The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-04-20

well. In the bondage OF my passion !
hoped for what might happen, as
every lover does.
II must have been two o'clock; we
had baited our horses. remember. an
hour previous: and the Sergeant had
enjoyed his MONDAY siesta beneath
the shade OF great bush bearing pur-
pie blossoms. The road We had been
travelling since early morning wound
IN and out among great trees, and
crossed and recrossed the little stream
called the Cowskin until / almost
thought we had lost our way. We met
with no one in all the long days rid
ing, not even stray negro, and In
deed IL was some hours since we had
passed house Of any kind. Leaving
the brook behind us we toiled slowly
up long hill. and al the top Bungay,
riding beside me, pointed to the west
ward
Cap" he said, thar is Their Minor
place.
The very sight Of It in the distance
was thrill--a great white house
placed well back from the road and
almost hidden from sight by fine,
large trees an oldfashioned, big
roomed house II looked TO be, built
after the colonial type, a wide veranda
upon three sides. with fiuted columns
to support the overhanging roof
"Hain't no signs as fer es | kin see
OF any trouble hayin' Cured thar,
Jed said slowly, his shrewd gray eyes
roaming over the peaceful scene.
Somebody ter hum tew, fer Their
chimley IL a smokin'."
or course. now was there. the only
sensible thing for me TO do would
have been 10 ride openly TO the front
door, and thus learn all desired But
what man who loves, who is continual
ly swayed by hopes and fears, by
strength and weakness. ever does the
sensible thing? had certainly in
tended doing SO at the start, but now
my nerve failed me. She was the
wife OF another ! could not confess
had yentured to come to her in love,
nor could look into those clear, hon
est, questioning eyes and lie.
Haiti" | ordered. Sergeant"
Il am here. Captain"
Take your men down into that hol-
low yonder, and remain there until /
return. Better post sentry on the
hill here"
1T viii be done, Captain"
Il shall not, probably, be absent
more than an hour, SO don't permit the
men to stray"
dot is It, Captain. viii be nit
dem all over"
rode down alone into the thick
woods at the foot Of the hill, and dis
mounting, tied my horse to sapling
Then on foot struck across the
fields, my intention being TO come In
by the way Of the negro quarters at
the rear, in hope Of meeting some one
from whom might inquire relative
TO the great house and its inmates.
II was a slight upward trend OF
land had to traverse, and although
the house was a most slightly object
and stood upon the very summit Of the
elevation, yet so surrounded was Ii
with trees, both fruit and ornamental,
was enabled 70 make but little Of its
situation until | approached the out
buildings ! met with no one. nor
could perceive any negroes about
the slave quarters Yet the place did
not bear the appearance Of desertion.
There were horses i'm the stable, a cat
was curled MP on one OF the cabin
door steps, and smoke continued to
pour In duh yellow cloud from the
kitchen chimney. Altogether there
was much In the situation to puzzle
ever, and no longer regretted that
had exercised some caution In my APP
proach
The orchard. with the remains OF a
garden, lay between the house and the
stable protected by a low fence OF
whitened pickets So far as ! could
observe. IL contained no occupant, and
| pushed open the gate and started
down narrow cinder-path which led
between two rows OF low bushes To
right Of me was an extensive grape
arbor, completely covered with vines,
the fresh green leaves forming a de.
lightfnl contrast 70 the deep blue sky
beyond As | came opposite an open.
ing leading into this arbor suddenly
caught the hutter OF drapery and
stopped instantly, my heart throbbing
like q frightened girls II was quite
dark beneath the vine shadow, and !
could make out no more than that
woman stood there. her back toward
me, busted at some task Possibly
she felt my presence, for all at once
she glanced around, and upon per
ceiving me gave vent 10 quick ex
clamation OF terror
Pardon me-" | said hastily. and 70
moving my hat, but you have nothing
TO fear"
There was a moments hesitancy on
her part, and knew | was being scru-
tinized by pair OF bright eyes.
Surely" said familiar voice. Il