The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1916-11-18


magnifed the whole affair 10 absurd
proportions.
Perhaps 1t was the intenzty OF his
gaze that caused Louise to glance up.
His expression startled her. His eyes
were burning. His face was unnatu-
rally white. He met her glance, but
gave no sign OF recognltion-a rude
ness that he regretted even while he
manifested H.
Louise turned away proudly. calling
Winthrop's attention TO huge garden
seat beneath the live oaks 1--WE have
dinner out there quite often" she said.
her eyes glowing would you care 10
rest awhile after your rider"
"A jug OF wine-a loaf OF bread -
he quoted.
But 1t isn't a wilderness. And din
ner won't be ready for an hour yet.
Don't you think a wilderness would
have been utterly stupid with his
thou beside him singing everlasting.
lyf Now please don't say, 1T would
depend on the thou"
do you sing. Miss LacharmeT'
"A little"
please. then. little. Then I'll an
swer your question"
II had rather not just now
"My answer would be the same ia
either case This IS living, after the
desert and its loneliness. | discovered
one thing out there. however, myself.
1t was surprise. My way back an
cestors must have been pirates"
Mine grew roses In southern
France"
II am glad they eventually came to
| America" he said.
Are you so fond of candy, Mr.. Win
| thropT
mo"
Neither am l."
I'm glad they came. just the same.
simply can't help It."
Overland = Mr.. Summers doesn't
take life very seriously. does heT"
| asked Louise.
mot as seriously as life has taken
him at odd times"
"You brought Collie in your car,
didn't your"
Eyes"
Hes much better?"
Eyes. But he's pretty shaky yet.
He's a little queer, in fact. AS we
| came up the canyon he asked me to
stop the car by the cliff near this end
that place where the sunlight comes
through a kind OF notch I'm the west l
thought he was tired of the motion of
the car, so we stopped, and he lay back
looking at the cliff. Pretty soon the
sun shot long ray past US, and It fair
| ly splattered gold on the canyon wall.
] Then the shaft OF sunlight went out.
1t viii shine again. he said, as II
didn't know that. Collie's n pretty sick
man"
Later winthrop and Louise Joined
| the others at the yeranda. Louise ex-
cused herself. She searched long
time before she found another rose.
This time It was a Colombo bud, full,
red and beautiful. She stepped to Col
| lies window. "Boyp' she called softly.
white and trembling, he stood in the
long window looking down at her.
I'm glad you are home again." she
said.
He nodded and glanced away.
boy" she called again, "catch"
And she tossed the rose. He caught II
AQnd pressed 1t to his lips.
.l1vening, placidly content with the
pm silence, departed lingeringly.
5yar, the black pony, shook his
with a silyery jingllng Of rein
IS. His sleek tanks glstened in
moonlight. Louise curbed him
iy with hand and voice as he
ped through the wide gateway OF
anch.
the edge Of the Old Meadow the
....a dismounted, allowing Boyar to
.siaZe at viii.
, She climbed 20 the low rounded rock,
her crstwhile throne OF dreams, where
she sat with knees gathered to her In
her clasped hands. The pony paused
in his grazing 20 lift his head and look
at her with gently wondering eyes.
The utter solitude OF the place, far
above the viewless valley. allowed her
thought n horizon impossible at the
Moonstone rancho. Alone she faced
the grave question or making an un.
alterable choice. Collie had asked her
to marry him. She had evaded direct
reply TO his direct question. she knew
OF no good reason why she should
marry him. She knew Of no better
reason why she should not. She
thought she was content with being
loved. She was, for the moment.
Got match, kidY'
Louise raised her head. Some one
was afoot on the Old Meadow trail
She could hear the whisper OF dried
grasses against the boots Of the men
as another voice replied, Sure! Here
you are" And Louise knew that Collie
was one OF the men.
About 10 call she hcsitated, strange
/ " curious ms 90 who the other man
might be aud why Collie and he should
forcrather ga the Old Meadow az night