The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1898-09-21

" HAC, AoAcly nave any lhiuS 10 lor-
give"
Forgive me-" he pleaded.
"You!" cried. Surely I've moth
ing to forgive you. Why, you have
never done me anything but kind
| ness"
He turned hastily away, and NUT
tered something which sounded
wicked. Then he turned to me again.
Flo" he pleaded, will you row down
with me to the island?''
1 really was taken aback then, for I
| gathered how much in earnest he was,
and felt touched. But recollected
! his last letter to me, and / put on a
silly smile. "Oh," l said, lightly, I'm
so sorry, but I'm engaged this after
noon" Then I sighed and added:
1--WE so many engagements"
Tomorrow, then-next day-next
week, only promise"
"Oh, you've no idea of my impor-
lance" laughed. Listen to this" and
rising, l went to drawer of my writ
ing table and took out my little tab
| lets.
Listen" said again, holding up a
finger to him. "Thursday-that's to-
cay: Tea at the Forrestiers'. Friday:
Drive to Ellerton Manor. P. P. c.
"P. P. CT" he repeated. "Are you
going away?"
I laughed half shyly, but signif-
cantly. Yes, am going away" ad-
mitted. Saturday: To town, shop
| ping. Sunday: To the Dalton's,
luncheon and dinner. Monday: Pic
mic on the island. Oh, by the way"
looked up with pleased interest-''it
| you want to see the island, better
ccme to the picnic. I'm sure the
| Wendovers would like to have you"
"Picnic!" he snapped, angrily. "Do
| you think l want to go with whole
camp meeting?"
"Oh," l protested, blandly, "we
| sha'n't be that sort at ALL
Tuesday" he pleaded; ''come on
| Tuesday"
Tuesday" I repeated, referring to
my tablets; Tuesday: To town; final
fitting"
"Final fitting?" he queried, rather
puzzled.
"My frock, you know" I explained.
ooh, your frock! Wednesday, then"
"wednesday" said l, softly, sis my
own day. have promised it to myself
entirely. I shall give no moment of II
to anybody"
Thurs" he began.
Thursday" l said. "Oh, yes, here it
is! Thursday: To be married. Ye-es,
l shall be occupied on Thursday"
I looked up at Cousin George. He
was very, very white about the lips
then.
''To be married?" he repeated, in a
sort of hoarse whisper.
"Yes," l said, nonchalantly. "AfteI
that shall be away for awhile"
you're going to be married." he
painted again.
I laughed rather deprecatingly. 81
didn't know it was considered quite sc
unlikely" 1 said, humbly.
who's the fellow?" he asked,
bluntly.
"Mr. Featherston-Hope," answered,
tenderly.
THAT" he began, then stopped
short.
eyes," I said; that one."
"Good-by, Flo," he blurted out
shooting his hand at me as if it were
a gun. Ireally felt as if I were taking
hold of bayonet-point.
"Must you go?'' said, sweetly.
at seems ! must"-and his tone was
bitter, which seemed rather cool, con.
sidering how he'd treated me.
I'm so glad you're home" I said
pleasantly. 81 will send you an invita-.
ton" He turned on me then and
| glared.
Don't" he commanded.
ooh, yes; must" went on, cheer.
fully. II want to have all my loving
| relatives about me. Uncle Edward
would adore you if you'd go one better
snd relieve him by giving me away"
Then 1 know Cousin George said
something wicked. 1 won't repeat it.
Then he strobe out and slammed the
door. And l stood still and laughed
! to myself, for I'd scored one that time,
at any rate. And he deserved it, too;
man shouldn't be changeable.
I don't believe it was anger, after all.
I believe it was pure enjoyment.
That's so like woman, to mistake
the very core of thing and realize it
| when she's wasted herself.
Poor old George! I've been thinking
| it over. l don't think I'll send him the
invitation, after all.-Sketch.
The Strangest Thing.
The great duke of Marlborough.
riding through his camp one day, met
a soldier being led to the gallows for
the theft of silver porringer. "Mis-
| cradle wretch!" cried the great cap
tain, "for how petty stake are you
about to die! How could you risk your
life for mug not worth ten shil-
| lings?" To which inquiry the culprit