The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1909-10-08

plation of Tommy, the Office boy.
The youth in question was an especial
pet of Irene's, and an irresistible i'm
pulse. which Delmar felt to be. ex.
ceedingly foolish, impelled his EN-.
ployer to ask him an entirely un-
necessary question.
You like Miss Stanton, don't you,
Tommy" he queried.
BET yer life" responded the boy,
quickly. "She was awful good to us
when me mudder was sick" He
paused as though summoning up cour-
, age to make a request, and added, i'm.
ploringly: "Youse amt goin' to let her
leave us, air yer, Mr.. Delmar?"
Delmar started as though stung.
Leave us?" he repeated; "why, no
no, what makes you ask such a ques-
ton, Tommy"
"Mebbe 1 hadn't ought to have said
nothin' about it," returned the boy, as
though he feared lest he might cause
trouble for his favorite. "All knows
Is that her aunt came to de Office
early dis mornin', before youse come
down, and showed her a TELEGRAPH that
come from her uncle in Buffalo, who
wants 'em both to come there an
live"
"And what did Miss Stanton say?"
inquired Delmar, excitedly.
"She kind of sighed, an said: I
s'pose it's for de bes,'" returned the
, urchin. Seemed to me she wasn't
over glad to t'ink of leavin', dough,
cause de old lady SEES: I fought
youse didn't like Chicago, and 'ud be
glad to get away an Miss Stanton
ses: Well, usen't to like it, but
feels different now"
Delmar tossed the boy a quarter.
Thank you for your information,
Tommy" he said. miss Stanton won't
leave if 1 can help it, she's too good to
lose. Now, clear off and amuse your
self. You can have a half holiday, as
don't need your services this after
noon"
Tommy lost no time in availing him.
self of his freedom, and Delmar, left
alone, pondered gravely over the new
turn affairs had taken. When Irene
returned, he fancied that look OF
unusual sadness fingered in the depths
of her dark eyes. Could it be that
Tommy had guessed correctly and
that she was sorry to go away? And
could it be possible that he was even
partially the cause of her regret!
She had scarcely seated herself at
her desk, when he crossed to her side
and said. softly:
Don't mind those letters now
Irene, 1 want to ask you something
important. Tommy tells me-" he
said, that your aunt contemplated
taking you to Buffalo"
YES" replied the girl, rather list
lessly. my uncle is anxious that We
should go there and live with him."
And you are glad to go?"
She shook her head, but made nc
answer. Delmar, watching her in
J tently, saw that her eyes were brimful
of tears. He bent down and his arm
stole around her neck, while he whis
pered: "You must not go, Irene, will
| uOI lSI yOu
| His lips touched hers, and she did
not repulse him, but footstep on the
threshold of the door caused Delmar
to step back swiftly, just as the tall
dignified form of his sister swept into
the ROOM The confusion of the lovers
was evident, and Miss Leslie smiled
maliciously as she gazed first at the
shy, conscious face of the girl and
then at her brother.
1T seems that I have interrupted
an interesting act of love drama,
she said, with chilling emphasis.
Delmar recovered his self posses
sion quickly.
You needn't apologize, Leslie" he
said, coolly; you could scarcely have
come at better moment. Miss Stan
ton has just honored me by promising
| to become my wife,"
He bent down and kissed Irene fond
ly as he finished speaking, and Miss
| Leslie bowed to the inevitable.
II congratulate you BOTH" she said
stiff1y, with the resigned air of one
who accepts defeat.