The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1916-04-14

| uOu hCCu ".
And if you had the intelligence |
once attributed to you. you'd show
more respect for the man who thought
seriously of making you his bene-
| ficiary!"
Marley, putting down the camera,
| stared at him in amazement.
Yes, young man, mean what say.
| If you could ever show a moments
| serious interest in my business, you'd
become the heir to that business, and
all that went with it,"
But l have other things to remem-
ber," answered the ever flippant Man
ley.
What other things?" was the older
mans curt inquiry, stung by the
thought that even his munifcence was
| being condemned.
well, this gim-crack, for one thing.
! And for another, that letter in your
| hand there, about your tenements."
But Golden's patience was exhaust
ed. Get out of here!" was his brusque
command. Get down to Griswold's
bank with these checks, and be quick
about it,
Whereupon Manley meekly took his
departure. Two minutes later, how
ever, yet another figure was passing
through the gloomy silences of Enoch
Golden's home. 1t was more purpose
full figure than that of the lazy-eyed
young secretary. And over the face
of this intruder as he cautiously made
his way through the great house was
an odd-looking band of yellow cloth,
cut in the form of mask. The center
of this, dropping apronlike almost to
his upper lip, was marked by an in
verified crescent, which at first glance
lent to the partly-covered face the
faint suggestion of an ironically laugh
ing mouth. Yet the unknown stranger
was serious enough as he stopped be-
fore door at the end of the second
hall and pushed on one of a row of
noiselessly back at that signal, and an
electric elevator rose automatically to
the level of the floor where he stood.
Inside the elevator, he touched still
another button, whereupon the cage
rose noiselessly. Once it had come to
stop, he leaned against the appar-
emily blank wall of the elevator shaft
and studied it closely.
His exploring plainly found there a
secret spring, for the next moment a
' clinno1 60 81 IL
and he stepped into the room so art
fully fireproofed with pressed steel
panels and grained to look like oak,
which Golden had once used as his
bondroom.
That room, although not used for
years, was at the present moment far
from empty. For pacing restlessly
back and forth, as the stranger quietly
entered, was a golden-haired woman
of little more than twenty. The face
under the mask smiled little at her
sudden movement and gasp of sur
prise as he confronted her.
Are you still afraid of me?" he
asked
"N-no!" hesitated the girl.
I'D give good DEAL" declared the
other, Ito know who you are!"
"Im-I'm afraid l can't help you
any, in that" she finally told him.
why not?"
Because | don't know myself"
The man in the mask hesitated. To
make things plain, apparently, was no
easy matter.
Il want to take you to a man who
may be interested in you, who may
even prove to be very kind to you!"
The pale face with the haunted eyes
suddenly hardened.
Il no longer ask for kindness from
men," was her almost passionate re-
tort
"Oh, this old scoundrel won't be too
dangerously kind, especially until the
ice is broken. l warrant you that
much. But with him, I'll also warrant,
you'll face none of the affronts that
you may have faced in the Owls
Nest"
But why should he be interested
in me?"
Because you may remind him of a
daughter he himself once had"
Then what must | do?"
You must put on dress | have
ready, one exactly like the one his
own daughter used to wear. And I'd
like you to let down your hair"
So the girl, still touched with won
der, was cautiously led to another part
OF the great house, where she let down
her hair and dressed herself in a girl
ish little frock which she found al
ready laid out for her. And the won
der was still in her eyes as the masked
stranger struggled her quietly down
through the house, and, as the aged
millionaire bent low to unlock the bot
tom drawer of his desk, motioned her
noiselessly into the library and into
an armchair facing the desk.
By the time Golden had raised his
head again the mysterious stranger
had slipped out of sight.
Golden, as he sat upright, stared for
several moments of silence at the
strange figure in the armchair.
Who are your the grim-faced old
financier finally demanded. But the
girl remained silent.
Golden, studying her more closely,
rose unsteadily to his feet.
How did you get here?" he asked
And passing hand across his mois-
tened brow he asked still again: "Who
are you?"
Il don't KNOW" answered the girl.
Golden rose to his feet, and still
staring hungrily at that mild yet cloud
ed face, crossed to her side.