The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1895-07-24
II shall build one" he declared.

relative to hogs, and pasturage, and
Daled hay, and discounts. Ira did not
| actually dread Andulasia's return, but
he would have preferred to postpone it
indefinitely. To be sure, they had con-
sidered the possibility of an engage
ment once, but he had never been
really engaged to her. He never could
be now. 1t was only right she should
understand that. She was a sensible
woman. She would understand that in
such a matter man had right to
please himself.
AS for Alys, was there ever such an
eye, such hand, such voice, such
foot, such smile. To be sure he had
once met Alys walking home from
church with the lumberman. But
then the lumberman was only young
and good looking. 1t was well known
he was conducting the yard for an
English firm on salary. To compare
Vail to him--Harris-wh was SO ''wel
/ fixed!" There could be no comparison.
| One evening in late summer, when
Ira was jogging into town, he settled
mentally all minor matters to his sat-
isfaction. He decided to whom he
| would rent his farm, the kind of house
he would build in town, the direction
his wedding journey would take, the
brotherly letter he would leave for
Andulasia, and the invita- ton he would
send the lum herman to be present at
his wedding.
| ''Poor devilr' he concluded, commits
sratingly, 1T will be tough, but he
| will have to stand it,
He dismounted at the post Office,
which was also the general store and
tin shop. There was a letter for him
"a letter from Andulasia.
| DEAR Ira: Things is all upset Uncle John
died week ago. They can't find no will. and
! I'm tired waiting for dead mems stockings.
| Meet me night after tomorrow. Your
| "ANDULASIA STEBBINs."
Harris smiled curiously as he stuffed
the letter in his pocket. He was think
Andulasia arrived. She was fatter
than ever. Her Elton suit was crum-
pied. She wore shirt waist. 1t was
voluminous and not immaculate.
We'll, it's you, Ira. I'm clean beat.
Put them things in the buggy while I
get some sody and yeast uptown"
! Uptown Miss Stebbins learned
several things, chief of which was that
! Ira Harris had transferred his affec-
tions to Miss Alys Lane
Half way home Andulasia said quiet
ly:
Il hear you reckon to marry Miss
Lane.''
Her composure, the loss of her ex-
!
all gave Harris courage.
! IL was figgerin' some on a." he
avowed.
He drove Andulasia to her home, but
she did not again breach the subject.
| He went back to town that evening.
He met Alys at an ice-cream sociable.
He gained grace of heart and pro-
posed.
| She laughed gently.
81 am honored, Mr.. Harris of
course" she said But 1 always Sup
posed you were engaged to Miss Steb-
bins / am to marry Mr. Vail at Christ
mas"
| The following evening, Ira, feeling
exceedingly depressed, went to call on
| Andulasia. He found her talking with
a brother farmer, widower with
three children. He asked to speak to
| her a moment alone.
! Fact is, Andulasia,'' he said, ''it's
| yon want. 1 fancied for awhile I'd
like that silly little thing. must have
been kind of hypternized I'm sure
now it's you want"
Andulasia smiled-a peculiar smile.
i've just promised to marry Mr.
| Muggs He asked me last night be.
fore he found out what you know"
! What l know? AndulasiaW*
Eyes. The news that come ia on the
noon train. about the will being found,
and me getting seven thousand dollars,
and"
| "Andulasia.'
| What fine woman she was Why
had he never noticed that fact before?
| Its true!'' she declared trium-
phantly.
But" he fairly howled, GIVE been
meaning for fifteen years to marry you,
| Andulasia!''
Then, why didn't you?" inquired
| Andulasia.
| He remembered some lines he had
once read. 1t would be quite safe to
repeat them as original, for Andulasia
never read anything.
81 feared my fate too much" he pro-
tested, striking his breast dramatic
ally, land my deserts was too small!'
| He did not impress Andulasia. She
turned scornfully away to where Mr..
Mugs waited
] go back" she counseled, ''to that
yeller-haired girl at the depot
He did go back, but not to the depot.
"Eh?" said the saloonkeeper. I'VE
| Jon,f Dffo,, coo rn, NJ, &c