The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1904-10-28

Tie eggs, so return your money. III VIII
not be prudent for you to repeat your
buying and selling method of market
ing, as the dog is on watch at the nests.
Yours truly, ROANNA BANCROFT"
WELL" thought Dolf, 1.-The old maid
isn't without sense of humor, but
wish my wits were as sharp as my ap-
petite, and I'd know how to get some
thing for supper"
What are you tagging for, Dolf?'
called Jerry. Il thought you'd have
supper ready for us
"Well. you've got another thought
coming" said Dolf, grufily. and he pro-
ceeded to confess to the correspondence
that had passed between himself and
"Old Maid Bancroft"
Its up to you, Dolf," asserted Jerry.
emphatically, ito provide the material
for our supper. l hope you aren't going
to be outwitted by woman, and single
woman at that"
Not T." was the firmly uttered re-
sponse Would bread and milk and
berries do for this once?"
Jerry and Jack agreed that the menu
would be satisfactory. Dolf took the
water pail and again wended his way
woodward They asked him no ques-
tons. Dolf was not given to revelations
of plans until after fulfillment. 1t was
not long before he returned with pail
full OF warm milk
1.-THE cows were in the pasture, and
nj tho rolo nf th M CRY N, IL m id ~
related Dolf, as they gathered about the
festive and knotted board. Zone pa
tient, gentle animal overstocked With
milk and grateful to me for my inexDeri-
enced but effectual efforts To relieve her
of her load"
81 wonder what Roarna will think
when she comes to milk that partic-
ular cow" exclaimed Jack, delightedly.
"Roanna will not attempt to milk that
particular COW, for around the neck OF
the bovine l wound a wreath Of rope
studded with field flowers, and to this
wreath l fastened tobacco bag con-
tanning the half dollar and note inform
ing the fair Roanna that her purloin
had forced me to help myself to supply
of human kindness. | boldly and illegi-
bly, signed my own name so as not to in
criminate you fellows"
81 wonder what her next move will
be?"
Il will stay in ambush tomorrow and
find out" said Dolf.
Early morning. however disclosed the
fact that Roanna had moved quickly. A
note pinned to the fly of the tent in
light and man had tempted her to q
row on the river. AS they wished TO
avoid pulling up stream they had left
the boat three miles below at Craw-
ford's landing. There was a postscript
conveying the intelligence that the half
dollar in payment of boat hire wonld be
found in the bait can.
well. Roanna is not so slow!" OBJ
served Jerry. Wonder if she really had
a man! She's scarecrow in appear
ance"
at was the hired man, doubtless"
said Jack. 81 saw him one day at the
post Office. He is meek, bossed-look-
ing individual But you are going to
take the next trick, aren't you, I,olf?"
''Of course | am going to force her
hand" he replied.
Picking up the covered basket he Went
farther into the WOODS this time ON his
way to the farm. He gathered huge
handfuls of delicate forest flowers and
quantities of fragile ferns.
"Old maids always go daffy over such
en- route, land am going to present her
with these"
He walked boldly up to the austere-
looking front door, which was opened
to his ring by brown-eyed. brown
tressed vision of girlhood.
I'll would like to see Miss Bancroft, .
he said, in surprised voice.
81 am Miss Bancroft" came the as
tonishing reply in a tone vibrating with
chords of amusement "You are-NIr.
A. CAMPER"
It was easier now.
Eyes; likewise Dolf Sewell Is it you
with whom have been trading?"
at is. Walk in, and we'll settle &C
counts"
She led the way into room that quite
harmonized with his original ideas of
Miss Bancroft. White, kalsomined
walls; four Enthusiastically alike-in as
many corners, each turned politely and
obliquely towards its vis-a-vis; a mar
ble-top center table and an organ fur
nished the room in odd contrast to Miss
Bancroft's shirt waist suit and fluffed
pompadour.
Upon her invitation, he seated him
self in one of the corner chairs, whil4
she occupied the stool before the organ.
did you find your boat and money? ''
she asked, demurely.
II haven't looked for them yet. The
half dollar belongs to you"
81 am not sure" she said, refectively.
"You have had one dozen eggs and the
milk of one COW, which is not equal in
value to the trout and rental of boat.
Still, the inconvenience to us was con-
siderable We keep but few hens; that
is, laying hens, and we had planned to
set all the milk to supply cream for the
Sunday school picnic"
81 am sure, he said contritely. that
owe you the half dollar, and apology
and-here!" he handed her the basket