The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1905-11-17

she didn't notice It. Then he looked ct
her.
"Well?"
Her eyes met his for one brief sec
end, then fell.
"Margery,' he said, don't let's quar-
rel; it's too hot"
Then you do admit that it's hot?'
she laughed.
II said before that 1t was warm:
we'll make it hot, If it suits you any
BETTER"
She looked at him as if to fathom his
meaning, but his face was as impas-
GIVE as ever, and he was chewing medi-
tatively upon a fresh twig. Then the
absurdity of it came to her, and she
laughed; laughed immoderately till the
wooded hillside re-echoed her mirth.
"Oh! Bonnie, Bennie," she cried,
you're dear boy"-he bit the twig-
how do like to tease you. Come, let's
be going. They'll think we are never
coming"
He assisted her to her feet, and they
started along the path, she in the lead,
and. few moments later came to an
open spot on the hillside. 1t was very
rocky and was covered only with
stumpy, scraggy bushes upon which
the sun glared with scorching yigor.
She swung along blithely, humming
melody from Don Pasquale."
He brought up the rear, his botanical
knapsack swung over his shoulder and
a camera in his hand. He was abb
stractedly studying the back of her
head, when something caused him to
cast his gaze ahead Of her.
stop, Marcy Don't novel"
1t was too late. She uttered cry OF
mingled horror and pain and fell
swooning into his arms.
Briscoe acted quickly. If he hadn't
the viper would have struck again. AS
il was, Bonnie returned the smoking
revolver to his pocket and calmly
kicked the writing, thrashing body Of
the reptile into the bushes.
When Marcy opened her eyes and
saw him unlacing her shoe she won
dered what it was all about. Then the
recollection came to her and she shud-
dered.
He felt her move and passed small
silver-mounted flask to her.
Here, dear" he said, drink as
much as you can. 1t will do you
good"
He pulled the shoe off and slit the
stocking with his knife. Two tiny blue
spots showed where the venomous
fangs had entered, and already the
ankle was beginning to swell.
She shuddered again, partly with
horror and partly, as result Of the
raw brandy she had swallowed. Then
she noticed how close the top of his
brown head was to her, and she grew
strangely calm.
He was rubbing the white flesh with
his handkerchief and she found herself
wondering what he was going to do
next Somehow she felt that no harm
would come to her, because-because
he was there. Even now he was not
excited, and she-yes, she was glad.
'Now, Marcy" he said, "I'm going
to do something that don't like to do.
But it's got to be done, so please don't
mind the unpleasantness."
And then he got down upon his
kness, pressed his lips over the two
little blue spots and sucked the poison
from the wound. Just for moment
he did it; then he Strengthened up. :
'Ugh!" he said, that's not pleasant,
i2 it? You'd better take another drink
of that brandy; it won't hurt YOU"
Then he repeated the operation, and
then bandaged the foot with his hand
kerchief, which he tore into strips, and
replaced her shoe and stocking.
There" he announced. 81 think that
will do all right. Does your foot pain
your" .....
She shook her head.
mo; but my head feels $3.50 fun
n.y."
He grinned.
''MS great-grandfather bottled that
brandy ever so many years ago. 1t
ought to be good"
He fell to arranging the knapsack
and other things.
"You can't walk, you know" he said.
"Why, how am to get back?"
81 shall carry you" ...... ...
"You mustn't. Think of the people
at the hotel"
eff you were my fiancee-"
"But I'm not"
"Then shall leave you here"
''Oh! Bennie." s.,
There was agitation In her voice.
"Well," he asked, turning, shall ]
carry your" ~
'sWell, IL can't very we'll stay here,
and-well, suppose so.'
"Ah,'' he said, as he picked her UP
and she snuggled her face to his, 'this
is xciting!"-Illustrated Bits.