The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1898-04-27

short time it ran into its tenth edition.
Denton was taken up and borne aloft
upon the shoulders of society, SO to
speak. He was wined and dined and
lionized from morning to night, until
life began to be burden.
Hurrying along the street in the di-
rection of his club one afternoon, he
saw Mildred Arnold about to enter her
carriage.
AS she took her seat her eyes fell upon
Denton, and she motioned the coach
man to wait.
81 thought 1 recognized you when I
came from the house." she said, giving
him her hand.
"And l, too, recognized you half way
up the square" said Denton.
(which way do you go?' she asked,
seeing one of the horses grow restless.
Down." said Denton, and the word
echoed strangely in his heart.
"Ah, I'm sorry you're not going in
my direction" and then, very softly:
"Have you been quite well?'
"Very well, thank YOU" He rested
his hand upon the carriage window and
came a little closer, but it seemed to
him that great distance lay between
them.
"I've been wanting to see you," he
said, with slight show of embarrass-
ment; "there was something started
to tell you the last time l called, but
the candy boiled over" he explained,
smiling frankly. This is hardly the
place to tell you," he went on, riveting
his eyes upon the silk tassel that hung
from the carriage curtain, "but I'm go
ing away in a day or two for several
months, and though will see you upon
my return, I want you to know among
the first. 1t is this-when I come back
I'm going to be married"
She was leaning slightly forward, her
lips were pressed together and her face
was pale, but otherwise she was pas
sionless.
"Then TIM sure I wish you very,
very happy life" she replied, quite
gently. Denton bowed and drew back
from the carriage. She smiled down
upon him as she held out her hand. The
color had come back to her cheeks in a
great scarlet flood and he thought he
had never seen her look more queenly.
"Good-by- good-by," she repeated,
and the next moment Denton stood
alone.
1t was "a January evening. A sugges-
ton of closed doors, closely drawn cur
tains, and glowing hearth, permeated
the cold, invigorating air. Denton but
toned up his top coat and throwing
back his shoulders started at brisk
pace down the street. He had returned
to the city the day before and was now
on his way to see Mildred Arnold. He
stopped on his way at florists estab-
lishment and selected a magnificent
American Beauty.
Somehow the house seemed strange
as he gained the steps. He rang the
bell and stood wondering how she
would receive him. What deep light
had always glowed in her brown eyes,
heretofore, whenever she came to meet
him. Would it be the same now? or
was he lost in her estimation--one OF
the earthly practically" A trim maid
whom he had never seen before opened
the door.
SIS Miss Arnold at home?" he asked
removing his silk hat.
The servant looked puzzled for mo-
ment. ''Oh, they've moved she finally
said. THAT isl she went on, uncon-
cernedly, Mrs. Arnold went south, Sc
the girl next door says, right after the
young lady died."
Denton started back and the rose fell
from his hand. A thousand images OF
Mildred flashed before him, and the
sound of her low voice rang in his ears.
Here is your rose, sir" said the serv-
ant. He took the flower. In a dazed
manner he turned and went down the
steps. 1t had begun to snow, and the
ground was white. Slowly he wandered
bent-his breath coming in great gasps.
Something touched his elbow. He
turned thinking some one was about to
wake him from dream. The dim light
from a lamp fell upon the pinched and
plaintive face of little girl, clad in tat
tiers and shivering with cold.
Please, sir, my mother is very ill
and has nothing to eat-I-th-think
she will die"
Denton put his hand in his pocket
and gave the waif a roll of bills. AS he
turned away he recollected the rose he
carried. "Stop!" he called to the child.
Then he went to her and placed the
flower in her arms.
Tell your mother, child, to take this,
if she dies, to her" he said, pointing up
wards.