The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-01-25
STRETCHED 'FRONT.'

btittfc lutl wv ltu ANaAtSs oHt
would nestle In the depths CT a large
armchair. assuming most bcwitchlng
pose, and listen 10 man making des-
perate love 10 her. smiling swectly all
the while and only putting In word
now and then 20 keep him going. Her
heart never throbbed during such pro-
ceedings. she was so accustomed TO
them. but gently, MS II always did.
like the pendulum OF clock.
Miss DAILY was the belle OF an Irish
garrison town, and the officers OF the
infantry regiments quartered there
were generally poor. IL she had cared
for poor man she never would have
married him. for she loved ease and
luxury better than anything else.
BY and by there came 70 the town
regiment that had moderately rich.
unmarried major In t. He was not
young or handsome or fascinating.
but just plain. honest. good natured
fellow OF the ordinary British type.
He followed In the footsteps OF his
predecessors and fell n victim 10 the
wiles OF the lily OF the garrison town.
and as he was an eligible man her par
ents persuaded her 10 marry him, She
was nothing loath. as she thought of
the dresses that would henceforth set
of her white loneliness.
After her marriage she flirted as
much as before; her drawing room
was filed with men every afternoon,
and there was always gallant In at
tendance OF an evening Major DEM
son, much annoyed at such proceed
ings, endured them for several months
and then spoke out In remonstrance.
but his beautiful wife shrugged her
lovely shoulders and paid no heed.
Then he ordered her 20 desist.
But how am | to amuse myselfy'
pleaded she. not the least RULED In
temper and raising her great blue
eyes. suffused with tears. In pathetic
questioning to his face.
"As other wives do" he answered.
striding up and down the room In
great agitation: with your household
duties. visits TO your friends and with
sewing
The situation was becoming tense
when the regiment was ordered TO
cathedral town In England The ma
jor hoped Tint the beautiful place and
It's inhabitants and life would interest
his wife ana the attentions Of the
ladies belonging 20 the good old fash
toned county families natter her and
divert her attention from herself he
was mistaken
Every one said. "uow eccentric that
I.a fafi Ia.
mented that be seemed be fading
away Ike n passing flower
AZ length the surgeon Of the regi-
ment took Il upon himself 20 enlighten
the major upon the state or his wife's
health and urge him 60 allow her 20
visit her natlve place ID The hope that
old scenes aud friends would revive
her
Il can find nothing the matter with
her constitntlonally and believe she Is
merely suffering from nostalgia said
the doctor When Major Denlson told
his wife the doctors opinion. she rails
ed her eyes IN meek appeal for leave
TO go. and he had not the heart 10 re-
fuse her
but remember, Edith, there must
be no flirting nor must you go 20 balls
or parties"
very Wen. dear" she said swcetly.
II promise"
After two months. hearing that his
wife had recovered her health, the ma
jor thought he would look her up and
procured leave OF absence for the pur.
pose. He arrived az the garrison town
late one evening and went straight TO
his fathcr.in-law's house. He found
the squire and his wife doing In big
armchairs on either side OF the dining
room fireplace
They seemed disturbed az his sudden
appearance and told him the rest Of
the family were Mt military ball.
whereupon he announced his intention.
OF joining them there.
Hastily donnlng an evening suit, he
went 20 the barracks. introduced him
self 10 the presiding colonel and at
once gained admission 20 the ballroom.
He found a crowd OF men In an. al
cove OF the long room. heard the repair
tee that a womans voice flung among
them just MS be entered and. looking
over their shoulders. met his wife's
glance The smile that was dlmplIng
her face changed 10 look OF horror as
she recognized him. and, uttering q
piercing sh-iek. she fell, or pretended
10 fan into a swoon.
when she was sufficiently recovered.
the major took her home. but she con-
tinued "a fall into Mysteries at inter
walls during the rest Of the night
Two years afterward Major Denison
shot himself through jealousy Of his
wife, leaving her a comfortable fortune.
The garrison lily stIll lives. She reg
ularly goes to church, dresses quietly
though richly. and Is considered the
pink of propriety she has few visit
ors and as she cares nothing for books.
cards or the society Of her own sex
finds life dull liz is doubtful lf she