The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1913-06-14

guests az such functions was conspic'
uously absent. The scarce-broken
hush that spread through the chain OF
rooms seemed TO bear ont still further
I Mrs Greer's mortuary simile.
But the constraint In no way ex-
tended 10 the host himself The
strong. alert face. with IT'S shrewd
light eyes and humorous mouth. was
wreathed In welcoming smiles that
seemed to ripple In series OF waves
from the close-cut reddish hair to the
pondsrous iron jaw. The thickset
form OF the Railroader, massive OF
shoulder and sturdily full OF limb.
was ever plunging forward TO grip
some favored newcomer by the hand.
or darling 10 one side or the other as
he whispered instructions TO servant
or relative.
II congratulate you on your friends
repoee OF manner" whispered Mrs.
Greer, as she and her husband awaited
their turn. "He has all the calm self.
assurance OF Jumping jack"
But there are springs OF chilled
steel IN the jumping Jack" whispered
Greer. Hes out OF his element. and
he knows II. But he isn't so badly
confused for all that II you saw him
at convention or board meeting.
you wouldn't know him for the
same"
And there's his poor little wife.
looking as much like rabbit as ever!
She's a cipher here; and even her
husbands figure in front OF her doesn't
raise the cipher to the tenth power.
! suppose that is the daughter. 20 Mrs.
Conoyer's lett7 The slender girl with
the rust-colored hair and the brown
syess She's prettier and more OF a
thoroughbred In looks than ! should
/ have"
That's not his daughter. That's
Miss Lanier. Conover's secretary. His
daughter is the"
"His secretary? Why. is she receiy'
ing7"
she is his secretary and everything
else. She came here three years ago
as Blanchss governess. To give the
( poor girl sort OF winding.up polish
| before Caleb sent her 10 Europe. She
made all sorts OF hit with Conover
Principally because she's the only
person on earth who isn't afraid OF
/ him. so hear And now she is sec
I rotary, and major domo. aid right
I hand man, and / don't know what
/ not else. Mrs Conoyer's only a
cipher as you say. and Miss Alice
/ Lanier- not Caleb-is the figure In
front OF her That's the new-made
princess, 10 the right. The tall one
/ with tho no-colored hair. ] suppose
/ that's the Prince d'Antri beside her. p"
Hes too handsome 10 BIO a very
real prince. What a face for a sculp-
/ tor or"
"Or a barber. A beard like that"
A gorgeously apparelled couple Just
| in front OF the Greers, In the line,
moved forward within the zone OF
/ Conover's greeting Caleb nodded pa
tronizingly TO the man. and more civ
lily TO the woman.
mr. Conover," the latter was MUIR
muring In an anguish of respectful
embarrassment, tbs great honor
you do me and the man. askin' rs here
tonight with all your stylish friends.
an"
ION. there's more than your hus-
band and me. here. who'd get hungry
by habit II they heard noon whistle
blow" laughed Conover, as with a
Jerk OF his red head and a word OF
pleasant welcome. he passed them on
down the reception line. Then the
Railroader's light, deep-set eyes fell
on Greer, and he stepped forward.
Good evening Greer" he cried.
both hands outstretched.
and there was a subcurrent OF latent
power I'm his hearty voice. Good
evening, Pleased to see you in my
house. Mrs, Greer. | presume? Most
kind OF you TO come. ma'am. Proud
10 mabe your acquaintance. Lefty
summoning with jerk OF the head
an overdressed, frightened-looking III
tie woman from the line behind him
Lefty, this is my very good friend
Mr. Talbot Firth Greer-Nrs Conover
Mr.. and Mrs. Greer. Mr.. Greer Ia
the next Congressman from the Elev
enth District Chats little proph'
ecy, Mr.. Greer You can gamble on
It's coming true) My daughter. Prin
cess d'Antri Mr.. and Mrs Greer
Prince Amadeo d'Antri My secre
tary, Miss Alice Lanier-Mr. and
Mrs"
a new batch OF guests swarmed
down the hall toward the host, and
the ordeal was over. The Greers
swept on In the rush, did not hear
Conoyer's next greeting This wa:
rather pity,'since Il differed mater
tally from that lavished upon them
selves.
It's recipient was a big young. man
with shock OF light hair and quiet
dark eyes. lie wore his clothes well
and looked out OF place in his vulgar
garish surroundings. Caleb Conoyer
Railroader, eyed the newcomer nj
over with cold. expressionlesi
= -. A svInr.. -