The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-05-25

fh1 dtttoH& VIII niht u4oA ~
tentness.
This woman was Of marked per
sonalitv. Her iron-gray hair was
brushed back smoothly from broad,
low forehead. her black eyes were
we'll sunk under dark brows and
lashes. but flashed indolently from
time 10 time when she was speak
ing. The small. straight. relentless
mouth and nquiline nose gave note
of severity TO her face. Her charm.
il is likely, had existed i'm the con-
I tour and coloring of that face, ano
in a certpin easy self-reliance, Oh
consciousness or power Just now hes
face was inscrutably placid. She
spoke only In tones so low as 10 be
audible hut a short distance.
Across the room girl stood looking
idly, dreamily, from easement win
dow into the trees She was slender.
with mass OF reddish, golden curls
gathered back and fallen over her
/ shoulders. The profile revealed birth
and refinement. and suggested nobil-
ity high purpose and innate purity.
There was a wistful tenderness about
her mouth and soft radiance in her
blue-gray eyes when from time 10 time
she turned towards the group gath
cred about the sick man.
III am az loss. madam." the doctor
was saying. Ito account for his lack
/ Of Improvement There seems to be
nothing organically wrong, and yet
the nerve centers are totally inactive"
He picked up several medicine bottles
and examined them, testing their con.
tents by smell and sight. The tall
woman's eyes met his.
"He passed a restless night" she said,
laying her hands upon the sick mans
! forehead. There was considera bic
confusion in the city, and some one
just before daylight fired a pistol near
the house. This gave him a fearful
shock"
There Is much excitement in Rich
mono over T. .er sson movement
sGid Brodnar, land the police are far
too few for these times. What have
! you given him during the night?"
IL want my daughter to be present."
said the sick man. fretfully; II want
her to hear the will read before sign
It., doctor"
81 am here, papa" said the girl. COM
! ing slowly forward and standing quiet
~ near him. He looked into her face
long and intently, his own softening.
IL would suggest" said the doctor.
rising and addressing the elder wom-
an, that we leave them alone for a
few moments; he seems trfle bright
err just now" She fixed her black eyes
upon him steadily, and slight smile
moved the hard lines of her mouth.
ut would not do. Frances is excit-
able. and excitement is contagious"
But | am sure, madam"
at is useless. sir He relies upon me,
and is nervous il leave him for even a
minute" Her white hand fell in rhyth-
mic monotony upon the invalid's fore
head Presently he reached up impa-
tiently and pushed il away; but, watt
ing a moment. she resumed her caress-
lngs, and he made no further resist
ance.
II want my daughter TO hear il read"
he said, ENORMOUSLY, reverting to a
thought unspoken.
"Oh, / would not let her do that. sir"
said Brodnar. "You will not permit
that. madam!"
she shall hear it, said the woman.
at pleases him; and he has a good OBJ
jeot in IL. | am sure"
professional man who had been
writing at tide table now came for
ward and read the dying mans will, a
notary standing near. The latter eX.
changed Chances with Brodnar and
looked away, half smile upon his lips
| The document after the usual recita.
tions and the naming Of numerous
small legacies for family servants and
others. proceeded as follows:
And the residue Of my property, my
wife. Annette, having been amply pro-
vided for by deed OF gift during my
life. i bequeath 10 my daughter, Fran
ces Brookin, upon condition that she
shall, on or before attaining the age
OF 81 years, accept as her lawful hus-
band Raymond Holbin, who has asked
her hand Of me, my object being TO pro-
vide for the future of hayward girl
by giving her guardian who is in all
every confidence. But IL my said
Daughter Frances. fails or declines 10
marry the said Raymond Holbin with
in the limit Of her minority, or immedi.
ately after attaining her majority,
then / will and declare that all the
property named and described as the
residue OF my estate, after legacies
specified have been paid, shall vest in
my wife Annette the said Frances 10
become charge upon my estate dur
ing her life for sustenance and clothing
only, unless il happens that she enters
into marriage contract with some one
other than the said Raymond Holbin,
in which event the charge shall cease
and the estate be acquitted of all de-
mands from her. her heirs or assigns"
Absolute silence followed the read
ing OF the document. except that an ex-
clamation, half an oath, half a groan,