The Ely miner., 1914-02-06
AUTHOR OF THE CITY THAT WAS, ETC.
ILLUSTRATED By HdrryR. Grissin6er
'-MERRILLCo )

crecy. She chose an evening when, as
happened seldom nowadays, nearly all
the boarders had engagements else
where. AS step preliminary to her
diplomacies, she telephoned to McGee
and made with him an appointment far
from the Office. Then she approached
Betsy-Barbara.
tits asking lot of you, my DEAR"
she said, "but I've been SO busy gettin'
this place shook together that
haven't had time to mind my own af-
fairs. I've cousin In town an jest
haven't had time to pay her any at
tention. Miss Estrilla is kind of nerv.
GUS tonight, an l hate to leave her
alone until her brother comes-any-
how, he misses some evenings. Just
sit by her-an' II he shows up you
don't have to do even that"
Betsy-Barbara accepted the new re-
sponsibility.
I'D love it." she said almost cheer
fully. Constance is going to try to
get some sleep tonight, and I'll put her
to bed right after dinner. And I've
been dying to meet Miss Estrilla."
Miss Estrilla's appearance appealed
at once to Betsy -Barbaras quick SYM
pathies. Her eyes were shaded;
further she wore heavy colored glass
es. She was rather tall and slender
woman, Betsy-Barbara decided. There
was kind Of exquisite shyness about
her which blended perfectly with
punctilious Spanish courtesy. She
spoke English without a trace Of her
brothers amusing roll.
Betsy-Barbara, when the Ice was
broken. chartered girl-fashion on the
events of the day In the boarding
house, avoiding always the subject of
the tragedy which had drawn them to-
gether. 1--WE brought up the evening
paper" she said, wouldn't you like to
have me read it to you? There's a
splendid elopement In high life"
81 should like it very much" replied
Miss Estrilla, after pause at which
Betsy-Barbara wondered
Betsy-Barbara read the headlines
and rendered in full the stories which
Miss Estrilla indicated. She was abb
sorbed in the account of a splendid
burglary, when knock sounded at the
door. And Estrilla entered.
AS he recognized her with a bow of
inimitable attention and courtesy, as
he crossed the room and tenderly
kissed his sister, Betsy-Barbara had,
somehow, the feeling that she was
meeting stranger. For the first time,
at any rate, she eE2raseSd him to
herself. He was small-but she had
always noticed that obvious fact. Look
ing at the figure on the bed, one would
have called the sister the taller of the
two. He was nevertheless perfectly
formed. He had plume Of black hair
which glimmered in the gaslight with
a dusky reflection of Betsy-Barbara's
native gold-and-satin turban.
She sat for five minutes, while broth
er and sister made her the focus Of
their conversation. But she was not
amused. In the presence Of his sis
ter, Estrilla appeared different man
from the fight fencer with words Of
their evenings downstairs. He was
grave; he was formal. 1t was puz-
zling, but a little fascinating. this
change.
In five minutes more, Barbara
summoned tact to the aid of manners
and maiden modesty. She invented an
excuse to shield herself against Span
ish politeness, and left Estrilla bow
;rrv NJ fhn fhrnchoId
The house seemed deserted. 1t was
too late for venturihg forth alone; yet,
somehow, she must exercise the vague
black visions which began to surround
her-she who must keep courage for
two Also, something which she could
not analyze was stirring disquiet in
her soul.
eff only had some work." she said
to herself, and sighed again. So medi-
tating, she wandered aimlessly down
stairs. The doors of the parlor were
open; the lights were on; the baby
grand piano stood open, inviting.
"Only merry tunes. though" she
warned herself as she sat down. And
she started the liveliest Jig she knew.
Presently, she began to sing in her
pleasant unframed voice, which wob-
bled enIrancingly whenever she got
out of the middle register. But music
is the slave of moods. And before she
was aware, her voice was following
the strings in old and melancholy love
songs.
Then Betsy-Barbara dropped her
hands from the keys, and the music
stopped abruptly. She was just aware
that fine floating tenor had been
humming the part from the doorway.
Senior Estrilla stood looking down on
her.
my seester has gone to Sleep" he
said And then, THAT is a Scotch song,
is it not? Please go on" Betsy-Bar-