The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1904-10-28
"Why didn't YOU go?"


81 have forgotten now the reason
gave" she replied with little laugh;
"put | am going to have little picnic
by myself, and l was just packing
luncheon in take into the woods when I
heard you ring"
Come down tu the camp and have
picnic dinner with us" he urged earnest
ly. There will be fish, and"
"And fish," she finished. 81 fear it's
my luncheon instead of my society that
prompts your hospitality"
You needn't bring a thing" he said,
reddening.
ooh. but shall! There's cold roast
chicken. some green apple pies, sugaref
doughnuts, pickles and cottage cheese.
Do you think they will like them?'
A great peace fell upon Dolf. He
helped her pack the basket and lock up
the house. On their way to the river. a
dark foreboding suddenly seized him.
The boat ride of the night before! No!
Impossible for her to have kept COM
pany" with the help
Where is your friend who took you
boat riding last night" he asked, alb
ruptly.
'Oh, he had to return to the city early
this morning" she answered, with lit
tie regretful sigh
Even the anticipation of green apple
pie failed to rose-color the dark clouds
that had lowered upon Dolf's horizon.
At the camp they found Jerry and Jack
preparing the fish. Dolf triumphantly
presented them to Miss Bancroft. and
produced sumptuous supplies of almost
forgotten luXuries.
"You see," he announced, 81 have met
the enemy and removed her prejudices
toward campers, or else we were mis-
taken"
Miss Bancroft smiled and began 60
set the table. When they sat down TO
dine, Jack inquired, nonchalantly:
Miss Bancroft. what relation are you
to Miss Roanna Bancroft"
The girl was plainly discomfitted for
moment. Then she recovered her smile
and composure
"A. cousin" she replied 81 forget
how many times removed"
Dolf stared and could not join in the
general laugh that ensued. 1t had never
occurred to him that she could be other
than the daughter of the house.
You owe NE mora thanks, Mr.. Sew
ell, than you know" she said. deprecat-
ingly. Cousin Roanna would have had
you arrested, am sure, had she known
of the egg and milk eseapades | had
heard of your camp down here aud also
of all your tricks, and manaers from The
nelghbors about. While egg hunting. I
came upon your note and money. did
not account to Cousin Roarna for the
paucity of the eggs that night and re-
solved to go fishing"
But you signed your note "Roanna
Bancroft" interrupted Dolf.
Yes; wanted to make the document
official. | told her l got the fish of
lone fisherman, and that paid for them.
By good fortune | was at the barn wheD
the cows came home, and | spied the
adorned, milkless one, and cc,axeJ
Hiram not to tell. Well. had been
longing for boat ride, and felt must
return the money; so when my brother
ran down for the day and night, told
him of your boat and he did the rest"
1t suddenly occurred to the envsous
Jerry that Dolf was looking entirely too
happy.
Say. Miss Bancroft" he asked. do
you Enow why Sewell picked those flow
ers to carry to your"
NO" she replied. with evident in
terest
He said old maids always went d1ffy
over such stuff"
Dolph flushed uncomfortably, and
looked away from where she sat.
There was moments pause, and then
Miss Bancroft said, gently:
Il think it was very sweet in you, Mr..
Sewell"
Straightway vanished all Dolf's mis-
giyings. Presently he walked home
with his dinner guest, who carried in ner
purse certain half dollar, which she
agreed to always keep as mes. egg.