The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1901-11-01

considerably. He bore it all in 81
lence and with patience, for he was
strong was Gideon; but the soul with
in him grew hard as steel. He forgot
nothing.
1t was great pity, for he had an
excellent nature; but the best of ma
lures will not bear shutting up. An
assumption of taciturnity developed
into taciturnity. He put on the pessi-
mist's spectacles, and saw nothing
but life's little ironies. And then one
day it was all shattered, and Gideon
became a new man with living fire
within him. He loved a woman.
This was his great chance. He told
himself that where love is life is, after
all, a priceless thing. And Gideon
loved with all the strength of heart
and mind. He even dared to hope, in
spite of his inveterate shyness. 1t
was as if some spirit had troubled
him as Bethesda's Pool was troubled
in old time. But when he would have
stepped down someone had been be-
fore him. His love returned into his
own bosom. 1t was terrible; but the
strength of the man closed over his
despair. Gideon was no coward to
weep or vince, but he turned death
ly eye Heavenwards. Destiny might
break, it should never bend, him.
After this, Gideon Beth shut him
self up with his books. Fifteen years
passed and carried him beyond the
prime of life, and made of him tall,
spare man with a slight stoop, a
dropping white moustache, and clear
eye. Fifteen years spent with the
thoughts of other men had not
changed his individuality to any ex-
tent. The face was little more COM
posed in it's sternness, that was all.
When DR.. Ross entered the room
Gideon was buried in a deep wicker
chair, with reading lamp placed be-
hind. his right shoulder, and books
everywhere. He now turned to look
at his visitor. The doctor was one
of the few men with whom he cared
to converse, and the former did not
hold the privilege lightly.
''Sit down." said Gideon, closing his
book over his thumb and pointing
it at chair. The doctor thanked
him genially, though inwardly trou-
bled as to the best method of open
ing the subject upon which he had
called. "That's fat book you are
reading" said he.
Spencer"
"Ah! Fairy Queen or 'Philoso-
phy'?"
81 do not read poetry"
'Then I conclude it's the philoso-
pher. 1 do read poetry; and very sad
some of it is, too
"You waste your time"
The doctor smiled. "There was
man named Longfellow-"
"Quite so; we all read him when we
are young
who has made for himself
place in a thousand hearts. But when
L read poetry was not speaking so
much of printed words, Be patient
with me for five minutes. I have
been studying the opening chapters
of child's life. She is little girl,
age 10. Five years ago she lost her
father
Gideon's father had not been quite
worthy of the name, so to this re-
mark he paid small attention.
"And two years LATER" continued
DR.. Ross, "her mother"
Gideon Beth's face grew stern, as
it always did when he judged Provi-
dence.
''The child was left alone with an
elder sister. This sister was plucl1y
girl, and the wolf at the door didn't
brighten her.
"Ah!" said Gideon, who had fought
that wolf himself. He remembered
that in the day he had been more than
best at night.
ga week ago the sister was taken
i'll. did all in my power to save so
precious life, but I failed. The child
is now friendless."
Gideon Beth's eyes flashed suddenly,
and he brought his clenched fist
heavily down. "Alone in the world!
And this case but one of many! Who
cares? Nobody, no one!"
80 mighty mani said the doctor
beneath his breath, as he heard these
EXPLANATIONS of bitter spirit. And
then he wondered who was the more
friendless of the two-the child or
the man. He concluded that it was
not the child. And more than ever he
pitied the solitary man who needed
the love of some simple nature to ex-
pand and sweeten his own.
Gideon's passion passed as quickly
as it had risen. "Why do you tell me
this?" he demanded. els this your
poetry?"
Il call it so. Some day we shall
better understand it's metre"
Gideon shrugged his shoulders as he
replied: "You have strange views.
Tell me, what is to be done about
this girl?"
1t was with difficulty that the doc
tor concealed his qualification at the
question. A daring idea suggested
itself to him.
"Come and see her." he said.
The other thought for moment.
81 don't know why I should" he said