The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1922-08-25

eyes were hard and brilna.a . n.a
monds.
Il was wondering when you are
going to ask me again to marry YOU"
Since she had given a good deal of
feminine diplomacy to the task Of
keeping him at reasonable distance,
Bromfield was naturally surprised.
That's certainly a leading ques-
tion," he parted. "What are you up
to, Bee? Are you spoofing me?"
I'm proposing to you," she ex-
planned, with a fiirt of her hand and
an engaging smile toward man and
girl who had just come into the
Palm room. 81 don't suppose 1 do it
very well, because I haven't had your
experience. But I'm doing the best /
can"
His lids narrowed trif1e. do you
mean that you've changed your mind?"
"Haye your" she asked, quickly,
with sidelong slant of eyes at him.
I'm still very much at your service,
Bee"
"Does that mean you still think you
want me?"
II don't think. / know It."
'Then you're on" she told him with
little nod. THANK you, kind sir"
Bromfield drew deep breath. by
Jove, you're good little sport, Bee.
think I'll get up and give three ring
ing cheers"
I'D like to see you do that she
Knocked.
"Of course you know I'm the happi-
est man in the world" he said, with
well-ordered composure.
You're not exactly what I'd call a
rapturous lover, Clary. But Pm not,
either, for that matter, so I dare say
We'll hit 1t off very WE'LL"
I'm good deal harder hit than I've
ever let on, dear girl. And I'm going
to make you very happy. That's a
promise"
Nevertheless he watched her warily,
behind a manner of graceful eager
ness. A suspicious little thought was
filtering through the back of his mind.
''What the deuce has got into the girl?
Ids SHS UCCu tuoS
bounder from AriZOna?"
I'm glad of that I'll try to make
you a good wife, even If" She let the
sentence die out unfinished.
May tell everybody how happy I
amp
eff you like" she agreed.
"a short engagement" he ventured.
"Yes," she nodded. "And take me
away for a while. I'm tired of New
York, l think"
I'll take you to a place where the
paths are primrose-strewn and where
nightingales sing" he promised, rashly.
She smiled incredulously, wise old
little smile that had no right on her
young face.
The report of the engagement spread
at once. Bromfield took care of that.
The evening of the day the Runt heard
of the engagement he told his friend
about it while Kitty was In the
kitchen.
Miss Beatrice she's wearin' new
ring" he said by way Of breaking the
news gently.
Clay turned his head slowly and
looked at Johnnie.
"Bromfield?" he asked.
yep. That's the story"
"The ring was on the left handT
"Yep."
Clay made no comment His friend
knew enough to say no more to him.
Presently the cattleman went out. It
was in the small hours of the morning
when he returned. He had been
tramping the streets to get the fever
out of his blood.
But Johnnie discussed with Kitty at
length this new development. just as
he had discussed with her the fact that
Clay no longer went to see the Whit
fOrds. Kitty made shrewd guess at
the cause of division. She had already
long since drawn from the cowpuncher
the story of how Miss Beatrice had re-
jected his proposal that she take an
interest in her.
'They must "a quarreled-likely
about me being here. I'm sorry you
told her."
II don't reckon that's it. Miss Bea-
triee she's got too good judgment for
that"
81 ought to go away. I'm only bring
ing Mr.. Lindsay trouble. If he just
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