The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1906-08-11
WOMAN PROPOSES

Robert Brown In this trOopF
The sergeant Strengthened himself
up when be saw the woman coming.
"Madge Vanness," he said bitterly.
cannot man rest quietly in his
graveT"
Jack Trevor she began.
And old Stokes, the trumpeter. from
n point of vantage ON the upper porch
growled. There, Amt | bin tellln'
We all 1ongi knowed his name
wasn't Brown any more'n mine is"
Jack Trevor" went on the woman,
II want proof that you are dead
man"
The sergeant laughed.
Proof You can find my epitaph
written IN unpaid bills over the face
OF half dozen counties, Isn't that
enoughI"
Don't be q fool" said the woman
CURLY Granted you are dead. and
you art not Why don't you resurrect
yOurselfY Why don't you work.
Work. am working. I'm drilling
recruits, and that's hard enough It's
no good. Madge," obstinately. You
would better have stayed away. I'm
happy enough"
The woman flushed dangerously
John Trevor. | have come 5000
miles all alone to find you, and you tell
me you are happy and that would
better not have Gomez
We'll" bitterly, what would you
have me say ask you to marry meT'
Yes" frankly
The sergeant laughed again
Lord. | can imagine 1.-THE dishon-
orable sergeant and the Hon. Mrs.
Brown Carried ON the troop returns
and drawing their monthly rations,
pound Of bread per day. n pound or
fresh meat, including bone-don't for
get the bone and an ounce and a frac-
ton OF coffee, etc. and living I'm "a
tumbledown wooden howell, and you
taking IN the troop washing AT $3.50 a
month per man and baking pies, which
/ should peddle TO the men in quarters
on credit until pay day! Don't you like
the picturef or course you'd be very
happy. and | should be contented. It
goes without saying, No. | don't think
you've thought much about the bar
gain. or you wouldn't make this offer"
John Trevor" she said. since left
New York | have not allowed myself
To sleep because OF thinking OF this
thing. Now you tell me | haven't
thought OF it,
The sergeant smiled grimly lie had
been IN the habit OF taking 10 his bunk
and resolutely closing bis eyes to keep
from thinking
Then the woman pleadingy "Inck.
you know this thing would not bc IA
You say. We should not have 10 stay
here. have something II you have
not
Yes. that would be better still I'm
the class OF man that should marry i'm
helrcss. without penny, without even
n character"
When God placed You in the world,
dear" said the woman gently. he
gave you strong mans heritage
health and strength and the whole
world 70 live In Won't you come?
let Us 20 away together somewhere
and make a home"
The sergeant shook his head sorrow
fully.
NO. Madgc," ne said II won't do II
for your sake nor for mine. II work.
cd my fingers 10 the bone. could ever
pay those men | ran away from when
the grny broke his neck and my for
tune az that water jump
The woman smiled 20 herself Ia the
darkness
Jack, didn't you ever hear how
much your horses brought when they
were sold 2"
NO; I've heard nothing, seen no
man. seen nothing, not even line as
70 the old life. Let's see. There were
ten OF them without the gray. Probn-
bly, they made 5000"
The smile was still on the womans
lips.
Yes, she said quietly 5000 each.
and they paid all your debts. You owe
no man anything"
Five thousand dollars each" the
sergeant gasped. what fool bought
them
II bought them. sent Walters. the
20 start the bidding for each NJ S., 900.
II nearly spoiled Walters reputation.
Int Il saved yours So now. you see"
unsteadly, I'm not such an hciress
after all"
She had stepped back into the light
Of the only lamp ON the company pa
radc AMI taken her hat OF.
Come Jack" softly. Yes, dear,
come"
She was holding out her hands again.
aud the Hight showed the tears I'm her
eyes The band was playing "In old
Madrid"
Lougingly through the dusk came the
music 90 the lines
Come. my lovel The stars are shining.
Time IL flying. love r. signing!
Come For thee heart Is pining
Here alone I wait for thee
The sergeant turned and shouted
over 70 the first sergeant, and his voice
was Joyous
Say. Sanders. can Won put me on
check pnssy
Overhead 0lU Sfoffeu ttsus g, ,.t,,,.