The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1922-02-24
UNSELFISHNESS
BY FLORENCE MELLIsH


Ida's husband, had been with them.
Their classmate, Agnes, had brought
her violin, and Elsie and Edna had
tried some of their old piano duets.
Elsie slipped into the guest room
and perched on the bed. She was as
pink and plump as child, and very
sweet in her new matronly dignity.
"Oh, Edna! It's lovely to have you
here"
'It's lovely to be here, Elsie. Your
home is exquisite, and you and Ernest
seem perfectly happy"
1--WE are just that"
sand with Ida settled so near you |
They seem happy, too"
Elsie took off her slipper and con-
sidered crack in the toe. II guess
they're happy, but if were Ida, I
should be perfectly miserable"
"Why, Elsie?"
EDNA, did you see George looking
at Agnes when she was playing? He
looked as if she was something won
derful."
but her playing is wonderful, FL
sic, and Agnes is too, rather"
Il know, she isn't exactly beautiful,
but she has what people call charm.
And, Edna, think that Agnes likes
being wonderful and that she likes
George to know it."
But, Elsie, l don't think Ida is SEN
sitive, and isn't George loyal to her?'
"Oh, yes % Elsie returned, with an
impatient upward tilt of her chin.
George is loyal; but think what a
career Ida has sacrificed for him, and
how she just breathes for him. And
then to see him looking at Agnes with
that adoring gaze, and to know it is
only loyalty and duty that holds him
to Ida! Edna, if / should ever see
Ernest looking at anybody with such
an expression as George had tonight,
it would break my heart. You saw him
look at herr"
perhaps I did once" Edna admit
ted.
"You went to the opera, Edna, when
you were staying with the Vintons.
Tell us about it,"
Edna leaned back luxuriously, and
talked as only Edna could talk. Edna
could not see Ernest from where she
sat, but raising her eyes to the mirror
above the mantel, she saw his refiec-
ton.
Elsie came into Edna's room again.
She was pale and little sad, but very
sweet and gentle.
"You were wonderful tonight, DEAR"
she said, wistfully, as she kissed Edna.
"You don't try to be, but you are"
For a long time Edna sat staring at
little opal brooch she had unfastened
from her collar.
Ernest didn't mean anything"
She turned the brooch and absently
watched the play of colors in the lamp
light.
who would guess how lovely an
opal can be when the light strikes it?"
Then a new thought flashed in her
eyes.
where is that hideous purple
gown?"
She stood up before the mirror and
held up the despised gown.
"It's fearfully unbecoming. 1 don't
like to make fright of myself, but
for Elsie's sake-w
In the morning Edna experimental
with her hair.
Elsie met her in the hall. "Why,
Edna! You don't look like yourself
with your hair all over your ears and
down to your eyes. 1t doesn't suit you,
dear"
But it's the latest style The Nor
timer girls have adopted it."
"Oh, those Mortimer girls!" Elsie
echoed with scorn. "But what is this
gown? l haven't seen it before"
you'll see it again." laughed Edna.
"I'm going to give it an airing"
At breakfast, Edna talked persistent
ly of Mrs. Faxon, rather over
dressed member of the Amethyst club.
dwelling on every detail of her cos
tune. Ernest retired behind his news
paper.
"Your friend seems shallow and
commonplace on closer acquaintance"
he confided to Elsie, afterward.
"But she isn't shallow or common
place." Elsie insisted, Loyalty. "It's just
that you don't see the best side Of
her,
Perhaps" he answered, Indifferent
ly.
The day came for Edna's departure
''It's lonesome to see you packing"
mourned Elsie. 81 wish you hadn't
promised the Pearsons. But you'll be
the niftiest thing on the train in that
hat and suit. And, Edna, do put up
your hair the old way. I've just heard
that my cousin, Gordon Fletcher, Is
staying at the very next house to the
Pearsons. He is lion, and / want
you to look your best. And, Edna, that
purple thing you've been wearing so
much-it's handsome. But it doesn't
suit you. Do put it aside-and that
Russian blouse with the broad stripes.
You're so beautiful at your best. Oh.
Ednal Must you really go today?"
Il must, Elsie, dear. The Pearsons
are meeting me-"
swell, it's been like bit of heaven
having you here. love to entertain,
but your visit has been the dearest Of
all. You are always so unselfish, Ed
ma
1--WE had wonderful time, Elsie. It
has been constant delight to see you
and Ernest so happy together"
1--WE are happy" Elsie answered
with little sigh of content. And
don't think anybody will ever come
between us. It's just as you said, Ed