The diamond drill., 1920-04-17
A LIFE'S
ROMANCE

ardent love adventure. Very ration
ally Arnold Brant and Eugene Vale
had met fifty miles from her home.
had gone 10 an obscure clergyman.
and been united In marriage. The
new husband had just time TO catch
a train across the continent within
the hour. and those two, so hurriedly
bound In wedlock. as hurriedly parted.
"In two years, dear" Ne said, az
he kissed her gsod-by.
''You wouldn't walt. You would
have 1t So" she sighed. II hope It is
for the best"
"1he knowledge that you are mine.
all mine" returned Arnold Brant,
twill inspire me TO make a business
success"
The train flashed away. the bride
waved an adleu through mist or
tears. Before noon she was back at
home, passing into the house OF ha
brother Hartley. with whom she lived
and no one was the wiser.
Hers had been strange expert
ence. Almost from her baby days she
had been dominated by her brothers
will. He had one thought In life
10 make money. A cold. unsympa-
thetlc being, he chilled all the sweet
ness out of the life OF Eugenle, and
when she was seventeen forced her
into marrying Peter wynne.
The latter was man with pros
poets, which Hartley magnlfied. The
cheerless honeymoon lasted less than
n month and then Wynne went to the
far North TO develop some mining
property. IL turned out complete
fiasco, and a year later word was re-
ceived that Wynne was dead. Before
that event Eugenle pined In solitude
until. at neighbor's home, she met
Arnold Brant. There was no impulse
of dlsloyalty 10 Wynne. but deep.
unspoken love existed between those
two.
When the news came OF the death
OF Wynne, both Brant and herself
knew that the self-seeking Hartley
Vale would never sanction their
union. Brant had the offer Of posi-
tion in Australia. He induced Eugenie
TO consent 20 the secret marriage.
And when they parted az the steps OF
the altar and possible years OF part
Ing faced them. Eugenle was supreme
~ happy, for she had found love at
last.
Only one letter Eugene received
from Brant, telling that he was about
TO start into the most remote part OF
the country and that II his purpose
succeeded. he would return with suifi-
Client means 10 win him the approba-
tion and recognition of her mercenary
brother.
Then 10 Eugenle came an appalling
discovery. The full details OF the Ill-
ness and death of wynne arrived. The
first news had been premature. He
was mortally III. hut survived for sew
eral months. 1cting upon the initial
Intelligence. Eugenle had welded
Brant fifteen days before the demise
or her first husband
The later ceremony was illegal.
and she was simply n widow and the
man she cherished as her life's mate
was no more than an utter stranger.
She at once wrote 10 Brant, trusting
TO the letter finally reaching him
however remote he might be from
civilization.
A year went by and there was no
Indication that Brnnt had received
the letter.
There was an old man named Mark
Denvlr who had been power In the
business world, but now n helpless
invalid. Hartley had cultivated him
In the hopes OF utilizing his past
prestige for his own benefit One
day he came 10 Eugene astounding
her with an offer OF marriage from
DenvIr.
ut means independence for you,"
represented the subtle schemer, "for
he will not live long
Eugcnie shrnnk from the proposal.
but the artful and persistent Hartley
finally overcame her opposition. A
seeming plaything OF destiny, forgot
ten, at least neglected by the only
man she had ever loved, EugenIc
TO the sacrifice for her
brothers sake.
Denvir died within a month. Hart
ley made fortune. died before
year was over. and Eugenie was at
ast truly independent. but she con-
sIdered her wealth as mere dross, for
Il failed 10 bring her happiness.
Another year passed by. Amid her
self-enforced solitude Eugenie found
no surcease 10 the vague longing for
he peace OF mind and contentment
'ate had so cruelty denied her. A
stray item in newspaper, citing the
discovery OF man named Arnold
Brant In another city. detailed his be-
ng removed TO hospital from
xretched tenement room where he
lad lain down 10 die amid poverty.
illness and despair.
In was Eugenie who had hasfened to