The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1922-12-01

In the big stone house at the turn OF
the road, Laurel at once began to
weave romantic tales about him, and
make various errands to pass the gar
den wall that enclosed Linden"
1t was really like the old-fashioned
stories her mother handed down to
Laurel to read. The name of Lin
den," on the iron gate-post, and the
handsome owner of the place, who was
also unmarried.
She had gazed raptly at his blue
shining car as it passed her mothers
cottage upon the day of his arrival.
I'm the old days." her mother re-
marked, Cliff Darlington would have
been called squire"
"Oliff Carrington!'' sighed Laurel
admiringly, what a lovely name!"
Il hear" her mother went on, that
this Clifton Carrington's son studied
law with little success, and also for
time took up medicine. Having too
much money has either taken away his
ambition or he is like his mother be-
fore him, dreamer. Caroline Caring
ton was a lovely girl, but she inherited
from her father, the judge, an abb
sorbing passion for books
Laurel saw the master of Linden
House several days after this CONVEX
sation. He was not at all sisappoint-
ing. He turned to look pleasantly af-
ter the wistful-eyed girl standing mo-
tionless before his gateway. Thinking
that she had some errand, he came
back to question, You wished to see
me, perhaps? l am Mr.. Darlington"
MY mother" she said quickly, was
a friend of your mother. And she told
me much about you. was inter-
ested"
Yes? You are"
"I am Laurel Wentworth" the girl
replied, "and mother would be glad to
see you"
Wentworth? I seem to recall the
name Already the matter-of-fact
young inheritor of an old country
house had, in Laurel's eyes, become
the fairy prince of childish history.
II am going through town." he told
her. would you like to ride with
me as far as your homer"
Would she like to ride! As Gin
derella might have stepped into the
princes carriage, Laurel assembled the
steps of the blue motor car. Her
mother, when she came to open the
door for her, was as delighted as she,
with her chance companion.
''You must come and take dinner
with us some evening"" she invited. Il
remember you when you were very
little boy and tue dear old house-many
party attended there in my girl
hood many an afternoon l spent with
Caroline in her beloved library"
'My daughter" she explained to
Caroline Carrington's son, is as great
a book-lover as your mother. She has
read my few offerings over and over"
The prince of Linden Tower" or so
1t seemed to the happy girl, looked
down upon her with kindly smile.
"Why, is that so?" he asked. Then
I may be able to give her little pleas
ure. shall be much away from home.
In fact next week I go to New York.
Mrs. Lafey has agreed to stay as my
housekeeper. / shall give her instruc-
lions to make Miss Laurel welcome.
The library will be quite at your dis
posal."
1t was very wonderful, Laurel
could scarcely sleep that night for
thinking of her joy. Linden House"
was now her castle-the handsome
owner, her hero. The old library was
all that mother had pictured. To take
the chill from the early fall air fire
was kindled on the hearth. Laurel
before the CHEEKY fire-her
hero would come back to find her
there. That would be the beginning of
their romance. 1t would be pleasant
afterward to ride about with him in
the blue car, and to go to New York
as Cliff Carrington's wife.
Her dreamings were interrupted by
the sound of music. Some one was
banging rudely the grand piano in the
old drawing room. Laurel listened for
a moment, frowningly. She made her
way to the long, low room. She stood
Glen Willis was pounding
the piano-Glen Willis, whom she had
seen, yet never known. He lived in an
old stone house, too, and had been
away at college, when she was no
more than little girl. Some said he
had great musical promise, but in
valided parents had for years kept
him prisoner in his own home town.
She had often heard her mother speak
Of his devotion
But there is no virtue in it." mother
would end, "for he had TO stay"
Tentatively, her rebellious spirit
Laurel came nearer the
piano. 1t was Wagner that he was
playing. Now the music dropped from
its martial air to magic sweetness.
everything but this strange
haunting melody, Laurel bent over the
slayer; tears were in her eyes.
please" she begged "again that
oart-it is so beautiful"
moment he paused. Then before |
ne obeyed he spoke.
Il think, he said, and smiled, shat |
have been waiting for just such I'M
Outstanding sympathy all my life"
1t was the owner of Linden House.
Who told the story of LaureIs romance.
Il have always been" he said. "a !
'ort of cupid. bringing about matches |
Ill unaware"
You old fraud" mis- listener replied. /
You know you've long been trying tG
ind the right woman for that beloved |
..'if-sacriticing friend of yours" I