The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1902-07-05

near and dear as ny dead sons wife.
My days are not ~ - i.sI..y. Ao-a %
me, my daughter. want you and
Lewis child"
Must ! eo?" she asked. with white
lips.
do you know ner we.if" | asked.
IL saw her c...y c.ce or twice." she
answered. but she has been very good
to me"
"She car hardly need you. she has
friends. And surely you are needed
here"
She looked at me eagerly.
do you think sof' she said.
Ask any man in the oamp-Shaw.
Nixon, young WInton. Geordie. Ask
Craig" | replied
"Yes, he will tell me-" she said
Even as she spoke Craig came up the
steps | passed into my studio and
went ON with my work. for my days at
Black Rock were getting few, and
many sketches remained TO be filled in.
Through my open door | saw Mrs
Mayor lay her letters before Mr.. Craig,
saying II have a call too" They
thought lot OF nae.
He went through the papers careful
~ laying them down without a word
while size waited anxiorsly, almost i'm
patiently for him TO speak.
well" she asked, using his own
words 10 her. should | gof"
- 90 not know, he replied That
is for You 10 decide. You know all the
circumstances
The letters tell all"
Her tone carried feeling Of disap-
pointment He did not appear 10 care.
THE estates are largeF" he asked.
Eyes. large enough-twelye thousand
n year"
"And has your motherin-law any
one with herr
"She has friends. but as She says
none near OF kin. Her nephew looks
after the works-iron works, you know.
lie has shares in them"
"She is evidently very lonely" he an
severed gravely.
What shall dofr she asked. and |
knew she was waiting TO hear him
urge her to stay, but he did not see or
at least gave no heed.
Il cannot say" he repeated quietly
There are many things TO consider.
The estates"-
THE estates seem TO trouble you"
she replied almost fretfully.
He looked up In surprise. | wonder
ed Mt his slowness.
Eyes. the estates" he went on. land
tenants, suppose; your mother-in-law.
your little Marjorie's future, your own
future"
The estates are in capable hands, |
should suppose" she urged. "and my
future depends upon what I choose my
work to be-"
"But one cannot shift ones re~ponsi-
biiities." he replied grayeiy "Thepe
estates. these tenants, hnve come TO
you. and with them come duties"
81 DO not want them!" she cried
THAT life has great possibilities Of
good. he said kindly.
NJ had thought TINT perhaps, thsre
was work for me here" she suggested
timidly. z
"Great work." he fastened 10 sRy.
"You have done great work. but ron
will do that wherever you 20. The
only question is where your work riee."
"You think l should co." she said
suddenly and little bitterly.
81 cannot bid you stay" he answered
steadily.
How can goT' she cried. appealing
10 him. Must I goY'
How he could resist that appeai I
could mot understand. His face was
cold and hard and his voice was al
most harsh as he replied:
''lf II ia right. you will go. you must
GO
Then she burst forth:
81 cannot 30. | shall stay here. My
work Is here. My heart Is here. How
can go? You thought 1t worth your
while to stay here and work. Why
should not IY'
The momentary CLEAN in his eyes
died out. and again he said coldly:
''Thls work was clearly mine. l am
needed here"
yes. yesr' she cried, her voice full
OF pain. You are needed, but there is
no need OF me-"
stop stopr' he said sharply. "You
must not say So"
'T will say IL. / must say IT. she
cried, her voice vibrating with the In
tensity Of her feeling. II know you do
not need me. You have your work,
your miners. your plans. You need no
one. You are strong. But" and her
voice rose to n cry, Il am not strong
by myself. You have made me strong.
came here foolish girl, foolish and
selfish and narrow. God sent me grief
Three years ago my heart died. Now