The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1916-11-25

ION. An hsrlrtAnL read tho Hcfvtccs
and tho rector preached the sermon.
Arkansaw. gazing for the first time
In several years ON his old chum, saw
that he had grown sleek and parted
his hair In the middle. Ills sermon
was ON the value OF a covect interpre-
tation OF the Scriptures. and his In
depreciation OF certain passages per-
tanning TO riches were very comforting
10 his congregation. Arkansaw was
slightly disappointed I'm his friends de-
velopment. but his heart was still with
the man who had been his chum TIL tho
spell--on his chum's part-had been
broken by marriage. At the end OF
the service he waited at tho church
door for the rector and his family To
come out Vinton on seeing him grasp
ed his hand cordially, but Mrs. Nm
ton could not conceal look OF annoy
ance. Arkansaw was dressed In south
western costume His hat did not
shine as did the rector's. for tho latter
was OF silk, while Arkansaw's was OF
felt. with very wide brim.
"Come 20 my study tomorrow" said
vinton. This Is, OF course. busy
day with me- Monday Is for us OF the
cloth our day Off. shall expect you
by o'clock"
Then Vinton was hurried away by
his wife lest he should be seen talking
20 the rawboned Arkansan.
Davis rather expected his old chum
20 take him home with him TO dinner.
vinton did not dare 10 do SO since hs
knew the guest would be frozen out by
his wife. So the man from the south
west was thrown upon his own re-
sources for the rest OF the day. After
dinner he sat smoking In the hotel Of
fee. A gentleman sitting near opened
conversation with him.
Before parting with this person
Davis learned disagreeable truth.
There was n skeleton I'm the rectory OF
Vinton's church. Mrs. Vinton was nc
cepting the attentions OF man OF
fashion. The congregation would have
already brought the matter before tho
vestry except for their attachment To
their rector. who was the only PERSON
that appeared 10 be ignorant OF ths
situation.
The next morning Davis and Vintoa
met I'm the Yector's study. Vintons now
that no was alone with his old chrm.
relapsed into the chum OF former days.
But there was no invitation TO tho rec
tory. Mrs yinton had put her veto ON
Arkansaw.
How long Will you stay here. Ark p
asked the rector
I'm not decided about my going.
may be hero day or two, and
may 60 suddenly, 80 I'll say goodby
In case don't see you again"
Vinton pressed his friends hand
Davis saw that there was something
on his mind. but could not fathom 1t.
The same afternoon the tall soFth-
erner appeared at the Office OF one II.
Robinson Rhodes and sent In his card.
The Office boy who delivered it return
ed with the inquiry as TO the nature
OF the callers business.
Private" was the reply.
The boy went back and presently re-
turned with. the words Come In" and
led the visitor 60 tho Office door. Davis
saw man dressed Ia the height OF
fashion sitting at rosewood desk.
Looking about 90 see that they were
alone, the southcrner closed tho door
and turned the key. Mr. Rhodes look.
eel at him IN surprise.
"What do you want with me, siry
he said
"Sign that" replied Davis, laying
4
lt read:
From this day / agree 10 forego any
association with n lady 10 whom l have
been paying marked attention. never again
20 call upon her NJ her house or TO join
her elsewhere
Mr.. Rhodes eyes were fixed upon
this paper long enough TO have read It
n dozen times He was thinking what
TO do. He was no coward and resolved
TO try TO dominate the man who seem
ed disposed 20 interfere I'm his Affairs.
lie turned upon Davis fiercely.
as this case OF blackmail"
"You know that II Is not"
81 don't know who is the lady to-
whom you refer, but n you Intend Co
drag any lady into a quarrel you are
There IL no necessity for dragging
the lady's name into n quarrel have
not mentioned her In his paper"
Suppose | refuse to Sign III"
"You shall sign IT.
"IIow do you propose TO compel me y
'-rhere IN but one way | can compel
you without inJuring Others. lf you
refuse / shall seek you out in some
public place and Insult you. I am not
known IN this city. and no one will sup
pose that my real motive IL 70 prevent
your bringing ruin upon my friend. Ills
wife and his children"
There was something so quietly de-
tcrmned In the southcrner's manner
that his adversary saw there was no
escape for him What his course would
have been had he not had all 10 lose