The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1906-01-05
Eva had a headache. She determined

fleet that Hight would be cOWarulce.
BERTHE was quite within his rights,
though hasty. And she was fortunate
to have got rid of a man who could
see anything in that horsy Noreham
creature.
Her partner, cheerful young man,
said: Have you heard the news about
Maude Noreham?"
Her heart sank in spite of all her
determination. About her engage
ment?" she asked, family.
YES" said her partner. Lucky
beggar isn't he?"
She didn't know what reply she
made, nor what they talked about for
the rest of that dance. She only knew
that in order to do this so suddenly,
BERTHE and that-that person must
have had an understanding for months
before-must have simply been wait
ing for the opportunity-oh, the vii
famous treachery of it all! And with
her ring!
At last the music stopped, and the
dance ended. Would you mind find
ing my mother for me?' she said, with
difficulty keeping back the tears.
Her partner was very sorry, and
hoped she wasn't feeling faint. She
thought it must be the heat. But her
mother was nowhere to be seen. After
wandering about in vain search, her
eye fell on a familiar figure. BERTHE
was standing beside the table. Though
munching a sandwich, he looked the
picture of hopeless misery and despair
He came slowly toward her, mourn
fully rubbing crumbs off his gloves.
81 think the next is our dance, Miss
Rowen," he said, offering his arm.
What was she to do? She took II,
and they walked toward the conserva-
tory.
ooh, for a little sympathy" he
moaned.
Il should have thought you expected
congratulations" She spoke with a
touch of bitterness.
Congratulations? he exclaimed,
savagely. Congratulations? Listen!
Did tell you how loved Maude?"
Yes" she said.
YES" he went on, Il thought had
mentioned it to somebody. Well,' he
said, raising his head YEARLY, Il
asked her if she would marry me-" He
paused. WAS there anything unrea-
sonable in that?" he exclaimed, fierce
ly.
What did she say?" faltered Eva.
''Say?" he replied. "She said: TIA,
dear boy, but I'm suited; didn't 1 tell
you before?' just as if l were an err
rand boy applying for situation"
What did she mean by Didn't l tell
you before?'"
Il don't know" he said, gloomily.
ooh, believe she had said something
earlier in the evening about just hav-
ing become engaged to Lord Daren.
If she had, had forgotten all about
it,"
Then she wasn't engaged to you?"
said Eva, with some excitement.
mot when l last heard of the mat
ter" he said. Have you any later
news?"
Eva was flaming herself vigorously.
Il really believe you're pleased to
hear about it," he said, reproachfully.
mo, I'm not" she said. I'm very
sorry for YOU
That's the way with sisters; they
always object to people their brothers
choose"
you can choose anybody you like"
she said.
Its worse than choosing a motor
car" he sighed. why can't one hire
an expert to choose a wife?' He
shook his head. And yet l must,
must
Why in such hurry?" asked Eva.
81 should take day or two to look
around"
But it's so uncomfortable to feel
ones self hanging about loose and liza
BILE to be snapped up at any moment.
Besides, I'm not like other men who
when they meet some sudden and ter
rible disaster fly to drink. Drink is
so vulgar; l fly to natrinony"
And have you had .lisaster?" she
asked, with sisterly interest, still fan
ming herself.
Disaster" he said. dolefully.
Listen! For three months had been
engaged to the beautifullsst, sweetest
darling in the Who'll, worlG--er-you-
you don't mind my confidins to you my
personal affairs like this?'
She said nothing, but felt warm and
comfortable and hsppy for the first
time that evening.
ALLOW me to fan you," ae said,
taking her fan. well, it's a sad story.
was saying she was the perfectest-
and so on, don't you know"
did she die?" SAID Eva, wita SYM
pathy. please don't brush ny nose
with the feathers
mo, she didn't exactly die. She
drew herself erect, with flashing eye,
looking magnificent-pa an un-
happy mans "reminiscences, won't sou?
and she said: Go! Out into blank,
dismal, dreary darkness!' Now why?
Because was a murderer? Not a bit
of it! Because I was unkind to my
aged parents? No! Because l vas
already married? Net even that. You
won't believe it, but st was simply Ne
cause there was something gone greg
gy in my outl-"
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