The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-05-11
CHAPTER u.-Continued.


This bandage," said Brodnar,
Seems to imply a doubt of you, Dick,
but believe me il has its proper use.
In the future, il accident should con-
front you with the-woman, neither Of
you will be embarrassed. She will, 1t
is true, know your name, but unless she
should look you up in days 10 come she
will never see your face. Is that com
Portable ?-yes? Well, n moment and
we are gone. Your hand, my friend,
now, and your word of honor. You
will not look on this woman's face, nor
seek in any way TO discover from her.
from me, or from anyone aught that
nm seeking TO conceal; under all cir
cumstances you will yourself conceal
from everyone the facts OF this nights
business; and you accept the woman
TO whom we go as your wife with all
the limitations have outlined. know
that in your own heart you are re-
solved, but the honor of woman is al
stake, and you must promise me as
man TO man"
"As man TO man, then, and upon the
honor OF Richard Somers, l promise.
Lead onl" The chance passer-by who
saw blindfolded man led from the
elegant apartments OF DR.. Francis
Brodnar was not surprised. The ex-
PLANTATION was easy. But Somers him
self was distinctly surprised at the
length of the ride and the number OF
corners turned. 1t seemed TO him that
the carriage traversed more than once
the same road, for in spite of himself
he could not but take notice OF such
things. DR.. Brodnar deserted the drift
OF his thoughts.
"For n man TO note the direction OF
journey" he said, sis natural, an
, almost automatic, action of the brain
cells-an inheritance from both animal
and human ancestry. Therefore. Dick,
IL have sought TO confuse you by my
queer route, IL Is only through dis
trust OF the original and savage
Somers, and to save all parties embar-
rassment. j trust few people. Here
we are at last" Dismounting he led
his companion on pavement. through
narrow gateway, the gate of which
he unlocked, along a gravel walk with
shrubbery on both sides for about 60
PAGES, up two stone steps TO door that
had neither bell nor knocker, and into
a woman's room.
How weak is human invention.
Richard Somers gathered these facts
without mental effort from small
signs. The football upon the pave
ment, the search for the KEY, the
clicking lock, the crowding the gravel
under foot, the touch of shrubbery,
two steps at the door, and the indie
Enable air of every lady's room-the
faint, blended odor of powders, toilet
waters and pressed flowers. That II
was the room OF n refined woman he
was sure In advance. Had he not
been, there was the deep carpet into
which his feet sank noiselessly.
And IL was plain that he had come
into garden from a side street. since
no residence would have opened from
woman's room into walk that led
directly TO n main street.
Here, then, was woman who lived
upon first floor with n private gar
den at her disposal. He had heard
the gentle FLASHING Of water outside;
there was n fountain in this garden.
On the morrow he had but TO walk
the city until he found the premises,
IL he would. SO much for the secrecy
Of his friend Brodnar
BY this time Richard Somers was a
deeply interested man. Despite his
resolution to carry off the affair
lightly, he began to feel the presence
OF something like tragedy. Where
was the woman who was TO make use
OF him bindly and go through the
form OF marriage? Dimly at first,
perhaps as n matter of logic, he was
conscious that she was in the room
and near him. Then without more
reason he became certain OF IL. The
room was not dark, for he felt light
upon his bandaged eyes. Instructive
" he stretched out his hand.
Then there was laid within n an.
other as soft as silken velvet and small
and tremulous. The touch thrilled him
from head 10 foot; Il wns the hand of
young woman~-the timidity be-
longcd 10 glrlhood-and instantly a
deep sympathy moved him. II was
indeed an urgent cause that forced her
into this situation forced her, because
now she was softly crying, and her