The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1903-02-21

happened to John Hartley?
They had mandolins and guitars.
They wandered through the refin-
cry, then passed out and all sat down
on a log OF wood under the cane shed
and sang choruses, "Annie Laurie"
and 'Way Down Upon the Suwanee
River" Aurore leading.
Then some one said she must sing
them a serenade, because the night
was so glorious. So Arrore sang.
How very beautiful IL was! He sat
near her. II was growing cold. He
drew her fur-lined coat around her
throat. and fastened IL and was
clumsy and slow about IL, because
some OF her perfumed Ices got
caught. and she laughed, and began
To button il herself.
Why yes, he held her hands, OF
course And the music and the de-
light OF having her there in this glo-
riously unexpected fashion, made
him lose his head and plunge into all
the wild absurdities which had been
gathering in heart and brain all
these past months.
No one knew better than the chem
ist himself how ridiculous il was for
a man struggling to get n foothold
on rung of life's ladder in the hope
of climbing up TO prosperity, iniiu-
ence and ambition gratified. to pour
out his tale of passion and devotion
into the ears Of great heiress who
was engaged to Tom Catherwood.
He realized the absurdity Of the
proceeding, and said so.
What was il she answered? ITO
repeat it an TO her year later, when
he had accomplished great things,
and held his future in his grasp
OF course. she was Joking, and
turned il off that way and would not
take his wild speech seriously, SO as
not 10 spoil their gay evening with
sentimental nonsense,
b. what right could he, whose only
possessions were pompous old name,
some long dead and gone ancestors,
a tumblo-down rookery and few
acres, which poverty prevented him
from cultivating. 10 lay bare his secret
to those dancing gray eyes-those
wonderful eyes. in whose depth man
could so easily lose his soul?
John Hartley's banjo was inspiring.
II led them on fantastic cake walk"
from the toreh-lit cane shed around
the refinery to cory room in the
corner Of the big building near the
entrance door, the superintendent
office, where there was a table and
punch bowl and glasses.
Al, il was a merry evening; one to
be ever remembered!
The chemist, looking into Aurore's
glowing face and great honest eyes,
forgot everything but wild hope and
ambition. OF which she was the center.
And when the hours had fed by, and
they went reluctantly TO the door to
say good might, and Aurore jumped in
| the trap. while he folded rug over her
pown and held her firm, small hands
| i'm his before she drew on her gloves,
and again murmured foolish things,
and she did not check him, but gave
! him a slow, sweet smile, which would
always lnger in brain and memory,
so long as his heart beat, the horizon
| OF his life seemed 20 widen out into
iufnitudes OF blissful possibilities!
There seemed TO he some confusion!
! What were these troublous years do
| ing here? What was all this sorrow,
this unhappiness, this anguish? What
| had they to do with him and Aurore?
Who was il who came between themP
And what was the wearing grief which
drew line on his face and gave deeper
look TO Aurore's great, proud eyes?
The field hands were putting cane
on the carrier, the lamps were far
! ing under the can shed, the crealling
and rumble Of the rollers was audible,
and they were all sitting on log sing
ing "Way Down Upon the Suwanee
River once more.
lie was close TO Aurore's dear side,
because a sweet scent Of the yiolots
came TO him from her hair and laces,
and the moonlight fell full ON her face,
as she turned it toward him. lie saw
the soft glow rise and mount as she
listened, but her sweet, brave eyes
never left his as she gave him AT
ncTable smile. which contained so
great promise.
How could he ever forget IL? lie had
treasured il through those hideous
years, those years of deepest unhap.
piuess. and the latest recollection to
fade would surely be that look on
Aurore's face as she turned and looked
up at him.
How do you do? We've come 20
see YOU" Aurores mellow voice said.
you've come back, sweetheart?
How good Of you! How heavenly
good! Now, you must never leave met
Neverl For all time and eternity yoC
must
"Mr. Thompson said must give you
these samples, sir. lie would like to
know il the lining is all right. Had
a heap Of trouble with thar iaice. It's
old Boudreau's cane, and it's green as
prags"