The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1909-05-01

4 ~ lARt Alnut.
Alonel That was the word In the
letter that struck like ice upon any
sore heart. ! was utterly alone! Even
Aunt Ryder was my uncle's widow.
not really related TO me- though Elsie
and both loved her Elsie was my
stepsister. my second mother since my
own died In my infancy, my teacher.
friend. companion and comforter. And
Elsie was dead
But / accepted Aunt Ryder's invita-
ton and was preparing 10 visit her for
the summer when | found the key
note OF Elsie's life. her diary.
read 1t. | am not going 10 quote
Il here. but far back upon the yellow
pages / read how my sister gave her
heart years before 10 one Rodney Wal
lace; how they had loved and exchanc-
ed VOWS and rings and wedding day
was set and how he left her TO pre-
| pare home In tho city for his bride
and never returned.
| burned the diary because upon one
of the pages Elsie had begged l would
IL ever l read II.
Then / finished my packing and
went 20 my Aunt Ryder. She was the
widow Of my mothers brother, and
our grandfathcr's estate was divided
now between herself and me.
Aunt Ryder took me TO Newport and
insisted on my wearing thin, light
black dresses and white lace.
We had been but n few days Mt New
port when Aunt Ryder, who Is hand
some, sprlghtly woman, greatly ad-
mired IN society, met some friends she
had known in Paris, where she had
lived many years. She was quite ex-
cited over this meeting and insisted
upon having luncheon party at our
cottage
"Do try 10 brighten up a little. Rho
da, for one Of my great pets viii be
here
"And who IS sheg' | asked
This time IL Is he. He went 10
Paris some eighteen years ago, and
your uncle was very intimate with
him. They were both artists and had
a mutual admiration for each others
works | have not seen him since |
left Paris-riine-te years ago"
Does he happen 10 have anything
50 convenient as nameG" | asked
"Oh, yes Rodney Wallace. He paint.
ed that portrait Of mine over the piano
at home with II. W. IN Que corner"
Not an hour later, black dress, white
roses. CHASTITY face and all, ! was pre-
scented TO a TALL grave man with iron
gray hair and soft brown eyes, the
very reverse OF the gay Lothario had
| pictured.
/ was young. romantic, and l hated
this grave, sad man with all the Inn
petuosity OF my youth and romance,
and yet he awed me from the first
There was n grave patience about him
that reminded me OF Elsie. And II
was 70 me. to me who so hated him,
that he turned for companionshlp all
through that long summer time.
And T. little by little, learned les
son. How could love when / hated?
How could my heart be won by my
sisters murdererg
So the dying days OF August found
me not frightened or benefited by my
sojourn az Newport. but pale, listless.
wretched, tortured by my fidelity to
the dead. my love and hate for the liy
Ing.
One resolve | made-I would never
marry Rodney Wallace.
Yet when he wrote TO me a manly,
straightforward letter asking my love
Il cost me hours OF widest weeping 10
,,,a,.. 49,. lion - ~ rnffroa him
While tried 10 nerve myself 10
send away the fatal letter heard
steps In the drawing room. End then
Aunt Ryder spoke.
"Rcdney," she said In a tender voice,
as II she were speaking 60 her own
son, you have made me very happy.
/ hoped this would happen when ] I'M
troduccd you 70 Elsle's sister"
"Elsie's sister," Rodney cried harsh
~ az had never heard him speak be-
fore.
Flush! Elsie was not false"
"Not false Was she not my betroth
ed. almost my bride? Did | not love
her with all the strength OF my heart?
She broke my heart: she desoated my
llfel And now-now you tell me the
woman love as never hoped to love
again Is Elsle's sister,"
My heart throbbed almost suffocat
ingly; my brain reeled; the room seem
ed 20 grow black and rock around me. |
But ! heard Aunt Ryder speak
Rodney IN those days In Paris |
when | knew but little Of your story. |
never dreamed that K was elsie
whom you loved"
but the truthT Rodney pleaded.
what was the trnthT
elsie did not write that letter Ei- |
sic died, believing you false 70 her.
She was her mothers helress. Rodney, |
and her mother married n villain. |
We're Elsie married and his own child !
still a mere baby the home must be
broken MP. the money held IN your con
troll and that Of the trustees. and so n
forged letter was sent 10 you."