The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1902-12-13

west and went to bed with the scugh
of rising wind in my ears. In the
morning the landlord announced that
| tide. Despite his warning, however.
= set ont fornn afteTnoon-ride- along
the upland road.
The road was so good and the air
so bracing that | was many miles out
lefore | thought of turning When
did the dusk waSgathering down and
the huge marsh looked dim and lone
ly. The storm was coming in good
earnest, for down over the bay n
swift flame Of lightning leaped forth,
followed by a growl of thunder
With this there was the growing
darkness and now and then a spatter
Of rain. | fought steadily on. how
ever, and was half way home before
night shut in. But night brought
the fun fury Of the tempest soon
the lightning was my only guide. 1t
proved a safeguard, too, for while go-
ing fast down hill fash revealed a
fallen tree scarcely ten feet away.
did not wait to see what would hap
pen, but slid off and rolled in the
mud. leaving the bicycle 20 its fate.
AT last, far ahead light appeared.
Then another and another, until a
brilliant glow shone in the darkness,
and then, quite suddenly, recognized
the outline Of the house on the up
lands. But what was the reason of
this illumination? There was light
in every window. FASTENED forward
and soon stumbled through the gate,
up the pathway 10 the front door,
where | Knocked loud and long. II
was thrown open and my old friend
appeared, gazing eagerly AT me.
why! Why!" he exclaimed. It's
you! I thought il was James!" and
look Of deep disappointment came
over his face "FIave you seen him?"
no" ! answered, and the light fell
full on my soaked and muddy gar
ments The old man gave cry.
II treat you inv he said. Come in,
come I'M and you can get dry, and
we can welcome James together. For
YOU do not sheer and laugh rs the
others do" lie drew me I'm and shut
the door. We went through the hall,
catching a glimpse of bright-lit par
Tors as we passed, 20 the big kitchen
at its farther end.
Here huge fire blazed and / was
quickly dry. The old man gave me
hot drink from a brew which sim
mered beside the hearth. II put new
life into me.
ais your brother really coming to-
night?' asked, determined to humor
him.
Eyes, oh yesi" he cried TREMENDOUSLY.
See, read this" With shaking hands
he unfolded a sheet of paper and gave
il 10 me.
1t was letter, frayed and worn,
dated 30 years back 1t said that the
writer had arrived in Halifax by the
steamer Scotia, of the Cunard line,
and would come round by schooner,
avoiding the tedious coach journey.
purpose 10 come round IN the Curlcw
schooner. which sails within week.
Have the house ready for me, George.
and a Jurum OF that good Punch you
used to make SO well ! will drive out
from the Village. And / shall be right
gla TO be Home again. Old Fellow, for
we had rough voyage across.
/ am, dear George, Your Affect. Bror.,
JAMES.
So il concluded. The signature was
stained and blurred. And as | handed
back the letter and the old man fold
ed it so reverently and replaced IL in
his pocket, the pity of IL all brought
tears to my own eyes. But my host
was looking at me eNpectantly, so /
forced smile and talked TO him Of
the returning one.
How the storm Numbered outside!
| saw that il would be almost impos-
sible to reach the village. and gladly
accepted the old mans proposal that
| should stay with him. For" said
he, sit viii be pleasant for James,
and / would like you TO know him"
When my clothes were dry, we went
over to the house together. II was
ablaze with light. Wax candles were
placed i'm every window and the som
Der parlors were gay with old-fash-
toned lamps.
I'VE brought them all out when -
came" explained the old ynan. and
James will be glad when he sees the
lights shining to welcome him home"
but will he come such n night as
this?" | said as gust of wind shook
the house and Jared us where we
stood.
Eyes. oh, yes" The voice was very
weak. "lhcy told me this afternoon
that the Curlew was in the bay, and
| know James Is coming to-night!"
He went TO window. "Ilarld Don't
you hear s, torsC?'
But il was only n rain-squalI driy-
ing along the road
The wind gradually shifted, and
when we returned to the Kitchen the
storm was laundering at the front
door and cchoing in the haH. Sew
eral times il tore at the entrance like
living thing so like that half