The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1903-05-02

with the unexpected disclosure cf q
white spot in q character that wal
supposed 10 be utterly black, his
feelings underwent a sudden change
The P.tiful drunltard who had been
too weak to look after himself and
bis boys, but whose better nature
had Planned ard provided SO layishly
Tor the girl and her future, even
while striving TO keep from her the
knowledge of her fathers degrade.
tion, suddenly became more OF man
To him. He could understand the
sacrifices and hardships that Boozy
John must have gone through in or
der To provide for such an education.
Even he, with his orange grove and
truck farm, had never felt able to
do half as much for Cindy.
When they reached the CHEEKY cot
tage in front of his orange grove
he carried in the trunk and valise.
and presently called his wife aside
and made whispered explanation.
Then he went TO the barn 10 unhar-
ness his horse. But he made a much
longer job of it than was necessary,
ana when IL was finished he leaned
upon his fence and gazed with unob-
servant eyes at his fields OF sweet
potatoes and pineapples and ba-
nanas. His wife came to him there.
Did you tell her?" he asked.
Yes" in low voice. He noticed
that her lips trembled.
Take il hard?"
shes highstrung, jim. an them
kind don't make no fuss. She
wouldn't believe me at first, an
when she did she jest turned white
an stared at nothin' till IL burst
out cryin' myself. Seemed like
never felt so sorry for anybody in
all my lifs. She didn't cry bit, only
jest asked would / please go out a
while and leave her alone"
The two stood there nearly half
an hour; then the girl left the house
and passed down the road on the OPP
posite side of the fence. Williams
could scarcely recognize the white
faced, shrinking figure as the enthu-
siastie girl who had sat beside him
an hour before.
She's goin' over to look at the house
now" said Mrs. Williams, in low
voice. 81 told her 'twa'n't fit to live
IN, but she said they'd lived in il an
she could. An when | told her we
lowed on keepin' her a spell she Jest
thanked me an shook her head"
When the girl came back they were
ON the piazza. She went directly to
Williams.
when does my father come
homer" she asked
"HIis times out-er-that is. he'll
come home in bout three months, |
reckon"
And how much does he owe you?"
"Oh, nothin'-nothin' at ALL"
hastily.
How much does he owe you?" the
girl repeated, in n tone that he felt
could not be disregarded.
Wall, $50. But you needn't bother
bout payin' it,"
81 cannot just at present; but
everything must be Strengthened out
before father comes home. There
must not be n single thing to worry
him. And now, can | get you to 90 |
after my brothers? / shall fix up the |
house, and we will live there until |
father comes"
Its quite a long drive" said Will |
liams, reflectively. IL can go to-
aorrow."
THAT will do" She stood gazing
out at the vista of pines and pal
mettes afforded by an opening in the
trees, her face white and stricken,
but calm, with q strnn@ i--.-
what kind of employment is there
or girls?"
Williams looked dubious.
81 don't reckon there's any," he an
swered. "Stores centrally git men
clerks, an there's ten applicants to
one Job. Folks round here don't hire
much help"
No" agreed his wife; "housekeep- |
crs mostly do their own work-cook-
in an seryin' an everything. The
only work that's plenty an hard to
cit help for is washin'; but only ne
rroes do that. Mebbe you'n git a
lob a. school teachin' This fall"
II must have work now. Fhther
must not find anything against him
when he comes home. Do you think
can get washing?'
Mrs. Williams looked at her blink
ly.
ats negroes work" she objected.
"Irs work that | will do gladly If |
can get it," sudden passionate sob
bringing the color back 20 her cheeks.
~ will scrub hoors-anything that
will help father a little. He has
been working and making sacrifices
for years that / might remain at
school. and II never suspected
ought to have been here, watching
him. and caring for him and the
boys"
1t was nearly two months later be-
fore Williams again encountered
Thompson on the station platform.
"Wau. how dye make out with