The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1916-11-18
When Dick
Came Home
He Discovers His
Mistake.
BY CLARISSA MACKIE

Ut MauSnelu SlOou IN the uOOEWhy
and beamed kindly upon the merry
dancers who were tripping over the
polished floor. II was Elias birthday.
and this dance given by the doctor for
his adopted daughter had been talked
about In Shropton for many weeks be
forehand. Ella herself. tall and fair,
with restless blue eyes. that seemed
always seeking Dick Allen when he
was not beside her. was dancing with
Frank Miller. Frank would gladly
have married the doctors pretty daugh-
ter but every one knew that she was
only waiting for Dick Allen 10 make
up his mind.
Her rowing eyes saw Beth Page
smiling up at Dicks downbent face.
The two were standing together-Dick
so tall and Beth so tiny and so very
charming In spite OF her cheap. home
made dancing frock, which had cost
twenty times less than Elias rose pink
Grape
Beth was saying something now I'm
her frank, open manner, you haven't
danced once with Ella. and 1t Is her
party, Dick"
I'm going now" he said gulltlly.
"Save another one for me. Beth"
you've had your share" she retort-
ed as he moved away.
Ella greeted him With naughty tilt
OF her chin. and when he asked her TO
dance she shook her head. You are
too late. Dick" she said coldly. al.
though her voice was very near TO
tears.
"Then you viii talk with me until
some one comes and takes you away"
he urged, for now he was under the
magic sway OF her beauty.
IL cannot, but | have the supper
dance. | saved II for you. Dick" she
cried hastily.
"For me? oh. you have honorcd
me- he cried contritely And he was
so remorscful that he would not go
near Beth until after supper.
Dir. Mansfield, watching his young
people, saw Elias unhappy face and
wished I'm his laundering way that he
could help matters along. He liked
Dick and would gladly have welcomed
him into the family He wondered
why Dick was holding back the inn
portant question.
Dick himself was wondering that
while he danced the supper dance with
Ella and afterward led her into the
dining room. where supper was spread
at a great round table with many lit
tie thanking tables.
The birthday cake was placed be-
fore Ella. and when the time came
she was 20 cut IL.
There IL ring In II and thimble
and n coin" she told Dick.
"A ring? What does that signifyr
he asked carelessly.
"Oh, wedding for the lucky finder"
"And the coln2'
"Rlches"
"And the thimble?"
"SNnsterhood- ALAS" she sighed.
Now Ella was cutting the cake.
There was much laughter and gay
chatter. Dick noticed that she watch
ed the slices closely MS they fell be
meath the silver knife
He saw the ring I'm its twisted waxcd
paper plainly imbedded In the cake.
Ella saw Il too. The silver knife
poised trcmblcd and then went swift
ly over TO the other side OF the loaf
and began 10 cut
Dick felt dizzy for a moment, and
then he was glad that he had seen II
I'm time
Ella had cheated. she had seen the
ring and was saving II for herself
All the while Dick was shocked he
was thinking that Beth Page never
would have done such thing. Beth
would have taken whatever luck came
along and gone bllthely on her way
"What Is the matter2" Elias voice
broke through the gale Of merrlment
about him.
"Why why nothing he stan-
mercd
"why don't you look happy7' asked
! Ella Don't you see what has hap
pencd?"
Dicl, looked az the bit OF waxed pa.
per hi one Of her hands and the
sparkling sapphire ring on her right
/ hand.
/ II drew the flngE she exclaimed
You drew the ring" be repeated
\ stupidity.
And Frank Miller drew the coin
I Frank Will be rich
And the thimblef" he asked, not be
cause he cared. but because he was
trying 20 rcadjust his thoughts Ella
had cheated. and he had thought he
loved her
+ Now he felt only contempt for her
! and pity
/ ",rhc thmblc." she was saying care
7 lessly. "Oli. Beth Page drew the thin
blel Isn't II odd that she should draw
\ the symbol OF spinsterhood Just when
she is going TO marry Frank Millerg
AZ least that Is what every one says"
Tho neyt dny Dick went aWnv a