The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1897-05-19

cialistic father. who regarded everyone
with money as a natural foe, and be-
ing shown that, if successful, the
scheme would mean a quick marriage
with her sweetheart, Bill Kent, she was
soon persuaded. She had had rough
life, and it would be interesting to know
how much of her disposition was inher-
tied and how much acquired.
do you mean to say that ever sug-
gested that should marry you?" asked
the curate, when she arrived.
"Yes, you did," said Marry, yelling
her eyes and trying to look modest
you did that day when you took me
on your knee"
"When-I--what?"
"When you took me on your knee
and asked if 1 had a sweetheart, and
when 1 said no. you said you would be
my sweetheart" And so artistic was
the girl that she managed to get a
couple of very realistic tears to trickle
down her checks. Then she went on:
"You told me your name was Frank,
y
''This is infamous!" cried Grayson, as
he fell helplessly back into his chair.
There was the merest atom of truth
in what she said, and the rest was an
utter fabrication. But how could he
prove it and get people to believe him?
They might not be able to establish
their claim in court, but his name
would be for ever besmirched by the
sl<illfully .concocted allegations.
What would his tiancee, Dora Byng-
ham, say when she heard it? He al
most felt it would be better to be VIC
timized than to create SO unpleasant
a scandal. At last he promised to give
them his decision in weeks time, and
they agreed to wait for that period be-
fore taking further action.
Ill.
When Theophilus Baines, the vicar
OF Pretworth, gave garden party in
the pretty grounds of his vicarage all
the local world was there. But to Dora
Bingham and the junior curate the
whole world only numbered two, and
they looked forward with a great deal
OF Joy to the day when they two should
become one. Frank Grayson thought
himself exceedingly fortunate i'm hav-
ing secured the affections of so rich a
girl, but it was the girl herself and not
her banking account that he loved
They had rambled together to Sc
cluded part of the garden, but they did
not talk much. Dora was happy at be-
ing with him, and he was wondering
what answer he had better give his late
landlady in three days time, and wheth :
er or not it would be we'll to tell Dora all
about it. He felt sure she would trust
him, and yet he shrank from the miser-
able subject. 1t was Miss Bingham who
spoke first.
"Oh, what surprise, here comes Mr..
Hamer."
II thought Hamer was rather chum
of yours?" said Grayson.
"Oh!" said Dora, with a delightful
moue, that would have pleased every
one but the dapper, innocent-looking
man who was approaching them.
''Never mind" said Frank. Per
haps he'll have the sense and goodness
rot to speak"
Hamer might have had the sense, but
he certainly lacked the goodness. He
smiled very sweetly as he came forward
and shook hands with them both.
81 was afraid you were not going to
be here, Miss Bingham"
Really; why?"
xraS o1,1a RI onrpa rovce1f
and it is so seldom that such a charm
ing coincidence happens on my behalf"
"What is it that SO often detains you,
then?" asked Dora, while Frank pre-
served an obstinate silence, hoping that
Hamer would move on.
ooh! we lawyers try to do in practice
what the clergy do in theory said
Hamer, land that is put an end to
crime"
81 thought you fourished on it,"
burst out Grayson, who disliked Hamer
more than little.
perhaps l shall some day." replied
Hamer, lightly, but flushed little as
he said it.
"Shall we go and have a game at
croquet?" asked Dora, to create a di-
version, and perhaps get rid of Hamer.
''What! Are you not sorry that that
game las been revived, Miss Byng-
ham?" he asked. 1T is SO insidious."
'Insidious; how so?"
"Why, it teaches you to go up to a
ball, to creep as near to it as you can,
even to embrace il, and then, after
lingering apparently in friendliness
and love by it's side, this apparent
affection suddenly proves to be mask,
and with mighty sweep you drive it
to perdition, or as near it as you can!
1 think the game inculcates treachery,
Miss Bingham, and it ought to be pun
ished as we punish breach of promise"
He had made his little speech with a
gayety that caused Dora to smile at his