The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1904-07-22
EXCHANGING SHOT
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By c. S. Day.
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0TAKE it, please. 1t does not be-
i long to me now. What it stood
for is over between u.s."
The engagement ring he had given
her two weeks before sparkled in the
pink palm of the little hand out
stretched toward him.
Il have a good mind to pick you
up and carry you off bodily, this min
ute, you provoking little creature" he
said angrily. mo, | won't take it
back. You may throw it in the river
take it down to the spot where we
spent so many happy hours, deluding
ourselves, this summer
She smiled little-she was carrying
the scene through bravely-and came
near enough to put the ring in his
hand.
please, Alan, don't be cross, and do
take it. Don't you think we will both
be glad sometime that We found out
Our mistake in time?"
Her GOODNESS only made him more
angry. Passionate and impulsive, he
realized Keenly that she could see that
he was white with rage and despair.
He hated himself for his lack of self
control, he almost hated her, for the
moment, for calmness.
81 haven't found that l did make q
mistake" sulkily. He was switching
the head off some choice blooms Dor
dering the walk She put out her hand
again and stopped the reckless mas
sacre.
''The gardener will be cross" she
said gently. And then, before he could
draw back his hand, she had slipped
the tiny ring into it.
He started as if she had struck him
Then he turned to her with quivering
lips, and burst into impassioned plead
ing.
"Alice! Alice! surely, you don't
mean it? You are not going to turn
me off like this! You will not be sc
cruel, dear!''
"Alan, I can not. I was mistaken
Il do not love yOu-SometimeS | dc
not even like you. You would rather
know the truth than have me let il
go on day after day, and deceive you;
would you not? I am so sorry; We
must always be friends"
'Friends!" He made a motion as II
to hurl the tiny ring with its spark
ling stone into the shrubbery. Then
with a sudden realization of the hope
lessness of it all, he turned from thu
girl and strobe away without another
word.
She stood gazing after him mo-
ment. In spite of herself there crep
side by side, with the firm resolvs
already there, wish that he would
turn and come back, and taking he
in his arms in spite of struggle or pro
test, kiss away all her resolution
against him and his love.
"Alan!" Softly, wistfully, she spok'
his name. He did not hear or turn o
stop.
81 wonder if I ought-if really d.
dislike him. He was so angry-h
went off so abruptly might have
she did not finish the thought, but, will
eyes which grew little misty, watches
him until he turned a corner and wa
out of sight
Poor Alan. am afraid was cruel.
In the path lay one of the flowers h
had beheaded. She stopped and picke'
1t up, with a touch that was a caress
The next moment it was pressed t,
her red lips, and tears were droppin,
upon it.
In his den Alan was slowly and pain
fully reviewing the scene, and makini
original comments upon it.
''To think she could be so cruel, tn
dainty little witch. I wouldn't hav
dreamed it, and didn't know anything
could hurt So" He watched the smok
from his cigar curl lazily about he
picture on his desk.
81 have half a notion to do what
said-go back and carry her OF
forcibly."
The sweet, saucy face, looked out @
its smoky halo, with innocent, provok
ingly steady gaze.
''But-she certainly meant it. !
she doesn't love me-doesn't even Xix
me sometimes-well, suppose it is al
up. Only, I'd like to know why in tn
deuce she didn't know how ska fel
about it in the first place, and spar
me this COMPOUNDED knockout I wa