The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1906-01-26

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don't care. Never speak to me again
-you-you cad!"
| | should not have spoken like that
of course. But am telling you wha,
| did, not what | ought to do.
He went red and then white before
he answered me.
How = dare you!" he said, al
last
Then he turned round and walked
away. I'really cried then. The butch
er's book had got right on my mind
/ sat down in the garden all Sunday
afternoon with father. pretending to
read, because l thought he was go
ing to ask if / didn't feel well or
something. He notices things so. In
| the evening we had some music He
sings beautifully. Gle does everything
we'll, except business.) He asked me
to sing Eye Banks and Braes."
broke down at the end: when my
false love was true 1t made me
think of-of the butchers book. had
not told father of that, so, of course,
| he thought it was something else. He
| took me on his knee, just as if l was
little again.
Tell me, old darling" he whispered.
mo, daddy" begged. mo!
Please! 1t isn't anything, only
only You love me very much,
don't your
l can't put down what he said, be-
cause he is my father. and thinks me
so much better than l am. You see
have to be good to him and the boys,
because | promised mother.
l expected l should have to tell him
about the butchers pill on Monday,
because there would De only fish foi
dinner, but the man called as usual.
and asked for the book to receipt it
A gentleman had paid it up to the end
of the month before last, he said.
did not wonder so much that father
found out, because he Is so clever; but
! was puzzled how he found the money.
was very pleased, too; and when you
are pleased you think of cheerful
things was looking at some hats in
a circular to see what kind | would
have as soon as father got some more
stories paid for, when Jane said that
a lady wanted to see me. So l went
into the drawing-room with company
smile. | changed the smile when
saw - the girl in the green hat!
She held out her hand and nodded at
me with her head little on one side.
She was pretty, so it's no use saying
she wasn't.
''You are surprised to see me?" she
asked
Mo-" I was not surprised At any
thing she did.
She looked at me, and l looked at
her. Then she smiled again. | did
not like her, but | liked her smile.
81 want to be friends with you, if
[ may" She waited for me to answer,
but did not know what to say with
out hurting her feelings II am afraid
you do not care for me-" she said, sud-
denly.
lam afraidI don't,"I admitted. TWAS
not polite thing to say, but one must
tell the truth sometimes!
II am sorry. II wanted to speak
to you about Dick"
l drew myself up. 81 do not wish
tc discuss him. If that is all you
have come about" stared straight
at the door.
please listen" she begged. II am
lot older than you; and do like you
Dick is the best boy that ever was;
and from what he has told me"
II won't listen to that" l cried.
you must listen. You had no
right to say what you said to him. 1t
was shameful Shameful She
stamped her foot at me- l liked her
better for that, because it showed she
was not just make-belieye. HE never
did near thing. He couldn't do a
mean thing. If he could, he wouldn't
do it to you. He's as foolishly in
love with you as foolish boy can be.
And you're in love with him, you ridi-
culous child. You know you are
l sat down suddenly. l felt funny.
Aren't your" l asked. My voice
was all shaky.
'In love with Dick! T." She stared
at me as if l had gone mad. why,
I'm 10! Now. l see!''. She clappel
her hands NO! And he isn't in love
with me, either There there!' she put
her arm around me. and rested my head
against her.
''I'll tell you something. He did
speak to me about your bills. He
shouldn't have done it, but it was be-
cause he was so proud of what you
did for your father and brothers He
thought your secret was safe with me-
Oh Molly! 1t was"
put my arm round her and kissed
her.
Il wish were good like you." told
her.
Nonsense! I'm not good at ALL
Dicks different It's easy to him tc.
forgive. He's gone and spent nearly
every penny he had and paid your
butchers bill. Come. come, dear!
know it hurts you. 1t would hurt me
But l should sacrifice my pride, dear.
il I were you. / am sure I should
Men and boys don't understand us a
bit, Molly"
"Oh!" l cried. 81 don't know if
am old enough to love Dick properly
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