The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1911-05-05
His Brown OvercOat
By LOUISE JACKSON STRONG


| you've been doing for ages, it seems!
but I've got to know what's the mat
ter between us. There had been no
formal declaration, but you knew that
loved you-Y never tried to hide It,
You accepted my attentions, letting
me hope everything!-then suddenly
you cut me absolutely! I can't think
you coquette, there must be a rea-
son. Tell me plainly what 1t is"
"Coquette!" she shrilled. you
couldn't complain If l WERE"
He studied bit. Honestly, Kate,
l don't know what you mean"
How exceedingly Innocent" she
jeered
Kate" he begged, Tell me frank
ly what you mean, what SANDER you
have heard about me-"
None! l saw But it doesn't mat
ter, it's nothing to me-"
Il had hoped that anything concern
ing me was considerable to you Kate"
he pleaded. And though I suppose
your manner should be sufficient, am
going to have a straight answer. I
love you, Kate. VIII you marry me?"
Proposing to girl on horseback
has its disadvantages. At that instant
one OF Docs forelegs went into hole,
| pitching the pair forward to the verge
OF unseating them. When they were
again under way Roger Immediately
repeated his declaration and request.
That question should go with your
kiss, sir" Kate retorted. "You never
kissed me, thank fortune!"
Meaning, I take 1t, that I did kiss
some other girl-and from what you
said a moment ago. infer that you
saw me. When, whom and where.
please?"
Your pretense is contemptible!
she burst out. 81 could respect you II
you had simply discovered that you
were mistaken in your feeling for me,
but to be trifling with both of us!-
Well, then, though / hate myself for
mentioning it-and I haven't before
now, even to mother, and she was with
me-we were coming from town. It
was almost dark-you were at the
gate with Ella Mason, and you-you
kissed her! That's my last world"
| she said.
Il suppose you never dreamed you
might be mistaken"
Il couldn't be! I know your brown
overcoat as well as I know you! II
you're half man you'll try to make
Ella happy"
He said nothing, but urged Doc
around corner
Let me off, or take me straight
home!" she ordered
We're going up to see about Elias
happiness first" he returned, paying
no heed to her angry commands and
| demands.
Ella ran down to the gate, laughing
well If you folks aren't in style!"
Don't laugh at u.s." Roger begged,
slyly. you know you wouldn't mind
riding so with Frank White"
It's none Of your business If !
wouldn't" Ella tossed her head. There
was an explosive breath behind Roger.
Come in," Ella urged.
Cant" Roger replied Kate seemed
dumb. II stopped to ask you if you
| remember when 1t was that Frank
was here with my overcoat on. want
the date particularly, haven't seen
him since"
"Why-why 1t was three weeks last
Thursday, the seventh" Evidently Ella
| had reason for remembering the date,
her face famed scarlet.
Thank you, I guess you're right"
Roger said, turning Doc.
Kate mumbled few words to Ella
over her shoulder as Doc trudged
away.
Roger whistled softly until they
neared her home, then remarked to
the atmosphere. 1T wasn't very cold
and Frank had come out without an
overcoat. He was just up from the
grip, and mother made him take
mine," he added, plaintively. HE has
it yet, too"
Hates attempted speech quavered
into a sob.
AS they rode up to the side porch
her mother came out, exclaiming:
81 told you it would be dreadfully
muddy in the bottoms. Kate. I'm
glad Roger picked you up. Did you
get to Mary's?"
mo, she didn't" Roger interposed.
But we went up and saw Ella Ma
son a minute, at the gate"
II saw Ella at the gate, too, and
Frank White with her. They didn't
seem to mind the public little bit"
Mrs. williams responded smartly.
Come in and stay to supper, Roger"
Thank you, I will"
Roger lifted Kate down and kissed
her boldly, saying, Evidence all in,
Miss Williams. Here's the kiss with
the question I asked you awhile ago.
You're going to marry me, you know"
Kate did not deny the impudent as
sertion, but ran away as her mother
cried:
did you ever! You two don't seem
to mind the public little bit either"
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