The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1904-05-28


nally he had completed the word Ear
rand" He whirled sharp on his heel,
mounted the broad white stone steps
and lang the bell
Il was answered almost Immediately
by n clean shaved. portly and dignified
man with the most impassive counte-
nance in the world. This man looked
upon Thorpe with lofty disapproval.
us Miss Hilda Farrand at homer" he
asked.
II cannot say" replied the man. "If
you will step 10 the back door l will
ascertain"
''The flowers will do Now see that
the south room is ready, Annie" float
ed voice from within.
Without n word. bat with a deadly
earnestness. Thorpe reached forward,
seized the astonished servant by the
collar. yanked him bodily outside the
door stepped inside and strobe across
the hall toward closed portiere whence
had come the voice. The river mans
long spikes cut little triangular pieces
from the hardwood floor. Thorpe did
not notice that. He thrust aside the
portiere.
Before him he saw young and beau
tiful girl She was seated, and her lap
was filled with flowers. At his sudden
apparition her hands few TO her heart.
and her lips slightly parted. For a
second the two stood looking at each
other, just as nearly year before their
eyes had crossed over the old pole trail.
To Thorpe the girl seemed more beau
tiful than ever. The red OF this vio-
lent unexpected encounter rushed to
her face. her bosom rose and fell In a
nuttering catch for breath but her
eyes were steady and inquiring.
Then the butler bounced on Thorpe
from behind with the intent TO do great
bodily harm.
"Morrisw commanded Hilda sharply,
''what are you doing?"
The man cut short his heroism In
confusion.
You may 60" concluded Hllda
Thorpe stood straight and unwlnklng
by the portiere. After moment he
spoke.
IL have come to tell you that you
were right and ] was wrong" said he
steadily. "You told me there could be
nothing better than love. In the pride
OF my strength | told you this was not
90. was wrong"
He stood for another instant looking
directly at her. then turned sharply
ana, nead erect. walked from rne room.
Before he had reached the outer door
che girl was at his side
"Why are you golngi" she asked.
II have nothing more TO say"
Nothing -
Nothing at ALL"
She laughed happily to herself.
But have-much. Come back"
They returned TO the little morning
room, Thorpe's calked boots gouging
out the little triangular burrows In the
hardwood floor. Neither noticed that
what arc you going TO do now?"
she catechised. facing him IN the mid
beautiful corn silk hair fell across her
eyes; her red lips parted in faint, visit
ful smile; beneath the draperies OF her
loose gown the pure slender lines OF
her figure leaned toward him.
Il am going back" he replied pa
tiently.
II knew you would come" said she
IL have been expecting you. Oh. Har-
ry," she breathed. with a sudden fash
of Insight. you are man born TO be
much misunderstood"
He held himself rigid. but In his
veins was creeping a molten fire. and
the fire was beginning to glow duly In
his eye. Her whole being called him.
And still she stood there before him.
saying nothing leaning slightly toward
him. her red lips half parted her eyes
fixed almost wIstfully on his face
go away" he whispered hoarsely at
last. The voice was not his own go
away Go awayr'
Suddenly she swayed to him.
"Oh. Harry, Harry" she whispered,
"must l tell you? Don't you seeY'
The food broke through him. He
seized her hungrily. He crushed her to
h1p until she gasped; he pressed his
lips against hers until she all but cried
out with pain OF It; he ran his great
brown hands blIndly through her hair
Ahti ~ hVW ~ ahVtA Ahthi hNNl NV
a cloud Of spun light.
"Tell me- he whispered. Tell mep
"Oh. OH she cried PLEASED What
tsit?"
IL do not believe it, he murmured
savagely.
She drew herself from him with gen
Gle dignity.
II am not worthy to say H." she said
soberly. "but love you with all my
heart and soul"
Then for the first and only time In his
life Thorpe fell to weeping. while she.
understanding. stood by and comforted
him.
The few moments OF Thorpe's tears
eased the emotional strain under which
perhaps unconsciously he had been la
boring for nearly year past. The
tenseness OF his nerves relaxed. He sa-
vored deliberately the Joy OF luxuri-
GUS couch. rich hangings. polished floor.
subdued light. warmed atmosphere. He
a..