The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-10-19

1T is all right" he said lamely. 81
couldn't help it. . l am awfully
gone IN you. Ann" he added, feeling
that the situation demanded some
thing in the nature of a declaration.
Really" she queried. Because Ii
you are-it's all right ]"
"Then / am" he assured her.
"And-and we are engaged?' she
demanded, her eyes very wide and In
nocent, as they searched his.
"Why-why-" He was wondering
if this had been what his mother had
meant.
do you want to be engaged to
me?"
II don't know. / guess So"
He wanted to talk with his mother.
He was sure that she must approve of
what be was doing. "Well, then," he
said condescendingly, 1--WE will be-"
at doesn't right-so quick like
this" Ann protested. 81 thought 1t
took a long time to get engaged"
"Oh." treasured the boy, sit is al
ways quick, when a woman likes a
fellow" He staggered pa%rdonably.
"We had better not tell any one
until 1 get back"
"a secret engagement! /. /
should like to tell Fanny, though"
Better not" he limited darkly.
"Why?"
well, I don't want to seem con-
ceited, but l do think she likes me
quite a lot"
"Oh." exclaimed Ann, "that is ro-
mantle, too" And in her voice there
was envy of Fanny, and her unrequit'
ed passion.
Hendricks Renneslyer walked home
with his head in a whirl. He had left
college, and was going to war, he was
disinherited, and he had engaged him.
self to be married. He felt that he
had put in a full mornings work, look
at it as he would.
Mr.. Cortlandt was standing at the
window of his library, looking out into
the family misted green of Washing
ton square. His upright figure was
dropping; he looked old and discour-
aged.
what is it?" Ann cried from the
threshold. HAS there been a defeat?'
Her guardian turned, a steady
melancholy in his deep eyes. "No." he
said sjt iS NOT that TS this
tru@what my sister tells me?"
"What?"
"That you are e~ngaged-and to
young Hendricks"
"Yes, uncle" She crossed the room
to him with tagging feet. II hated
be engaged TO him."
Engaged? So soon! And young
Hendricks! Why?"
"Well-he thinks I am-rather
nice"
Good lord, of course you are rather
nice! Is that all?"
Ann slid her hand into his. NO.
she confessed ~confusedly. IF you
won't laugh, I'll tell YOU" She put hel
fresh lips very rear his cheek, and
murmured, "He thinks 1 am-pretty
He really does"
Mr.. Cortlandt took her by her slen'
der shoulders, and looked into hel
shamed eyes. ut is my fault" he sale
heavily.
"What is your fault?"
"You are In love with him for that
Pretty? /. 1 have brought yot
up wrong, Ann. Instead of trying t
keep you unspoiled, l should have tolt
you each morning that you are a beau
tiful creature! 1 should have pro
tected you in that way"
do you mean it, uncle? Am
~really-like thatf"
my dear, you really are!"
She smiled at him radiantly. snow
imagine!" she said quantity. "And
have been so afraid that Hendrick.
would wake up!"
do you love him?"
81 think so, uncle. . He say:
l do"
II Hdy Dc YEARS DcIoIc He Cdu dl
ford to marry. He must make his owl
way"
There's no hurry" Ann said hastily
and then added sweetly: aren't 20,
a little glad to have me marry int
your family?"
| Mr.. Cortlandt looked deep into hel
lifted eyes. my dear child" he sail
~unbelievably, my family isn't goot
enough for you" And he kissed hel
smooth cheek, and sighed.