The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1904-03-18

was not wont to seize the rector in
this way. A casual study of men and
things had not quickened Timothy's
perceptions In vain, and ray of hope
oheered his soul
lilly was naturally of a penitent
disposition. A vision of pink present.
ly appeared before Timothy. Il am
simply famished for an ice," said she.
land as you are the only man here
who has not seen fit to use me as a
means of materially aiding the
church.
Timothy broke in considerably at
this point "As there is no unwritten
law that l know Of" he said meekly,
(which limits a young lady to only
seven male attendants at church tea.
1 admit that l might have made the
eighth humble servitor."
We'll, you needn't apologize" said
Tilly graciously-"at least not in that
heavy judicial tone-and there is a
nice shady table waiting for u.s."
AS Tilly's remark seemed to the
point, they both seated themselves and
eravely turned their attention to the
strawberry ices. A heavy silence en-
sued. Tilly stood it as long as she
could. ''If there is anything on your
mind, Timothy, don't hesitate" she
ventured at last timidly.
Timothy finally relented. 81 was
just thinking" he said, "going back
to your opening remark, what sooth-
ing feeling it must be to a person o.
your habits and inclinations to realize
that by merely existing and lending
your presence to an occasion of this
kind, you can be of such solid financial
benefit to the church and mankind,
provided, of course, there is the requi
site number of the latter.
Tilly was all polite attention. "Now,
there is Miss Hawks" Timothy went
on. "She, I've no doubt, has been
affair for the last 4S hours, and yet l
doubt"
There was rising spark in Tilly's
eyes, and Timothy's discourse was
here interrupted. How. you always
do season anything nice you might
takes all the nice out of it! I don't
object to being made a subject of con-
traStS-"
There is no reason why you
should" was the civil assertion.
But when it comes to being made
an object of comparison" lilly
waived his remark, with a sweeping
look past him to Miss Hawks, who
presided at the wheel of fortune.
Miss Maria is most worthy and
energetic person-but then she ought
to be. When l am So"
''You will not be an old maid"
Tilly stopped and raised her eyes in
Quiringly at the interruption.
Il merely meant" Timothy fastened
to explain, that the day of old maids
is past. An unmarried woman of any
age now has her charms recognized
and appreciated.
What very dogmatic frame of
mind you are in," said lilly resign
eddy, looking critically at the arrange
ment of a tent on the other side of
the lawn.
"a suitable one to the picture your
last letter called forth, isn't it, Tilly?"
There was an ominous tone in Tim
othy's voice. Tilly was bowling and
smiling at some friends settling down
at table across the way.
"Quite a clever letter it was, too,
Tilly," he went on in his former light
tone. "Of course that dissertation on
your fitness for single blessedness
might have raised doubt in the minds
of the skeptical, but"
Il assure you l was quite sincere"
ingly at their gray opponents, and
having met them showed surprising
agility at retreat.
'But then your reasons were GER
tainly convincing, even to the unin-
itiated. That absence of the quality
of sovereign loyalty in your DISPOSE
ton, as you expressed it, was such
reliable concession for you to make
in fact it was altogether irresistible.
Tilly began to smile now, and the
smile was quite sweet and meaning
less. you know, Timothy" she said,
''in letter writing | have great ten
dency toward yerbosity. In actual
conversation l might have condensed
my views. | merely meant that at
present l was enjoying an interreg-
num-" She rose from the table and
laughed with great amiability.
(Which accounts for the anarchy"
he returned with easy grace.
Timothy knew of a rose avenue on
the grounds, and thither he led the
way with determined strides. The
spot was deserted shadowy, sweet and
inspiring, but Timothy was depressed.
He saw in the distance the detected
figure of the rector, but that former
wave of exultation which had swelled
his bosom ceased to trouble his con-
science with pangs of pity for his un-
happy friend. He could have killed the
rector, he thought, or disposed of other
rivals, but what could he do with
chimera in the girls mind in the shape
of a fixed resolve of spinsterhood?
Timothy was calm, and silently in
voked his gods.
ooh, Tilly!" called out a maiden
in sky-blue gown. Our palmist is