The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1895-12-11

bought land in rising town of North
Dakota. The starting of a big factory
there gave the town boom, and the
land l had bought for few hundred
dollars was able to dispose of for $685.
600. 1 engaged in other speculations,
exercising my best judgment. and ev-
erything 1 touched seemed to turn to
gold; whatever did was right. Money
came to me in tens of thousands. lam
to-day worth 100000, and if it had not
been for you l should be lying in sui
cide's grave"
Something glistened on her lashes.
She dropped her eyes and toyed with
the feathers of her fan.
Il am glad, very glad you have sue
cceded."
He gazed lingeringly on the graceful
outlines of her figure, the curve of her
full white throat and cheek, the brown
hair which waved and curved about her
brow and neck.
"And youths voice sank lower still
--"you have not married."
mo, as you see. But it is probable
that 1 shall lose my freedom soon."
docs that mean you are engaged"
at means that Mr.. Harold McCor-
mick the noted stock operator proposed
to me by letter this morning, and that
am to give him his answer tonight"
"And is it to be 'yes""
She laughed little.
"Do you know that is very strange
question to put on so short an acquaint-
ance, and that our conversation is be-
coming unusual in the extreme? Mr..
Landeck, you seem to forget that we
were introduced only half an hour ago."
"You were present at the most sol
emn moment of my existence. Let me
q little behind the scenes of your own
life," he urged.
She hesitated, and cast rapid glance
at him. Her lips, quivering as with
some hidden emotion, strove to smile.
eve seem fated to have strange con-
fidences, you and l." she said, and
laughed uncertainty. eff you are very
curious to know, it is yes shall ac-
cept him."
Perhaps 1t was only fancy or the
Pickering of the gas lights, but it
seemed as though a sudden spasm
crossed his face, born of disappoint-
ment or of pain.
You care for him, Of course?"
An uncomfortable impulse moved the
woman to dash aside the barrier of con-
ventionality and give expression to
what she felt. She raised her eyes to
his. They met, and the anguish in
them touched him to the heart. She
shook her head merely, then turned
her face away.
"Then tell me why you are going to
marry him."
because he is rich. and my fathers
property is heavily mortgaged. 1 may
as well tell you the reason; everybody
will know"
"You intend to sacrifice yourself for
your family's sake?"
Sacrifice! What an ugly way of put
ting it! 1 am going to make mar.
rage of convenience Other women
are doing the same thing every day."
There was silence, save for the sub
dued sound Of distant music.
They were alone.
In the dim light of the conservatory
the man was blind to all but the white
clad form against the mass of foliage.
The heavy perfume of the exotics
seemed to rise and stifie him; the wom-
ans beauty intoxicated his senses; the
consciousness of her presence thrilled
his very soul.
He leaned over and touched her gent
ly On the arm.
Sylvia, we are scarcely more than
strangers, you and I. Perhaps you'll
tell me I am mad. But love you
Heaven knows love you. believe I
loved you-then. Sylvia, will you-oh,
for PHYS sake, take me instead of him ?"
"a most romantic affair."" said the
society papers when they were mar
ried. HE proposed to her the first time
they met."-N. Y. Weekly.
Napoleon and Washington.
Sobered for the moment by contem-