The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1922-05-19
HOOP AND CANDLE
BY BERTHA F. SEYMOUR

When willie" Chalmers opened the
door to BILLY" Chase's timid ring,
Billy's frown darkened his eyes, which
would not perceive Willie's smile of
real welcome. The hand which opened
the door was ornamented with a silver
thimble, and from the left dangled a
sofa pillow top, on hoops, the same
which had taken so much of her at
tention on the occasion of his last call.
Her smile, now mischievOus, broad
ened, and he helplessly returned it.
"Why so cross? You didn't have to
come If you felt like that about it."
She took his hat and led him into the
parlor.
eff you liked to have me come hun
you wouldn't meet me with that old
fancywork, or (hopefully) you'd put
it up as soon as | got here"
isaiah finds some mischief still for
idle hands to do" quoted Willie.
Think how much prettier to look at
than a gray stocking, for instance.
Mamma says she always had her knit
ting work in her hands when she was
out to her neighbors or when the other
boys and girls were at her house. You
see, l come naturally by my industry
"Yes, and wickedness," groaned
Billy. But have prayed, Lord keep
me from being conceited, like that in
siderable Maynard Mann, for in
He stopped and glared less at the
thought of Maynard than his own
guardlessness did you read a book
the whole evening the last time he
called?"
"Why. yes" said Willie, in feigned
innocence.
81 told him 1 was engaged for the
evening when he telephOned he wanted
to call. 1t was not true, but l didn't
want him to call I'm sick of him he
brags so. He strolled by, found
wasn't entertaining. happened in, and
found me engaged with book. But
not the whole evening. Mamma came
in to inquire for Maynards mother,
and she was Mortified. She said, will
helmina, If your book Is so absorbing,
hadn't you better take it to your room?
l said Yes in u faraway tone and &C
tually stumbled over a hassOck, ob my
way to the hall to carry out the alb
sorption idea. Nobody but my brother
would have been mean enough to tell
you or-or-anyone else" hastily.
81 like the candle in the window"
He drew near, but more quickly with
drew as the needle, reversed, came in
to dangerous proximity. please put
your fancywork away, and FL try not
to put my arms around YOU"
you'd better and succeed. But you
just imagine this is stocking and I'm
armed with four knitting needless not
so sharp, but dangerous to the eyes,
"Pd pull them out" savagely.
(which would be very ungentleman'
ly. I'd get book and get sent to my
room for being unladylike."
He groaned. Then, I'm remember
ing my candle, anyway. That brother
of yours, than whom no other mortal
is so mean, told me no one else is &C
corded that favor. / love your broth
err"
At last the embroidery was dropped
unheeded, and only great seriousness
was visible in her eyes. please" he
pleaded, please"
"Mr. Chase" At that he sat bolt
upright, white to the lips. I'm not
going to send you away" In quick
sympathy, yet. But I've seen SO
many mistakes. / mean to be sure
The man who marries me will have
to prove himself the only sort 1 would
love-"
"How?' he breathed, eagerly, lean
ing forward.
II shall not tell you. He must really
be that sort, not pretend to be, as he
might If he knew what liked In any
body"
He sighed. "Haye 1 ever offended
your" he questioned, half fearfully.
"Not seriously" She smiled and
blushed both, and both in spite of
herself. THAT torment has just come
in" She clenched her fists, but he,
unprevented by the embroidery needle,
covered them both with his hands.
Don't worry" she said grimly. 81
have come off second best too many
times"
There goes the up car, and you
won't tell me how to win you, must
go. Goodnight"
AS he hurried into the street from
the house walk, he noticed woman's
figure, weary and burdened with a
unwieldy bundle on the other. The
next instant he had seized both the
bundle and the protesting baby, and
was hurrying the woman toward the
little waiting room quarter of mile
distant, feeling that the delay would
be just sufficient to make him lose
his car.
He was right. The next hour he
spent in the little station.
At last the next ear came. But he
would miss his light in the window.
OF that he was sure But he could not
forbear a glance in that direction, as
the car reached the gap between
houses, through which he could sec
willie's parlor window. And framed
by the lace draperies he saw two can
dies and, joining them, a wooden hoop.
How IL Happened.