The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1916-02-25

geniaffty 10 what they strive for, bo-
cause they realize there's nothing bet
ter possible for them. Congenial! As
though finding society congenial were
the end-all of a beautiful, cultured
girls life. Being conxenial won't help
you any. when you see the wrinkles
coming. Congenial! Oh, indeed"
"You speak of people in this place
as though they were uncomfortable.
I'm afraid"
$50 they are inconsiderable," she
cut in, rising young men, promising
young men, young men of intelligence
in facial young men, but young
men without money. There's no sense
in our trying to evade what's in each
of our minds. When you say, it's
quite congenial here,'-you mean Hugh
Keene; and when 1 say inconsider-
| able people and young men Of every
| kind but young men with money /
mean Hugh Keene."
She rose to go indoors.
But that's all nonsense. One can't
live on promises or inconvertible in
telligence. You really should appre-
ciate that. I'll do my best to meet
this Mr.. Walker; we can arrange it at
the club-and YOU" her shoulders
shrugged expressively. Then sudden
ly her hard face softened (Ethel
thought 1t looked much nicer infex-
ible), and she came quickly toward
her daughter.
Its been an awful drag, dear
more of drag than you at this time
can appreciate. It's because / don't
want that you should ever have to
appreciate what denial means that I'm
so anxious you should be comfortable.
Anything but a lack of money. That
is doubly unbearable for those who are
used to luxury. Think of that-try
to imagine yourself without the lux
uries you have come to consider the
necessities Of life, and you might get
an inklfng of what I mean" She
turned and went into the house.
Edith was splendidly, vibrantly alive
as she mixed with the many people in
the reception room Of the exclusive
Sunset club the night of the annual
ball. She wore a wonderfully fllmy
cream colored gown that artistically
subordinsted itself to the soft beauty
Of her face.
Mrs. Hilton was there, seeing all,
understanding all, her deep piercing
eyes darting everlastingly about the
busy room, ready at any moment to
appreciate anything tkst happened
any place-in visual touch every
second With the entire room. Both
Edith AID her mother were the guests
Of Hugh Keene.
In one corner Of the room, sur
rounded by group Of worshipers of
the shrine Of gold, stood Walker.
When Hugh led Edith back after the
first dance, Mrs. Hilton spoke to him,
drawing him slightly out of tho range
Of passing guests.
THAT man over in tho corner, the
one in the center of that group. dark
haired, rather coarse featured, he's
Mr.. Walker, believer"
Eyes"
Can you arrange sp's we'll meet
him."
Certainly, If you care toll bring
him over"
"Of course you won't say"
Nonsense, he'll come to meet you'll"
He started for the far corner Of the
room and in a few moments returned
Walker in tow.
Introductions were soon over.
Walker bowed deferentially to Age,
calamity to Beauty, and all stood talk
ing until Mrs. Hilton graciously indi-
Gated that Hugh offer her his arm. He
did, rather reluctantly, and they moved
of, leaving Edith and Walker alone.
Hugh was worried at the evident at
traction that Walker and Edith seemed
to have for each other; so, worried
that he proposed to her during the
very next dance-proposed and was
put off with "a
"This is so sudden, Hugh. I hardly
know my own mind"
The worry did not leave him the
next day, did not even leave him that
afternoon when Walker called on him
and gave him stock-buying commits
sion, and showed his confidence by
leaving with him certified check for
s250,0O0, though the prospect of the
commissions on the trading did open
up possibilities.
Thoughts of Edith filed Hughs
every working moment Now came
this stranger to their city and into
their society, and opened up prospects
Of wealth and luxury to their vain
souls that made his offering seem in
considerable. 1t was impossible, ut
terly, to contend with him from this
angle, 1t would take years-unless-
He shook the thought from him, feel
ing unutterably wicked that he
should have allowed 1t q place in his
mind at all. All the way homo, and
before he got into bed that night. he
tried to think Of some way of over
coming the tremendous advantage of
Walkers money-shd always came
back that dark thought, each Danish
ment seeming only to increase the
subtle insidiousness Of the next at
tack. until he fell asleep, alternately
hating himself and returning to the
thought that darkly. fascinatingly
followed that word, unless"
The next morning. on arising, he
felt free Of the fearful temptation of
last evening. II was q cheerless free.
dom, however, when he realized fully
again the hopelessness of his position.
might better say 1t was a cherries
freedom until he realized again the
hopelessness of his position; for with
| that full realization he was M Ionoar