The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1920-05-21
l. o. u.
8
BY CORONA REMINGTON

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
&C. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.)
VI tell you, son." Mr.. Losmond con-
tinued, "if you don't stop fooling
around that Blake girl you'll marry
her sure; then I'll disinherit you"
But, father, I'm not in love with
Miss Blake, and wouldn't marry her
if she were the only girl in the world"
well, that may be all right, but
there's something want you to do for
me. / want you to go to California
TO your Uncle Will Benefits and stay
on his ranch for awhile and learn
something of country life. l wrote to
him about it, and he said he'd be glad
to have you"
Jack thought moment His father
was evidently set upon his going, and,
anyhow, trip to California would not
be so bad; SO why not? After brief
mental calculation he replied:
"Pll be ready next Wednesday,"
Good! That's settled. I'll write to
your uncle and tell him when to ex-
pect you" :
A few days of hustling preparations
and Jack found himself ready for the
trip. When Wednesday morning ar
rived he boarded the through sleeper
for San Francisco, and seated himself
with light heart as he idly watched
the hurrying, scurrying crowds outside
waving goodbys to the slowly moving
train. He sat immersed in thought for
few moments, but his attention was
soon distracted by the gruff voice of
the Pullman conductor speaking to the
passenger in the opposite seat:
"Well, lady, you can't stay here I'M
less you have got the money to pay for
it-you'll have to go in the day coach"
"But day coaches don't go all the
way to San Francisco, and I'm alone,
and I'd have to stop at hotels ON the
way" the passenger protested.
Beneath a perky little toque Jack
saw most bewitching face that wore
an expression of much perplexity. The
young man promptly sided with the
distressed little creature across the
aisle, and, drawing a card from his
pocket, touched the conductor on the
arm.
please give this to the young lady,"
he said, "anG ask her to permit me to
lend her the necessary money-it
would be pleasure"
Without waiting for the message to
be repeated, the girl glanced at the
card and addressed Jack directly:
ITS so good of you to offer, Mr.. Los
mond. II don't know what to do
about it, but guess I'll have to accept.
Here's my card. I'll return it as soon
as reach San FRANCISCO"
AS she smiled her thanks two fasci-
mating dimples appeared, then disap-
peared so rapidly that Jack could not
be sure that he had seen them after
all. He hoped she would smile again.
After the conductor had gone he want
ed to talk to his fair neighbor, but
Miss Westell seemed to consider the
matter closed, for she soon buried her
self in a book and the morning passed
When luncheon was an
nounced, he decided to wait until the
girl should arise, in the hope of being
able to offer to escort her to the din
er, but Edith Westell showed no signs
of moving. Suddenly it occurred to
him that possibly she had no money
to pay for her meal, since he had only
handed to the conductor enough to
pay for her Pullman fare. He ad-
dressed her o. in his most engaging
tones:
"Beg pardon, Miss Westell, but won't
you take lunch with me? I'd be
charmed if you would"
She puckered up her forehead for
second, as if debating, then:
"Since Pm nearly starved and it's
my only chance of getting something
to eat, I guess I'd better accept your
kindness, though it does seem dread
fully unconventional; but I'm raven
ously hungry"
Lets forget conventions until we
reach San Francisco" he suggested.
"But think it would be better for
me to borrow more money, and pay
for my own lunch" she replied.
'Pm afraid I can't lend you any
he returned with mock serious
ness.
The girl looked up and caught the
twinkle in his dark eyes and smiled
despite her attempt at being digni-
fed.
"Well," she said, "PH have to accept
this time. Let's go at once, please;
I'm famished." ~
Mr.. Losmond ordered the meal and
watched the girl sitting opposite him
with fascinated interest. Her face wore
an expression Of eager anticipation.
"You seem to be interested In
things" he remarked.
Having had nothing to eat since
last night, and possessing an abnorm-
ally good appetite, naturally am"
"Too bad" he sympathized 81 new
er dreamed but what you'd had your
breakfast"
"No. I'm running away. and