The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-11-30

other visit to the seaboard city.
In the meantime Ellery was prevented
from changing the trend Of events by
catching the mining fever and going on
to the outjutting spurs to explore more
holes In the ground.
No matter how slightly and carefully
some women lift the lids Of their hearts
In confidence, like the box Of Pandora.
the contents thereof are likely to hy out
to the last little particle. Lutte happened
to be such n creature, and II also hap
pcncd that Ernestine had acquired the
certain knack necessary to draw from
her her maiden secrets.
The night they remained awake and
talked SO long Lute's intentions were to
divulge, oh, such little bit of the case,
but gradually, insensibly. she drifted on,
giving voice to more and more, till sud
denly Ernestine's ear caught the con-
catenation OF familiar phrases. and her
whats thatY precipitated affairs.
Then n reciprocal relation attached itself
to their condolences, and they weighed
and balanced their respective merits and
dement's as interpreted by the protean
tongued Loren Ellery. After that. and
the immediate pangs OF chagrin and per-
sonal affront had passed, they laughed
and fell asleep in each others arms, as
sisters should.
Loren Elcry unconcernedly staged and
trailed 1t through the mountains, de-
scending deep shafts and winding
through OBVIOUSLY constructed man bur-
rows, learning the ways OF the western
man and his habitat and adding 10 his
vocabulary the nomenclature Of the
mines and the Idiom of the frontier. And
he had become quite western himself.
don't you know, and quite proud OF his
attanments and his mineral properties
by the time OF the fall Of the year, when
he returned to the city and betook him
self to a certain residence and sent up
his card He had asked for Ernestine,
but incidentally il so happened that
Lutte aided her sister in receiving him.
Conversation picked its sinuous thread
through the unctuous nothings and POI
lite inanities of impersonal small talk,
Ellcry contriving in his subtle way to
convey TO each that his interest had not
dwindled. and all went well. Words
flowed easily, naturally. without jar or
premonition Of coming discord.
"Ah, what striking young manv FL
lery murmured In a lull. gazing admir-
ingly upon portrait suspended from
the wall opposite him. And may /
ask whose il is?'
"My cousin George" Ernestine inform
ed him; ''the one in the navy ! think
told you about"
And is he not handsome chap?' he
continued.
Indeed he u.s." authenticated Ernes-
tine.
"Ah"
but not like his brother Herman"
Lutte chimed In.
IAN extremely nice young man." Err
nestine continued, with a vim and go
about him and energy and manliness."
"Yes, l dare say" Ellery put in abb
sently, puzzling over the vague familiari-
ty of the phrases.
"And yet so different from his broth
er," came back from Lutc's side OF the
duet.
Isn't II funny 2" from Ernestine. Hes
lust the kind of a man girls lose their
hearts TO. yet
II could not love him as would Her
man." Lutte interpolated. taking up her
portion of the measure.
"How strange!' Ellery was beginning
to fall victim to decidedly definite sus-
picions.
"An estimable young man
"whom could like
'.But not us could his brother
"Whom ! could admire"-
"But not as Herman
Ellery knew they were grilling him
and smiled vacuously.
"Whom / can respect
"And might have loved
"Had l not met
ellis brother Herman
"And who-why, Mr.. Ellery," Ernes.
tine broke off as innocently as she did
abruptly, you are not going! And SO
soon?" :,
Most charming time. ! assure you
Ellery had glanced at his watch and
risen to his feet, a barely discernibfe
color In his cheeks, but managing to
hold himself In hand. $50 nice to see
you girls again. don't you know, but l
must be moving on"
but won't you stay Just moment
and have some tea? Ernestine made a
half move to strike the bell.
Really, | would like to ever so much. y
He was methodically edging TO the door
| the while he spoke. Had no idea ii was
so late. time flew so, but | must meet a
man with n prospectus-this mining, you
| know, Is so deucedly distracting."
"Then goodby. Mr.. Ellery." Ernes-
| tines larynx was delicately vibrant with
| disappointment as she finally extended
her hand. you must came AGAIN.
"And see our cousin George
sand his brother Herman
"He's just as he is in his picture, and
know you will like him
but different from the way you Will
| like his brother Herm"-
But Loren Ellery, fearing an attack
Of primordal passion, fed incontinently
| down the stairs.-New York Press.
| A Nation of Kings.
Thnro nn,v rnmain only one neoDle md