The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1921-09-30
CHAPTER Vi-continued.
THREE.

Hugh stopped his car at Gufldford
station and, lighting cigarette,
strolled restlessly up and down. He
looked at his watch a dozen times in
two minutes; he threw away his
smoke before it was half finished. In
short he manifested every symptom
usually displayed by the male of the
species when awaiting the arrival of
the opposite SEX Over the telephone
he had arranged that she should come
by train from Godalming to confer
with him on a matter Of great import
ance; she had said she would, but
what was 1t? He, having no suitable
answer ready, had made loud buzz
ing noise Indicative of a telephone
exchange in pain, and then rung off.
And now he was waiting in that pc
culiar condition Of mind, which reveals
Itself outwardly in hands that are
rather too warm, and feet that are
rather too cold.
when is this bally train likely to
arrive" He accosted a phlegmatic
official, who regarded him coldly, and
doubted the likelihood of fits being
more than a quarter of an hour early
At length it was signaled, and Hugh
got back into his car Feverishly he
scanned the faces Of the passengers as
they came out into the street, until,
with a sudden quick Jump of his
heart, he saw her, cool and fresh,
coming toward him with a faint
smile on her lips.
"What is this very important matter
you want to talk to me about?" she
demanded, as he assisted her into his
car.
"Fll tell you when we get out on
the Hogs Back" he said slipping in
his clutch. "It's absolutely VITAL"
He stole a glance at her, but she
was looking straight in front of her,
and her face seemed expressionless.
"You must stand long way off
when you do" she said demurely.
"At least if it's the same thing as you
told me over the phone"
Hugh grinned sheepishly.
1.-The exchange went wrong" he re-
marked at length. Astonishing how
rotten the telephones are in town these
days"
"Quite remarkable" she returned
81 thought you weren't feeling very
we'll or something. OF course. if it
was the exchange :"
'They sort of buzz and blow, don't
you know" he explained helpfully.
THAT must be most fearfully jolly
for them" she agreed. And there
was silence for the next two miles.
Once or twice he looked at her out
of the corner of his eye, taking in
every detail Of the sweet profile so
near to him. Except for their first
meeting at the Carlton, it was the
only time he had ever had her COM
pletely to himself, and Hugh was de-
termined to make the most of 1t. He
felt as if he could go on driving for
ever, just he and she alone. 1t was
then that the girl turned and looked
at him. The car swerved danger
ously.
Lets STOP" she said, with the sus-
picion of a smile. "Then you can tell
me-"
Hugh drew into the side of the
road, and switched off the engine.
you're not fair" he remarked, and
if the girl saw his hand trembling a
little as he opened the door, she gave
no sign. He came and stood beside
her, and his right arm lay along the
seat just behind her shoulders.
Tell me about this important
thing" she said little nervously.
He smiled, and no woman yet born
could see Hugh Drummond smile with
out smiling too.
"You darlingw he whispered, under
his breath-"you adorable darling 2"
His arm closed around her, and al
most before she realized it, she felt
his lips on hers. For moment she
sat nlotionless. while the wonder of
1t surged over her. and the sky seemed
more gloriously blue, and the woods
~