The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1919-10-18


moved TO the doorway into the halI.
I'm going out driving. dear. T."
She interrupted herself to address the
housemaid, who was passing through
the hall II think it's Mr.. Morgan.
Mary. Tell him I'll be there at once. .
Yes. mn'am."
Mary returned. "'Twas a peddler.
ma'am.n
Another one?" Isabel said. sur-
prised. II thought you said II was n
peddler when the bell rang n little
while ago"
| Mister George said IL was. maam
he went to the door," Mary Informed
her. disappearing.
There seem to be great many OF
them. Isabel mused what did
yours want to sell. Georgeyr
He didn't say"
You must have cut him Off short 80
she laughed: and then. still standing
IN tile doorway, she noticed the biz
silver frame upon the table beside
him. Gracious, George !" she exclalm-
ed. you have been investingl' and
as she. came across the room for
closer view. rs it's IL Lucyf" she
asked half tinidly. half archly. But
The next instant she saw whose like
ness was thus set forth In elegiac.
spiendor-and she was silent. except
for a long. just-audible "Ohr
He ueither looked up nor moved.
THAT was nice OF YOU. George"
she said. in low voice presently. IT
ought TO have had II framed. myself.
when ! gave II TO you"
He said nothing, and. standing he
side him. she put her hand gently up-
on bis shoulder. then as gently with
drew IL. and went out Of the room.
Bnt she did not go upstairs: he heard
the faint rustic OF her dress In the
hall. and then the sound OF her foot
steps In the reception room" After
time. silence succeeded even .hcse
slight tokens OF her presence where
upon George rose and went warily in.
to the hall, taking care 10 make no
noise. and he obtained an oblaue view
OF her through the open double doors
ting In the chair which he had occu-
pied so long and she was looking
out OF the window expectantly-a III. |
tie troubled.
He went back 10 the library. waited |
nm interminable half hour then re- |
turned noiselessly 20 the same position
In the hall. where he could see her.
She was still sitting patiently by the
window.
Waiting for that man, was she?
Well, II might be quite long wait
And the grim George silently assembled
the stairs 10 his own room. and began
TO pace his suffering floor.
tic left his door open. however, and
when be heard the front door bell
ring, by and by. he went half way
down the stairs and stood to listen.
He was not much afraid that Nor
gan would return, but he wished to
make sure.
Mary appeared IN The hall below
him. but, after a glance toward the
front OF the house. turned back, and
Evidently Isabel had gone
TO the door. Then murmur was
heard, and George Amberson's voice,
quick and serious: II want to talk
20 you, Isabel" and another
then Isabel and her brother
passed the foot Of the broad. dark
but did not look up, and
remained unconscious Of the watchful
presence above them
For n time all that George could
iear was the indistinct sound of his
incle's voice: what he was saying
,ouId not be sIrmised. though the
roubled brotherllness OF his tone was
'vident He seemed TO be explaining
at considerable length, and
here were moments when he paused.
md George guessed that his mother
vas speaking. but her voice must have
'een very low, for II was entirely in
hubble TO him.
Suddenly he did hear her Through
he heavy doors her outcry came.
lear and loud:
"Oh, nor
II was a cry OF protest, as II some
hing her brother told. her must be I'M
rue. or. IL II were true. the fact he
tated must be undone; and II was a
ound OF sheer pain.
Another sound OF pain. close to
ieorge. followed II: this was n vehe.
rent smiling which broke out just
bove him, and. looking up. he saw
anny Minafer on the landing. lean
NJ over fha haniaforc md apnIving
er handkerchief to her eyes and
ose.
II can guess what that was about"
he whispered husklly. Ties just
Did her what you did To Eugenew
George gave her dark look over
is shoulder. you go on back 10
our rooml" he said; and he began TO
escend the stairs; but Fanny, guess
X his purpose. rushed down and
lught his arm dptoinInp him