The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1915-10-30

CHAPTER williamson Nichols comes
20 tho house and tells Noreen OF her IA
Tiers death. ----------------
entering Into fer lie Tor Tie nrst time.
This expression was in the eyes sur
veying me as ate-quiet. earnest
eyes, utterly devoid OF suspicion.
You are a very young man." she
said simply.
mot seriously So" answered,
rather inclined to resent the charge.
II am twenty-four."
you look like boy used to know
only his eyes were darker, and he
had long hair"
Indeed" caught my breath
quickly, yet held my eyes Arm. Some
one living about here?"
Yes: his name was Wyatt. never
knew him very we'll. only you recalled
him to memory In some way. He and
his mother went South when the war
first broke out Where was your
homef"
In Burlington. Vermont"
you are a regular SOLDIER"
Il was a junior at West Point last
year; we were graduated ahead OF
our class"
Her eyes fell. the lashes outlined on
her cheeks. her hands clasped on the
table.
isn't that odd" she said quietly.
"Do you know Nine. HactelPs school
for young ladies' at Compton on the
Hudson? That Is where papa sent me
and | was at the senior hop at West
Point a year ago last June. hall
dozen OF us girls went up; Fred Carl
ton OF Charleston was In that class
and he invited me. You knew him, oil
course?"
My lips were dry. but nodded, hall
fearful | might be slipping into some
trap, although her words and manner
were surely innocent enough.
I'VE were acquaintances, moi
friends" / replied, hoping the retort
might cause her TO change the subject
Most OF the boys seemed TO like
him. He was very pleasant to me, anc
/ had a splendid time. ! met one
cadet named Raymond; he had darl
hair and eyes"
"Oh, yes" managed to answer
now desperately alert. There wal
another in the class-James r., ! be
lieve."
Il did not learn his first name. bu
when heard that Lieutenant Ray
mond was coming here. hoped !
might be he. That was why was 81
deeply Interested. II Is not such
common name. you know"
/ made some answer, and she sa
there silently. her face turned now &c
ward the fire in the crate. The profit
held me In fascination. as wondere
what these seemingly innocent cues
lions could signify. Anyhow. let tn
truth be what II may, there was n
other course left for me. but to kee
on with the deception. was In tn
heart OF the enemy's country. In di'
gulse. my life forfeit In case OF disco'
erx. and the time had not come whe
/ could entrust her with so dangerou
a secret.
The wind ratified the blinds, and tn
FAlU peat UtaNlA9 ahaAhfN N'o ''-N
the house. The thought of yenturin
out into the storm, not knowing wher
could seek shelter, was not an allu
ing one. Nor had | any excuse TO urs
for immediate departure; indeed as
gentleman and soldier my duty Gale
me TO remain for her protection. 81
ohr<d not be left alone In this des
late house. II was my steady ga
that reused the lady from whatev'
dream the flames OF the CRATE ha
given her. She turned her head
meet my eyes-then sat sudden
u erect. the expression of her face l
stantly changing. as she stared b
yond me at the open door. / wheel'
about to. look. startled at the NOV
ment. A man stood In the doorwa
water streaming from his clothes on
4 the noor. was on my feet Instant
n hand gripping my revolver. but
Tore could whip II from the lcath
sheave. the girl had taken the sins
step forward. and grasped my sleeve
do not frel" she exclaimed. II
IL not = lighting man"
The fellow lifted one arm. a
steppcd forward full into the light.
was a man OF years. unsrmed. a Il
unEaiplg aEzsre. = soraEsiy beard