The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1903-08-22

Il am-er-twenty-two"
''Of the nobilityY'
my father was OF noble.b birth"
Then you must be 80 too. l hope
1u'll forgive my rudeness. I'm a bit
KSrvous. you know"
II forgive you gladly"
"Devilish rough road this"
"Devilish. II Is Il mountain road"
That's where we were too"
Where who weref'
"Oh, a young lady and / some time
ago. / just happened 10 think OF IT."
1T could not have been pleasant"
"You never made a bigger mistake
in your life"
"oh. she must have been pretty,
then"
"You are right this time. She is glo-
rious."
Pardon me. They usually are In
such adventures"
by love, you're a clever one!'
Does she live I'm American
That's none OF your affair"
"Oh! And then there was silence
between them.
'Tnquisitive fooir' muttered Gren TO
himself.
For some time they bumped along
over the rough road, jostling against
each other frequently. both enduring
stoically and silently. Suddenly Lorry
remembered the lantern 1t was still
lit with the slide closed when he threw
IT on the seat. Perhaps II still burned
nj a a.
ness IL but for short time. He
might at least satisfy his curiosity and
look upon the face OF his companion.
Leaning forward. he fumbied among
the traps on the opposite seat.
II think I'll see IL the lantern IN
lighted. Let's have II little more
cheerful I'm here" he said. There was
"a sharp exclamation. and two vigorous
hands grasped him by the shoulder.
Jerking him back unceremoniously.
enc. no! You will ruin all! There
must be no lightr' cried the soldier. his
voice high and shrill.
But we are out OF the city
IL know! l know But will not
permit you 20 have a light Against
orders. We have not passed the out
posts" expostulated the other nervous
ly.
Whats the matter with your voiceT'
demanded Lorry. struck by the change
in it,
my voiceY" asked the other. the
tones natural again. Its changing.
Didn't II embarrass you when your
voice broke like that" went on the
questioner brcathiessiy. LorTy was
nov leaning back I'm the seat quite n
lishe mystified.
IL don't believe mine ever broke like
that" he said speculatively. There
was no response. and he sat silent for
some time. regretting more and more
that II was 50 dark.
Gradually ne became conscious of n
strange. unaccountable presence in
that dark cab. He could feel change
coming over him. He could not tell
why. but he was sure that some one
else was beside him. some one who was
not the soldier. Something soft and
delicate and sweet came into existence.
permeating the darkness with Its I'M
deniable presence. A queer power
seemed drawing him toward the other
end OF the seat. The most delightful
sensations took possession OF him. His
heart futterA oddly. His head began
20 reel under ~le spell
"Who are your" he cried I'm n sort |
OF ECSTASY. There was no answer He
remembered his match safe and with |
nemblIng. eager fingers drew II from
the pocket OF the coat he was wearing. |
The next instant he was scratching n |
match. but as II fiared the body OF his
was hurled against his and
q rutih}ess mouth blew out the feeble
blaze.
'oh, why do you pcrsistT' was cried
I'm his ears.
II am determined TO see your face"
ne answered sharply. and with n low
try OF dismay the other occupant Of
the carriage fell back I'm the corner.
The next match drove away the dark
PISS and the mystery. With blinking
eyes he saw the timid soldier budding
In the corner. one arm covering his
face. the other hand vainly striving 10
pull the skirt OF n military coat over
n pair OF red trouser legs. Below the
arm that hid the eyes and nose he saw
parted lips and beardless. dainty
chin; above, long. dark tresses strayed
In ccndem6ing confusion. The breast
beneath the blue coat heaved convul-
siveiy.
The match dropped from his fingers.
and as darkness fell agnin II hid the
soldier In the strong arms OF the fugi-
uve-not soldier bold. but gasping.
biushing. unresisting coward. The 1.-the
form auivered and then became mo
tonless In the herce, straining en-
brace. The head dropped upon bis
shoulder. his hot iipe careesing Che
burning face and pouring VIVID. ipco-
herent words into the little earu.
You: Your he cried. mad win, 10Y.
tAuh NHt~ L. A~a ts--a~ Il Z