The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-12-07
CHAPTER XIV
Hendricks and Peter.

Ann closed the guest-room door be-
hind her with a careful hand, for al
most Immediately after his recognition
of her. her patient had dropped into
profound sleep. She knew him, too.
new, and chuckled to herself at the
extraordinary turns her life took. She
faced on the threshold, transfguerd
Fanny The gentle creatures eyes
blazed; her lips were dead white.
"Ann," she demanded, "when did you
kiss that man-and you engaged TO
Hendricks?"
at is all over between Hendricks
and me, Fanny. have written to tell
him So"
"Oh," cried Fanny, indignation en-
quilting every other sensation. You
have Tilted him Tilted Hendricks
while he is at the frontv'
Ann nodded soberly. "Yes," she
said, "and a good thing for him, too.
I would have made him miserable, III
we had married. l am every
thing he doesn't approve of. You know
that, Fanny Even If had gone on
pretending all my life, he wouldn't
have been satisfied Hendricks should
marry some one entirely different from
me-some one softer, gentler-some
one who wouldn't shock him-or de-
mand things he hasn't of him-some
one very yielding and sweet-some one
like-like you, Fanny" Suddenly she
took in the others tremulous confus-
ion: her eyes widened as they dwelt
on the other girls crimsoning face.
Fanny Cortlandt," she cried, 'you are
I, love with him yourself!"
Tanny's little hands crept up over
fPA telltale cheeks. All her pitiful
canses were stormed. 81 couldn't
s it, Ann" she murmured miser-
(Rss
Ann looked at her in wonder; an
unwilling admiration for her friends
steadfastness was borne in upon her.
''In love like that" she marveled, "and
with Hendricks!"
Fanny f1ared at once. "You mustn't
speak of him in that way! He is too
good for you! It's he who should
have Tilted you, Ann Byrne!"
Ann nodded humbly. 81 wish he
had" she said, and sighed. ut would
have been so much simpler"
do you love any one else?"
Quite unbidden AIMS mind leaped
TO Avezzana; for an instant she had
a clear vision of his slim figure, and
his disquieting gaze. II don't know, y
she said, confused
Fanny ,jerked her head toward the
door. THAT private? That man in
thereF'
Ann laughed "Peter?"
Us that his name?"
at is all I know Of his name.
used to go to school with him in Mil
ton Center, but I haven't seen hin
since" She disposed of him thus light
ly.
HE saved your life." Fanny inter
posed sternly.
81 know. He was awfully brave
But almost all men are brave, Fanny
War makes you realize that"
Fanny nodded; 1t was impossible,
for her to remain disappearing He
shining eyes betrayed her sudden Joy
BUSINESS, and Ann laughed as she fun;
her long arms about her and kisse,
her. They each drew back from thi
unaccustomed caress, embarrassed, al
at once, by the complete frankness o
their understanding.
Suddenly bell pealed through TIL
house and Ann ran to lean over tn
stair rail- II think Joseph is afrai
to CO." she called back to Fanny. TIL
bell rang again, a quick impatien
jangle, and she gathered her floating
skirts about her. "See If it wake,
him." she said, nodding over her shoul
der at the wounded mans room, an,
as Fanny started to obey her, sh
ran down to open the door.
She could see, outlined against tn
clouded glass pane, a shape that wa
somehow familiar. There was some
thing about it that made her vaguel
uneasy-perhaps it was the set of tn
military cap which disturbed her-bu
she was in no way prepared for tn
revelation she had when she opene
the door. Hendricks I" she gaspet
clinging weakly to the big silver knoll
nd Hendricks 1t was, big, impressive
4 quite evidently indignant.
Well, Amp" he doomed at he
artled at her sudden appearance.
wonder that you can look me in tn
face
"Hendricks-here in New York
Come in; we shall all be so glad I
see you'll" She was talking nervous
ly, and pulling him toward the librar
She wanted to settle with him befol
Fanny knew that he was there, fl
she guessed that a scene was inevi
able.
you've had my note" she said.
Eyes! That's why I'm here. takir
leave at a time like this !"
stormed. "Annr he looked at he
shrinking, guilty and sorry, andN h
wrath melted. "Say, you didn't mes
it, Ann" he pleaded.
st wish I could, Hendricks! o
my dear, l wish 1 could. but / a
through with pretending! I don't lo'
you, Hendricks. 1 wish / did, but
don't. / hate myself, but that doesr
make me love you"
Suddenly all Hendricks stalwa
masculine impressiveness broke up
fore the girls startled gaze. He lOokt
at her with eyes which were qui
obviously filling with tears, and
he swung sharply away, great s,
Mortified her. She clenched her han,
tight to keep from comforting hi,
as he stood with his head down on h
arm, at the empty fireplace. II a
sorry" she kept repeating futilely. "I'
so sorry"