The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-06-01

there Is not wealth enough In Virginia
TO bring about thatl"
"Aliss Brooxin"--and Holbln sank
his voice 10 the most courteous OF
tones. and met her glances without en-
barrassment--"why is IL that you dis
like me?"
Il have not given the matter a
thought, sir. / simply accept the fact"
He was silent moment, his eyes cast
down
-You hate my mother" he said, sad
ly and bitterly, "and / am included; l
understand that. But admitting that
you have cause TO hate her--and / do
not--you have none 10 hate me. Con-
slider the injustice. Let me say now
/ did not expect ever to say il, but a
man is no man who will not defend
himself-let me say now that, so far
from having cause 60 hate me, If pro-
found respect. IL sympathy for your
loneliness, II genuine affection and the
tenderest love count for anything with
a woman. YOU have more than sufficient
cause 10 think well of me-" Frances
looked upon him with amazement,
touched in spite Of her resolution. He
was not slow 10 perceive this. My
mother" he continued. sis not from the
worlds standpoint "A lovable woman,
but she is-my mother; and am her
son. She is self-wined; but she is just.
Shall / admit IL 10 you? She has made
my life unhappy; she has been the
cause OF my living abroad"
who was Louise, then2 And why
should the mention of her name-have
killed my father?" She covered her
face with her hands, aud gave way
gently 70 her tears He waited few
moments until she regained her com
posture.
There are turned down pages in
the lives Of all men, Miss Rrookin--
and in the lives of some women. An
other time | shall tell you the his
tory OF Louise, and let you judge me
if you will. But ] swear TO you now
as though l stood In the presence OF
God that | did not lead her Oft by
means OF mock marriage did notl
You may not understand IL, but there
are times when the man Is not alone
20 blame In these matters. He is in
] NoiNtN AhlUhNh ais thtNdii hie a.
trying 20 protect a woman he some
times ruins both the woman and him
self. | have sinned, but II you knew
how l suffered you would pity, not
blame me. Complete PREPARATION was
impossibe-but | have done my best;
and to-day my life rs as free from
evil as most mems"
In no other way could Holbin have
so touched the girls heart. At the
moment she did pity him. Recent
scenes in her own life rose before
her as he had spoken. She turned
70 him, generous and impuIsiye
Forgive me if ! have misjudged
you" The words surprised and
alarmed her. He was not slow to see
his opportunity and take advantage
OF IT,
"If you misjudged me, IL was nat
ural; for never was a man more I'M
fortunately situated 20 achieve the
dearest wish OF his heart than am"
"Your dearest wish" she began.
''The wish 20 make you my wife,
Frances; YOU will think IL a very nat
ural wish under the circumstances
surrounding us, | am afraid, and yet,
whatever may have been my mothers
| interest In your fathers will / knew
nothing whatever of it. Why, / have
been here a few weeks only. And
do you suppose for one moment that
! could share in any property extort-
ed from you by such strange circum-
stances? ! am not the heir, il you
refuse TO marry me- but ! may help
you, and ! will Ny dear girl, upon
the day you are 81 IL | am sure that
you do not wish TO take your property
with the encumbrance of a husband, /
shan ia writing decline to marry
yoiI."
"Oh, Mr.. Holbin!"
'For tie rest--this miserable mys-
tery-you are answered already. II
| believed that you were ia any way
compromised. ] would not admit that
/ love you"
please! please do mott"
~ could not even remain In this
city and doubt you. But as a man
who has seen many q woman the
innocent victim Of mistakes and bad
advice, | am bound 20 use every en-
deavor TO protect your own and my
mothers interests. This DR.. Brod-
mar"
"He is my friendl Don't speak IN
OF himl"
81 speak IN Of no one. But ! warn
you that he IS absolutely unfit to
advise a girl. Headstrong. opinion
nted, arrogant, he stakes everything
upon his own Judgment, and when
such man loses, he loses for others
besides himself Frankly, | have seen
men by the ten thousand until one
mans face anywhere indicates the
moral tribe 20 which he belongs; and
/ tell you DR.. Brodnar may be true 70
one friend az the eXsense Of an
other"
II cannot listen If you accuse him"
81 shall not accuse him. / shall