The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1900-01-19

things, but surely you were 4 good
friend of ours then?"
.'Friend?" he echoed. "Yes, and l
still am devoted to your interests, Miss
Lucy"
THAT is good. We know few peo-
pie here, and now l must go to meet
Ellen
You are going to meet-her-
now?"
YES"
swell, ask her, Miss Lucy, to step
in and get the watch herself, and
don't tell her who 1 am, you know.
Let me have my little surprise"
Very well, l will 1 am sorry / can
not come back with her, but I have
an engagement"
Mr.. Fem, with a sudden heartmess,
grasped the slender gloved hand ex-
tended TO him. ''Good-by," he said.
You came in like the spring sun
shine, Miss Lucy"
After the girl had gone Fem sat for
some moments lost in thought. How
many memories the girl had stirred
within him. How like she was - that
ether girl-Ellen-whom he has once
known.
With deep sigh he turne- from
force of habit, to the watch before
him. He well remembered that disa-
greeable' little monitor which had dis
turbed so many pleasant hours! His
accustomed fingers pressed the large,
old-fashioned plate which protected
the works from dust, and 'Shere fell
into his hands folded paper, yell
lowed with age, which opened as he
reverently touched IL.
There, exposed to view, was the face
Of the young man who had glanced
back at him from the mirror, and with
it was a withered violet, which lightly
futtered out. It was brown and dry.
but it preserved its freshness and
fragrance in faithful woman's heart,
it seemed-and in one other, as he
well knew.
For long time Mr.. Fem sat gaz-
ing at these relics Of sunny past, his
hand over his eyes, his e, preston lit
tie betraying the disturbance within.
Finally he shook his head sorrowfully.
did Fem look like that?" ne
thought. WAS there ever a time when
was really happy? 1 have changed
in appearance smiled bitterly
land not for the better, but l have
also grown in charity. What a young
fool 1 was. To have such happiness
within my grasp and than to scorn it
to throw it away-because l was too
proud to demand an explanation! All,
WE'LL" He reused himself and looked
up in his old, absent-minded way at
woman who stood awaiting his atten-
ton. Her eyes were riveted upon the
paper in his hands-she had not
glanced at Mr.. Fenn's face-while his
gaze never left her countenance dur
ing their entire interview.
Il see,'' she said, in low, faltering
tones, that you have already opened
the watch my sister brought" As she
spoke the color rose in her face in the
same dear old fashion, taking away
seemed a girl again in the eyes of the
man who watched her.
Yes he said, gently, ..but do not
begrudge me my peep into paradise,
Ellen
At the first sound of his voice she
had glanced incredulously up, her
knees trembling under her as she lis
tened-and looked.
Edward" she gasFed. ''Why, it
can't be Edward,'
Yes" he said. reass Iringly, putting
his hand over hers as it clutched at
his desk "Why mt? We Were
bound to meet some day, you know"
YES" she murmured, Il have al
ways felt that if you were living l
should see you again" Her eyes fell
under his and rested OF the relics on
his desk. But these things'-her
flush deepened-''I am sorry you ever
saw them
''Oh, no, Ellen, not sorry, but glad.
Stay, 1 will show you My treasures"
As he spoke he drew forth his own
timepiece and opened the back. There,
smiling up at him, was her own face
as it had looked 20 years before, fresh
in its girlish beauty.
..All these years?' she asked. "Have
you never married, then, Edward -
Married some one else, Ellen? You
know better-you must have known
better all the time"
Yes" she whispered, Il knew"
Ellen" he urged, softly, lone day,
ever so many years ago, q boy said
to YOU that he would never ask ycu
for love again. He does not, but a
man does-now. He asks you for al
that boy threw away, because he has
wanted it all his life
What do you mean?" she asked,
faintly.
Nothing to frighten you, dear. 1
want you to marry me still. l have
wanted you every day since we parted,
but 1 thought you had long ago nsar-
ried-there is no use going into that.
We are not children now. How do you
feel about it, Ellen? Are you willing
to pass the rest of your life with me-
Ellen lifted her eyes to his-eyes
that appeared young, because rc-
deemed from age by the radiant light
of love within them
Il will do just as you say" she said,
simply.