The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1903-05-29
q THE LOAN OF
|OF AN UNCLE.l
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
By Margaret Johnson.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
FIT THINK perhaps we ought to be

Pauline, gently. 81 really think we
ought"
This was at five o'clock. Four times
walton had the little horSe-car tinkled
up to the end of the single track in
the grass-grown road behind the
three girls, holding them suspended
in an anguish of uncertainty while
the possibility of their going re-
manned open. And then the horse
car had tinkled away again into a
peaceful and reassuring silence.
Satisfied that the way of duty was
for the moment closed, they had
yielded each time to the seduction of
the baImy air that blew softly off the
water and lulled their drowsy con-
sciences to sleep.
At their backs was the high stone
wall, crowned with the green turf
of the slope above; at their feet the
strip of pebbly shore; beyond, the
Sound, blue and sparkling on this
June afternoon.
The suggestion of going home in
these circumstances, and just when
the descending sun was bringing the
most beautiful hour of the day, was
distinctly obnoxious. So long as one
could lie back luXuriOusly upon a
rolled-up jacket, look with half-closed
eyes at all this beauty, and dream
exquisite dreams of success, fame
and wealth, why should one wake to
the dispiriting realization of being a
poor art student, lodging with two
other kindred souls in bare fourth
floor bedroom, and celebrating a Sat-
urday afternoon half-holiday by 80
cent trip to City island? What were
such miserable details to the three
dreamers on this enchanted shore?
Pauline's visions were identical
with those of her companions, but
her conscience was somewhat more
active, and she ruthlessly tore her
self from a beatific vision of the
studio of the future to say again
and for the fourth time, more insist
emily than before:
Girls, L really think we ought to
be going home!"
a reproach which implied that she
was personally responsible for the
necessity of their going home at all;
but they sat up and began to unroll
their jackets.
And then it was, and not till then,
that the truth came out.
"By the way" said Neil, casually,
oh hau fo fo no
home from one of you girls. 1 ac-
tually haven't a cent in my pocket
book
''Cornelia Bent" said Pauline. "You
haven't spent the whole of your
months allowance already?"
Every cent" said Neil, pensively
regarding the fat and shabby purse
upon her knee. 81 was afraid you
wouldn't let me come, dear, if you
knew"
Indeed 1 shouldn't! Your spend
thrift ways are a great anxiety to
me, Cornelia. The example you set
little Bella here, the influence you
have on her
''She won't borrow anything from
me,' broke in little Bella, recklessly,
although with flushing cheeks, ''be-
cause haven't anything to lend. 1t
took my last penny to pay my way
here, and 1 counted on your getting
me home somehow between You.
There, Pauline, now don't be too
hard on me! It's been a very ex-
pensive month, and you wouldn't have
had me stay at home to-day! Help
us out this time, that's dear, and
We'll never do so any more. Well
reform"
"Help you out!" echoed Pauline,
with the sternest of despair. "Look
at that, will your"
She extended her open purse. A
pink transfer ticket, shopping-list,
and two cents were obviously the
whole of it's contents. There was a
painful pause.
But, Pauline" gasped Bella, 'you
the soul of prudence never
spend all your money-you always
manage"
81 did it on purpose" said Pauline,
tragically. "Neil has owed me nine
ty-seven cents for three weeks, so
/ was going to make her pay my
fares home. I thought she wouldn't
have the heart to leave me stranded
on this desert coast"
''We are all three stranded on this
desert coast, it seems" said Neil, bit
terly, thanks to your sordid scheme!
Girls, look in your pockets-the
lunchbox! There must be some
money somewhere"
But there was no money anywhere,
and while they sat trying to realize
this appalling fact, and wondering
how they should cope with it, the
little horse-car sent it's pertinacious
tinkle once more to their distracted
ears.
Neil broke the silence gloomily.
1--WE may as well be collecting
leaves" she said, cor pebbles, since it
isn't wood, exactly, and there aren't
any robins to do it for us. Where
are you going to sleep tonight, Bella ?
/ choose that rock"
'Neil," said Pauline, anxiously,
''don't be so ridiculous! 1 wonder if
we cou1dn't walk