The diamond drill., 1915-08-21

Brodin, from his post OF observation on
the Winnebago porch, saw the writing
man cross the street and enter hard
ware shop. Having nothing better TO
do, he, too. crossed the street and. In
passing. looked into the open door Of
Simmons & Klelfurt's. What he saw
/ brought him back at the end OF re-
Elective stroll around the public square.
When he entered the shop the clerk
was putting formidable array OF
| weapons back into their showcase
inches. Broffin lounged up and began
to handle the pistols.
IF knew enough about guns TO be
able TO tell 'em apart, I might buy
one." he said. half humorously. And
then: You must va been having q
mighty particular customer-to get
so many OF 'em out"
1T was Mr.. Griswold. Mr.. Ed Ray
mer's new partner" said the clerk
And he was pretty particular; wouldn't
have anything but these new-fash-
ioned automatics. Said he wanted
something that would be quick and
sure. and l guess he's got it, sold
him two OF EN-
Brofin played with the stock long
enough to convince the clerk that he
was only counter lounger with no In
tention OF buying. Took two OF 'em.
did he?-for fear one might make him
sick. reckon" he said. with the half
humorous grin still lurking under the
dropping mustaches. Automatic thirty
twos, eh? Well, ain't goin' to try to
hold your Mr--Griscom. did you call
him?-up none after this. He might
git me-"
Whereupon. having found out what
be wanted to know. he lounged out
again and went back to the hotel to
smoke another OF the reflective cigars
In the porch chair which had come TO
be his by right OF frequent and long
continued occupancy.
GrjswoId had left the Mereslde
library considerably shaken, not In his
convictions, to be sure. but In his con-
fidence In his own powers OF imagi
native analysis. For this cause II re-
quired a longer after-dinner stay at
the Farnhams than he had been allow
ing himself. to re-establish the norm
OF self-assurance. Charlotte Farnham
was never enthusiastic; that, perhaps.
would be asking too much or an ideal;
but what she lacked In warmth was
made up In cool sanity. backed by
moral sense that seemed never to wa
YER. Unerringly she placed her nnger
upon the human weaknesses In his
book people, and unfalteringly she
bade him reform them.
For his Fidelia. as he described her.
she exhibited a gentle affection. tenn
pered by compassionate pity for her
weaknesses and waverings: an atti-
| tude, he fatuously told himself forced
upon her because her own standards
were so much higher than any he
could delIneate or conceive. For Joan
there was also compassion. but II was
mildly contemptuous.
"If did not know that you are In
capable OF doing such a thing. might
wonder II you are not drawing your
Joan from life, Mr.. Griswold," she said,
little coldly. on this same evening OF
rehabilitations. Since such characters
are to be found in real life. suppose
| they may have a place In a book. But
you must not commit the objectionable
sin OF making your readers condone
| Please forget what have said about
your Fidelia and-and your Joan. You
are trying TO make them human, and
that is as II should be-"
GrIswold could scarcely believe the
evidence OF his senses. He told him
self fercely that he would never be-
leve, without the confinement OF
fact, that the ideal could step down
from It's pedestal.
"You are meaning TO be kind to me
now. at the expense OF your convic-
tlons, Miss Charlotte" he protested
warmly.
NO" she denied gravely. Listen,
and you shall Judge. Once. only a
short time ago was brought face 70
face with one Of these terrible COM
promises. In a single instant, and by
no fault OF my owa. the dreadful shears
OF fate were thrust into my hands. and
conscience-what I have been taught
} to call the Christian conscience-told
me that with them | must snip the
| threadtof mans life. And then chance
threw US together. A new world was
opened to me In those few moments.
had thought that there could be no
possible question between simple right
and wrong. but almost in his frst word
the man convinced me that, whatever
I might think or the world might say,
his conscience had fully and freely ac-
quilted him. And he proved Il; proved
II so that can never doubt II as long
as live. He made me do what my
conscience had been telling, me ought
TO do--just as your Fleming makes
| Fidelia do"