The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1921-01-28


to catch 1t. Before this stood figure
in long, black, trailing fobes-the fig
ure of the nun-shaving
She saw the uncovered, close
cropped head plainly from the shadow
of her bunk, and the white face as 1t
was reflected in the glass-a young
face, markd with tense lines; not bad,
but perhaps little weak; boyish, in
spite of those terrible tight lines and
that unmistakable, chalky pallor.
Even the blue eyes had the strained
look; suffering was stamped on every
feature and emphasized in the CHASTITY,
grayish morning light.
Then the fascination gave place to
fear, and her lids contracted and shut
her back into darkness.
The mans movements were noise
less, save for the sound of his razor.
Then came a dreadful interval Of
absolute silence, during which her own
breathing seemed too deafening to be
borne.
What instant would she feel the
blade bite her quivering throat? Or
would it be swifter than the agony it
brought-the flaming, piercing, scarlet
agony!
1 Supine under the bewildering terror
she lay, not even Stimulating sleep. yet
| appearing to sleep profoundly.
The man worked quickly and then
| slipped again into his berth, with a
sigh of relief.
"Good morning, Miss Mamie Flynn"
cried the captain as she came out into
the bright morning light. "Sleep all
| right?"
She nodded without speaking.
During breakfast she determined
what to do, but she could not make up
her mind just how she would tell. and
side she had regained her poise and
composure.
'That's a mean-looking man." she
said, nodding her head toward the fig
ure that had passed her just as she
came upon Captain Pilkins.
81 seen him last night. If he amt
got the sneaking, fox-face, walking
around and popping up like a jack-in-
the box!
"Phew!" said the captain, and then
| laughed. He was the real fine old
kind of sea dog, an he had fine
old laugh. "Know who that ISL" he
laughed.
"No," she answered, with some i'm
! patience; ''how should II"
Captain Pilkins' face Strengthened.
"Well," said he impressively-bu the
corners of his eyes crinkled-'that's
Grant, the observation-disclosures Grant.
Biggest man in the service.
"He's looking for young barrow
that broke Sing Sing two days ago I;
thinks he may be aboard this boat.
| There's a thousand reward up for
barrow"
Mamie Flynn drew in her breath
and opened her mouth-then shut it
again. Far along the deck she caught
sight of two fgures-a man and a
slender girl-approaching!
| She watched as they drew near un-
til the vision of worn and hunted
man lying on high little cot, swathed
in bandages, suffering yet, with a
| strange, new light in his eyes, blurred
| everything for a moment; then she
heard a tired voice say, brokenly,
"Some men never get a chance,
| Name"
Buckner Grant emerged from COM
panionway in time to see her walk
straight toward the two with hands
extended, and say:
SISTER was asleep, so come out
still. I rested fine. And wasn't it fine
I seen you-Pm so glad. I'm coming
out to school to vespers Sunday after
next, sure.
Don't forget, give my love to Lizzie
| McManus, will you, Miss Barson
Good-by; no-go down that way-down
them stairs back there. The gate to
get off at is back there-ain't it, Cap
tain Pilkinsw
Captain Pilkins bowed and saluted,
and they turned in the direction indi-
Gated. Mamie Flynn went along few
steps. In fancy she saw the young
wife sitting sewing, sewing on the
nuns garments Were they correct in
every detail, or was the piercing gaze
of Grant detecting some flaw, even
now?
"Good-by, Miss Barson," she said
! again.
"Good-by, DEAR" came the answer.
There was no tremor in the sweet
young voice, but the last, swift Won
dering look of the startled eyes held
q flash which swept over Mamie Flynn
like the peace of heaven, making her
soul warm and glad.
She turned around, absolutely con-
science-clear through the inward illu-
mination which followed instantly
and came back with almost strut.
"Friends of yours?" said the cap
tain, smiling, in his nice way. Grant
still fingered near.
"Yep," she answered proudly. "Ain't
Miss Barson grand? Sister just thinks
everything of her and takes her every
where. Amt she beautiful? Gee
think of her, maybe some day being
J a nun-Gee! Maybe-some day."