The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1902-03-21


Eleanor. You are prettier than ever.
1t is two years-quite two years
since we met last and-parted."
Eyes"
Sat Lady Maxwells ball."
She inclined her head.
"Ive been travelling downhill bit
since then, you perceived"
SIS it $3.50 bad as all that?" she
inquired, with an infection of anX-
iety.
Eyes. 1 have nearly reached the
end; am quite candid, you see-I
have got beyond the stage of false
pride, otherwise, should not be sit
ting here, beside you, in this rig-out-
And-to be candid do not know
why I am sitting here"
you look most awfully hard-up."
her voice faltered.
81 look what L am. But had you not
better stop the hanson and let me
get out before we reach the West
End?"
''No-not yet"
He raised his eyebrows.
''You wanted to speak to me?"
"Yes.''
BellairS gave q curious laugh.
Glow monosyllabic you are!" he OBJ
served. "You used not to be-" he
added.
81 have not quite recovered from
the shock of-of-"
Discovering your old admirer in
this somewhat undignifed plight?
No wonder! 1 was rather smart
chap once. But that's all over since
since Well, what is the use of
whining? I did not want to see you,
Eleanor. 1 never wished to see you
again. You cannot be surprised, 1
think"
az suppose 1 should have no right
to be-"
81 suppose not. Under the circum-
stances it is, perhaps, less surprising
still. The world is a funny place. One
night ball room, the next London
bridge. A ding-dong affair, and even
the best go under sometimes, you
know. I never myself laid claim to
the distinction of being considered
one of the best-or even the second
BEST" he added candidly. 81 fear 1
crush your skirt?'
He moved ostentatiously little
further from her.
"Don't!' she murmured.
81 cannot conceive why you asked
me to get in here" he exclaimed i'm
patiently. II am no longer a fit play
thing for dainty miss. My ball
room days are over! I am quite
brutally matter of fact. / don't mind
telling you that am hungry. If that
doesn't make you despise mel give
it ups
The girl stifed something that
seemed like a little sob.
Hungry! Oh, Capt. Bellairs!''
Kindly drop the captain please.
I am no longer credit to the serv-
ice," he said, almost roughly. "Be-
sides, 1 hate anything in the shape of
pity"
"And you have quite forgotten the
the old days?" she murmured.
"Yes. 1t doesn't do to remember
them-when a man is down to bed
rock. Then you are not yet mar
ried?"
She started slightly.
ssNo.''
"Nor engaged? I take the liberty
of an old acquaintance, you see."
''Nor engaged" she said slowly.
Bellairs looked at her.
"That is strange!" he remarked;
''for, pom my soul, Miss Nugent, I
never saw prettier girl"
"You have not forgotten how to
flatter, at any rate!" she replied, with
a nervous laugh.
81 didn't mean it as fattery; but
you remember the occasion of our
parting?'
'Yes-I remember it."
81 asked you to marry me. You re-
smiling bitterly. ga girl should new
er marry a man she does not care for"
cit was not that"
/ Bellairs turned suddenly.
E"Not that?" he repeated.
81 couldn't. I-you-' she fall
tered and stopped, confused. There
was a moments silence. Bellairs'
eyes were fixed strangely on her face.
"What do you mean?" he said, in
hard tone.
swell, surely you know" she an
swered, appealingly. at was-impos-
sible. You were $3.50 poor' she
gulped at the word.
The hanson turned corner sharp
ly and grazed curbstone with Jolt.
Bellairs' arm touched hers. His hand
closed suddenly on her wrist.
"Then you-you cared for me all