The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1898-01-19

QUITTING in New York hotel one
y November evening, carelessly run
ming over the headlines of newspaper,
Ihad my eyes and wandering thoughts
arrested by an article that stirred some
pleasant memories. Stepping to the
table near at hand l was clipping the
bit of news when handsome, athletic
young fellow approached from the OPP
posite side, knife and paper in hand.
A moment later each noticed that the
other was preserving the same informa-
ton. Our eyes met, his brown and
laughing, mine blue and aggressive.
BEG pardon" he began with smile
that lighted up his dark face and
showed his strong white teeth to adj
vantage, "odd coincidence, isn't it?''
~ don't know" with some constraint.
"Up to a short time ago my experience
was so entirely along one pleasant line
that my thoughts never went outside
of it. Of late surprises have come so
rapidly that they cease to surprise. Do
you know herr"
I'm inclined to think it my privilege
TO do the interrogating in this instance,
but you have already satisfied my chief
curiosity in the matter. If you were
not acquainted with Margie Morell you
would scarcely be putting that fiatter-
ing criticism away in your pocketbook.
You speak Familiarity of herr" and.
despite my efforts to initiate his easy
manner, there was challenge in my
voice.
NATURALLY enough" and his smile
was the more aggravating because the
more genial. Il have known her for
years. Used to carry her books, haul
her on her little sled, skate with her,
ride with her, advise with her, encour-
age her when success in music seemed
SO far off, and all that. Held her on my
knee thousand times. Why, she
spoiled the creases in this very pair of
trousers I'm wearing"
Now there was an effort at self-con-
troll on my part. you are scoundrel
and blackguard," l whispered as
leaned over the table. IF l ever hear
of your eating such language I'll
find way to punish you without involv-
ing the name of the young lady you
have been coward enough to SANDER"
No change in his smile, but little
more blood in his face.as he answered.:
''Southerner, l should judge?"
"Yes, southerner, and one that tries
to retain the virtues of chivalry with
out its faults. want nothing more to
say to YOU"
But like you. / insist on pursuing
the acquaintance. 1t makes me happy
10 chance upon so stout champion of
Margie."
Mention that name again and I'll"
Hold hard. my bold southron." and
this time he laughed outright. I'm
Fred Morell, Margie's brother. In
fact, I'm the responsible head of the
family. Have you any special right to
fight the battles of my sister,"
Only the right of gentlema who
holds her in the highest respect. 1 met
her abroad with her mother. 1 was
completing my education in medicine
and Miss Morell was cultivating her
wonderful voice. In the midst of an
acquaintance so delightful to me re-
ccived news of my fathers sudden
death, and with it the startling infor-
nation that disastrous speculation had
wiped out the large fortune that had
always been led to expect. Ihastened
home to Kentucky, spent six months in
settling up the affairs of the estate, and
have just come north to see what can
make of talents that have never yet
been called upon to earn anything"
1T might have been worse. You are
DR.. Tom Curran. I've heard them
speak of you frequently. Why not
take run out with me and renew the
acquaintance?
1t was temptation, and we are prone
to compromise with temptation. /
could not go then because 1 was to
spend a couple of weeks with my own
relative, Uncle Bruff Curran, who lived
20 miles out of st. Louis. But when
Fred and parted it had been arranged
that l should take dinner with the Mo-
rell household.
At Uncle Bruff's was having glori-
GUS time, though he was bachelor Of
GO and cynical as he was rich NY
strange experience there began,one aft
crnoon when was out shooting over as
fine pair of Irish settlers as ever stood
a covey of birds. The sport was fast
and furious and Twas banging away
without any precautions, for the game
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