ethel, do you pity me?"
Il don't see why | should. I'm
the one TO be pitied."
The arm relaxed, but frightened
again as the voice went on:
'It-it's disgraceful TO make girl
proposel"
A good soldier knows when to
capitulate, and Jack had won the
brevets for bravery
And / thought you knew more OF
philosophy" Ethel said, later, "than
20 believe theory was ever intended
TO fit practice. IL may be true enough
to say that cripples are ineligible,
but II you are cripple--why, that's
Different"