The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-05-30
FACE ON THE CANVAS

kIlkG.
Two girls sat In the left hand box.
chatting together. Their faces shone
whtsay In the half light The lines OF
their proflles were so delicately fine
that many turned to look at them.
Last night" Mabel was saying, Il
dreamed of muddy water / kept
ireanlng OF It all night long II came
on and on. rolling up to my very feet.
The waves were big turbulent. threat
enlng. | was afraid"
"A sign Of trouble" murmured Flor
encc-'that Is. unless IL cleared. Did 1t
clearT' ~
Mabel frowned. She closed her fan
and tapped il impatiently against the
palm OF her other hand.
"No, Il didn't" she answered. "But
what difference did that maker
"when dld you hear from Arthur"
Arthur was Mabeis soldier sweetheart
/ "That IS the trouble" sighed Mabel
II haven't heard from him for ages,
but / am expecting him home daily
I His regiment came last week, but he
was not with H. Perhaps he stopped
somewhere 10 rest Ii Is n wonder they
didn't all die down there In That oven
OF a place" Then under her breath
she added. II hate that dream of mud
| dy water"
81 thought you didn't believe in
dreams" exclaimed Florence.
81 don't. but
She was interrupted by the appear
ance OF 'Me and Jack" upon the can
vas. There was a ripple of subdued
| laughter as the little girl fell from the
ropes into the water, the dog swim
ming coolly Off and leaving her there.
Picture after picture was then pre-
pared There was the naval parade,
the wnrships passing up the Hudson,
the yachts Swimming swiftly in front
OF them. partially obstructing the view
OF the sailors, who stood like white
statues along their decks; next IIobson
walked leisurely down the deck OF
little cruiser; then review OF the
troops az Tampa was announced
Perhaps II IS Arthur's regiment that
IS 10 be reviewed. whispered Mabel,
clasping her hands ecstatlcally togeth-
er. "Oh, l hope sou
There was n drumbeat, and before
dim vista OF white tents the troops
passed In review.
Their faces look sad" said Flor
encc. "and they walk as IL they We're
tired 10 death"
A white dog, the mascot OF the regi-
ment, occupied the center OF the can
vas for a second, a soldier following.
A piece OF paper noated along be-
hind. Then came a row OF six stall
wart men. The man In front suddenly
turned his face toward the audience.
He looked straight at Mabel. His eyes
were hollow and sad. Intense weari-
ness was stamped upon every line OF
his gaunt features.
Mabel leaned eagerly forward. she
laid hold OF Florences arm.
Look. Florencev she gasped. look,
Il is Arthur
In a moment the face was gone from
the canvas, others had taken IT'S place,
the drum ceased TO beat, the review
was over. ana the canvas was dark
again.
Mabel was white 10 the lips. She
hurrledly gathered up her belongings,
her fan, her handkerchief, her opera
glasses
What are you aboutT' asked Flor
ence. THE thing Is not half over"
II can't help H." said Mabel IL
must 90 now. The heat in here Is
sitting l can't stand II. l must have
the fresh air"
Outside she trembled so that Flor
ence took her arm.
"If | were you." she said. IL should
be glad that I saw him. Why do you
worry SOP
Ellis eyes were hollow and sad"
stammered Mabel, "and his cheeks
were thin He looked so tlred-so
dead tired oh. Florence, suppose he
IS very M, suppose-oh, remember my
DREAM
Florence affected an overwhelming
surprise
Il thought YOU didn't believe In
drcamsg' said she.
II don't ! don't Who but an idiot
would believe IN such rank foollshncss.
but you can't help thinking
"Oh, yes, YOU cant Come, we VIII
take this car. and VIII see you home
myself Don't be sillyr'
by the time they reached the house
Florence had coaxed the girl into some
thing ike her old gayety. She laughed
at bit OF her nonsense as they ran
Up the steps together.
They passed into the hall. On n liz.
tie table reserved for cards lay a let
ter
Mabel took Il up and held II between
her forefnger and thumb. II was old
and yellow. A dozen postmarks dlsfig.
ured the face OF IT, upon which there
was no stamp.
Florence took II from her.
II WIN open II for YOU" she said.
Mabel sank upon her knees on the