The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1915-02-27


there was nothing else left for him to
do. But. for all that. he despired
them--justifiably SO. no doubt. II one
bears In mind the fact that they signi
fed more TO James Brood than did
his long-neglected son.
The cold reserve that extended TO
the young man did not carry beyond
him In relation to any other member
OF the household so far as James
Brood was concerned. The unhappy
boy. early In their acquaintance. came
to realize that there was little In com
mon between him and the man he
called father. After while the eager
light died out OF his own eyes and he
no longer strove to encourage the In
Innate relations he had counted upon
as part OF the recompense for so
many years OF separation and loneli.
Eess. II required but little effort on
his part TO meet his fathers indiffer.
ence with coldness quite as pro
nounced; he had never known the
meaning of filial love: he had been
taught by word OF mouth to love the
man he had never seen. and he had
learned as one learns astronomy--by
calculation. He hated the two old men
because his father loved them.
The patient butler, Jones, had made
no less than four visits TO the library
since ten o'clock to awaken them and
pack them off to bed. Each time he
had been ordered away. once with the
joint admonition TO mind his own
business"
But II is nearly midnight" pro
tested Jones irritably, with a glance
at the almost empty decanter.
"Joues." said Danbury Dawes, wien
great dignity and an eye that de
ceived him to such degree that he
could not for the life OF him under
stand why Jones was attending them
In pairs, Zones. you ought to be AZ
hic-bed. d-n you-both of you. Wha
you mean, sir. by coming ,n--hlc--
here thish time o. night dis-disturb
ing"
you internal ingrate.' oroke I'm Mr.
Riggs fiercely. don't you dare to touch
that bottle, sir. Let IL alonel"
TITS time you were In bed, pro
nounced Jones. taking Mr.. Dawes by
the arm. Mr.. Dawes sagged heavily
In his chair and grinned triumphantIy
He was a short. very fat old man.
Take him to bed. Jones. said Mr..
Riggs firmly. Hes drunk and-and
utterly useless at time like this.
Take him along"
who the dev-hic--il are you, sir?
demanded Mr.. Dawes, regarding Mr.
Riggs as II he had never seen him
before.
You are both drunk" said Jones.
succinctly.
The heavy front door closed with a
bang at that instant and the sound Of
footsteps came from the hall--a quick.
firm tread that had decision IN 1t.
Jones cast furtive, nervous glance
over his shoulder.
I'm sorry to have Mr.. Frederic see
you like this" he said, biting his lip
He hates IT So
The two old men made a commend
able effort to stand erect, but no ef.
fort TO stand alone. They linked
arms and stood shoulder to shoulder
Show him in" said Mr.. Riggs, mag.
nificently.
Now wen find out wass In tele.
gram off briny deep" said Mr.. Dawes,
spraddling his legs a little farther
apart In order to declare stanch
front.
It's worth waiting up fer" said Mr..
Riggs.
Absolutely" said his staunch friend
Frederic Brood appeared In the
door, stopping short just inside the
heavy curtains. There was a momen.
tary picture, such as a stage director
would have arranged. He was still
wearing his silk hat and top-coat, and
one glove had been halted In the
process OF removal. Young Brood
stared at the group OF three, a frank
stare OF amazement. crooked smile
came to his lips.
Somewhat later than usual. | see,
he said. and the glove came off with a
jerk What's the matter, JonesP Re.
bellion7"
mo, sir. It's the wireless. sir"
"Wireless?"
'Briny Deep" said Mr. Dawes.
vaguely pointing.
oh" said young Brood, crossing
slowly to the table. He picked up the
envelope and looked at the inscrip.
ton. oh" said he again, In quite
a different tone on seeing that Il was
addressed to him. From father. I i
dare say" he went on, fine line ap.
pearing between his eyebrows.
The old men leaned forward, fixing
their blear eyes upon the missiye.
les hear the worst. Freddy" said
Mr.. Riggs.
The young man ran his finger undor
the flap and deliberately drew out the
message. There ensued another pic |
ture. AS he read his eyes widened
and then contracted: his firm young
l.