The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1904-09-30
A DOUBLE DECEPTION
BY BLANCHE EARDLEY.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

nYoU have apartments to let, | be-
| lieve? | shall be so glad if you
can let me stay here!"
And pair of wistful blue eyes gazed
into the good-natured face of the home
ly woman who had opened the door
of the farmhouse.
We'll, miss" the woman answered,
hesitatingly, II ave two rooms va
cant; but there's a gentleman staying
with me for is 'ealth, and e made me
promise not to take any one else, so
that there would be perfect quiet for
i'm"
20, but | would make no difference,
really" pleaded the girl, in a sweet,
low voice, that penetrated, however,
into the sitting room, the window of
which was wide open, and the sound of
that plaintive voice made the man in
side put down his book and listen I'M
consciously.
You see the girl went on, Il shall
be quiet, as l am just to rest for few
weeks, by order of the doctor, and |
thought a farmhouse would be the
place for me. | can assure you that
your other ledger would not know I
was in the house"
Just then the sitting room door was
flung open, and man, with pale,
intellectual face, appeared in the wide,
oldfashioned<~ hall.
That's all right, Mrs. jerks I
shall not object in the least to your
taking in another lodger. My mandate
was concerning large families of chill
dren. | don't think you will be a trou-
blesome neighbour he said, as he ap-
preached the girl.
Then, with bow, he retreated into
the den-not before he had caught a
glimpse of a simply dressed girl, with
demure, sweet face, from which the
dark hair was brushed severely away,
revealing low, creamy brow of Ma
donna like purity.
The blue eyes that met his for a
moment were like a flash of southern
skies, but they were averted shyly as
he eagerly sought for another glance
Once installed in the second best
''parlor," that looked out on to tangle
of fresh smelling flowers and wide
expanse of meadows and sweet, sleepy
looking pastures, Mrs. jerks new
ledger flung her neat straw hat on an
oldfashioned horsehair couch, and
with her two white hands ruff1ed the
prinlly dressed head until the rebellious
curls tumbled about her brow.
ho lilo
my old self once more! Ugh! What
a school miss | did feel in that mon
strous pancake! But have come, and
| have seen his lordship-and before l
return to town | shall have conquered
and become engaged to marry his lord
ship" She laughed gleefully Hes
not so bad looking, either, in spite of
what Dick said-and already he ap-
proves of my sweet simplicity"
Then she sat down at the cottage
piano, and presently the strains of
Annie Laurie sung in pretty, girl
ish voice, reached the ears of Mrs.
jerks gentleman lodger.
What sweet voice." he murmured,
land what wistful, desolate little
soul she seemed when she stood beg
ging to be allowed to stayi Probably
she is some hard working governess
come down from town for her. annual
holiday
Then he took up his hat and went
out for stroll before dinner-for Mrs.
jerks looked after her liberal guest as
well as though he were in his own
house. 1t must have been chance that
led his steps past the window of the
sitting room the singer occupied, his
feet scrunching the gravel noisiiy;
and perhaps it was also chance that
made him send swift glance at the
window, where a neat, dark head was
bending over some needlework, appar-
emily oblivious to his presence, though
her window was open
The heat was causing a thin blue
vapor to hover over the distant fields,
and the voice of nature was so hushed
that the silence seemed full of that
suppressed intensity that so often pre-
cedes storm. A few soft-eyed COWS
waded knee deep in a stagnant pond
and lowed invitingly to their compan-
ions to join them. A sleepy humble
bee buzzed languidly on half dead