The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-06-29
CHAPTER ..
Into the MaeIstrom.

in the afternoon OF April twelfth, or
the maelstrom OF mystery and tragedy
into which was about TO plunge.
was worried and anxious. II is true.
but only as every young man is who
finds himself for the first time deeply
in love. There was no portent of evil,
no foreshadowing OF the terrible chain
OF events that all but destroyed my
belief in my fellow.man, and left its
mark so deep upon my memory that
do not believe time ever can wholly
efface IL.
Even now that It Is all ended, and
over the household OF my sweetheart
has been dispelled and the hand whose
devilish ingenuity brought shame and
grief and wreck 10 SO many innocent
lives is paying the penalty behind
prison bars-even now l shudder at
tho sight OF anything yellow. A scrap
OF yellow paper wildly recalls-and /
fear always will recall--the painful
events OF the last few weeks.
had been waiting ever since my re-
turn from court for a telephone mes
sage that had not come--the word
from Louise which felt would decide
my fate. / had written to her the
night before, asking II ! might go TO
her in tho afternoon TO speak on a sub
jent OF importance. knew she would
understand the object OF my letter,
though all that had asked was that
she would telephone me earlier than
four whether she would be at home.
From my window had watched the
great hand on the Metropolitan tower
chimes began TO sing the hour OF four
] felt that ! could bear the suspense
no longer. Message or no message, /
would 20 TO her at once. Before the
vibrant note OF "On-n-n-n-e" had died
away l closed my desk with bang.
As the fourth stroke Teverberated /
stood with hat and overcoat on, my
hand on the knob of my Office door.
hoping yet 10 hear my telephone ring.
lmpatiently l waited minute and
then dashed toward the elevator. The
telephone, / learned afterward, rang
almost the minute / was out OF the
room and Louise's voice called fran
tically for me, but ] was not there TO
hear.
II was only a short walk up Madison
avenue 10 the home OF General Far
IRISH, the father OF Louise. With the
Ceubt that possesses every lover on
such a mission as this, | walked II,
low laggardly, az misgiyings filled my
tart, now quickening my pace as
9pe routed my fears. AS | turned
the corner into the street where the
Parrish home is situated my steps
were leaden. What right had / 20 ask
Louise Parrish to be my wife? The
daughter OF man worth many mil
lions, girl OF exquisite beauty and
OF many accomplishments, one who
could choose a husband where she
willed--what right had 20 hope that
she would ever consent 10 become the
wife OF struggling young lawyer
such as i? To be sure, my family was
OF the best. With my earnings and
the modest little fortune my father
had left me would be able to provid,
for her. But as yet, though my pros
poets were bright, | amounted 20 moth
ing in my profession. II would b
years before ! could hope 10 give M
wife the Injuries 10 which Louise Far
rish had been accustomed.
On the other hand. ] felt that Will
Louise as my wife ! could do grea
things. | loved her with great love
felt that her affection and companion
ship would be inspiration enough 70
any man 10 conquer the world.
hoped that she loved me. recalle,
the trihes which seemed to show, a
least, that she found pleasure In m,
society. tried TO comfort myself. toe
by remembering that General Farrisl
was a self-made man, that when h.
married he was as poor as |, II no
poorer. | knew that he liked me an
had confidence In me. Was IL ther
after all, ] asked myself. presumin
in me TO hope that Louise would III
ten 10 me and that her father woul
consent 10 her becoming my wife
yet, why had she not telephoned?
AS | dragged my hesitating fec
across the street ] was aroused froI
my reverie by the rush OF an autom,
bile that all but knocked me owe
With an angry imprecation at sue
reckless driving ! glanced up an
recognized the man who occupied 1
lie was standing beside his chauffeu
as II ready 20 leap out. II was DO
tor Wilcox. noted practitioner VIII
attended the Parrish family. and whoi
had met az their home. | plunge
forward in anxious dismay as ! sa
the machine halt before the Farris
door and the doctor jump out and ri
up the steps
~ first. my only thought. was
1 90. What could have happened
a nust be ill--desperately M. as N
haste suggested. Did not IN
q her failure TO telephone7 Cou
4 that she was deadl VIII