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

ger Ii all!- She Wv him into a
bay window. where they began an an
mated discussion. Brodnar had but
one free moment but In that moment
he acted. The girl had been left
standing by her fathers side. She
alone caught the ser ience whispered
TO her by the physic' nm; her eyes fol-
lowed him ms he wa lsed slowly away
and then returned to rest upon the
sick man. Gazing into his wan face,
all her tenderness came back. Sudden
ly she sank by his side and clasped
her hands upon his knees.
"Fatherl" she said, gently, zone
wordl win you let me speak now?
We may be parting for all eternity"
He opened his eyes and looked stead
lily upon her.
at is for eternity" he said. And
then, somehow, his hand found her
head and rested there gently. "You
are proud, Frances, and hurt, but the
time will come when you will know
that have acted for the best"
"Oh, you think so" she said, shak-
ing with half-suppressed emotion and
hiding her face. II know you think
so. But"
Listen, Frances! You have cous-
In whose name has long since ceased
TO be spoken in my family. She was
proud-and wayward--and headstrong,
too. You are very like her as she was
when her fathers will made her my
ward--as she was when she passed
away"
"She is dead?"
"Yes, to us" he waited for breath
and strength 10 proceed. "A husband
would have saved her. She had a
right under the will--to choose-her
residence. a foolish aunt received her.
| She followed her own fancy"
81 would rot talk OF il. father. II
exeites you"
"I musti She was always needless
of advice-seFf willod-Je jealous .tad
then he-disappeared leaving a
note-and disgrace! | let her go.
| She Is dead 20 mel" After pause ne
continued: III have seen yen drifting
away-Francesl diSobedient--unlov.
! ing--l would save you-if could.
| Weep no more--I have forgiven;
! have forgiven" The girl lifted her
face quickly, indignant and agonized.
you have been deceived, father; oh.
SO basely deceived. | am not way
ward have never yet disobeyed you.
II you had permitted | should have
been with you night and day"
IF had permitted"
Eyes. IL was you, they told me, $
she brokenly said-"it was you who
sent me among strangers TO school
you wished me never to come into
your room"
"Francesl"
at is too late now" she said in
anguish, but | cannot part from you
without telling you the truth. | love
you, father. would have been
your dear daughter if you had not
put il beyond my power"
Child! What is it you are say
ingP"
do you not understand, father?'
she said passionately, "do you not
know that that woman has for years
deprived you of your independence
your property Can't you see it? You
have been robbed Of everything
=! oh, she has preyed upon your
hottest feelings; she has turned you
against your own child-the child 10
whose mother you promised TO guard
and guidel"
lie raised himself in his chair. A
look Of fright was upon his face.
"Seel" she cried, "there is the WON
an with her son dividing your prop
erty before YOU are dead. Oh. they
think am harmless, now; | am not 10
TO be feared! the die is east, the will
is signed, and you, father, have be-
trayed your only child into the hands
OF her bitterest enemy"
lie was speechless and pale. His
dull eyes were fixed on the girls.
but no." he said family, this can-
not be, il cannot bel My child, you
are wronging a good woman-and
/ Raymond-he has been very kind, so
very kind!"
"You are blinded, father; you are
unsuspecting. Tell me, have they
ever said that for months | have been
eager 20 be with you; that?'
you, Frances Why, you refused
over and over" She sank her head
upon her chair.
And you believed that OF mep II
was untrue-a cruel, cruel invention
Mother and son caught the sound
Of her agitated voice and would have
come over from the bay window, but
DR.. Brodnar, drawing the sofa around
as though TO sit with them, stood
with his hand resting upon IL, com
pletely blocking their way.
To-day and tonight" he said, che
must have absolute quiet. Continue
the powders ! have left, and see that
he does not attempt. under any cir
''z-=--~0 m>