The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-12-21

and Peter lost something OF their hOr-
rid self-consciousness, in suspecting
them.
They drove up to the hotel in the
! bus that had met the train, In the
company of two other blushing cou-
pies. "If you look at them long
enough" Ann whispered to Peter,
you can make them think we are old
married people!"
But Peter whispered back, SIN
glad we're not Aren't your"
Early the next morning, after a gay
and sparkling breakfast, they contin
ued their journey. Ann had lever
seen Niagara Falls, and when Peter
voiced her secret desire to visit this
paradise of honeymooners, and sug-
gested they break their journey there,
she acquiesced with shining eyes.
The hotel seemed most magnificent,
as they approached it over the curv-
| ing drive that led to it's high front
steps.
Peter delayed for some time at the
desk, talking prices with a supercili-
Gus clerk. Their room, when they
| finally reached 1t, was very small
Ann had never lodged so humbly be-
fore-but its window opened on gar
den in the rear Of the hotel, and there
was, after all. place for the bags.
1t was the. first time that the bride
and groom had been left alone. They
stood rooted to the violently lowered
carpet. More than anything else, after
her dusty journey, Ann had wanted to
wash, but in her suspense as to what
Peter would now do, she forgot all
about it. She forgot all about every
thing except Peter, and she looked at
him slyly, under her lashes. He stood
quite still for moment, stocky and
| rather lowering, because Of his self
consciousness. Feeling AIMS eyes on
him he threw her an deliberately casu.
al gfance, and crossed the room to the
window, which he lifted, with great
pains and care, exactly two inches.
Ann smiled, suddenly mistress of the
situation, now that she knew Peter
was as nervous as she.
You'll want to freshen up" he sug-
gested with specious ease, land rest
bit, before supper. I'll go out and
take a look around. You can get a
good Sleep"
Ann flashed a radiant look at him.
Il am tired" she admitted.
well. then-goodby." Peter made
toward the door, and paused. AIMS
heart missed beat, as he came slowly
toward her. Don't forget me-" he
said, and took her in his arms, gently
enough, but closely. AIMS startled
eyes fell before the ardent look in his,
and he kissed her lids. laughing softly
as he did so. They stood for an in
slant, smiling vaguely, and then Peters
grasp frightened, and for the first time
| he sought her lips. She abandoned
herself to his kiss, clinging weakly
to him, without definite thought; she
was in a whirl of emotion. 1t seemed
| long time before Peter drew back
I'm off," he said thickly, and was
gone without another look.
Ann bathed, and lay down on the
| bed; she thought that she could not
sleep. ?. Peter. How
strange that she should have married
him. Peter. He was
not handsome. but he had a look Of
strength. He had sudden
smile, too. Peter. She
awoke in a panic lest he should have
returned.
She put on a brown silk dress
that she had brought in her bag. 1t
went very well with her red hair, she
decided, as she fastened the crisp
white collar with cameo brooch Mr..
Cortlandt had given her on her
eighteenth birthday. She was smart
and appealing figure, as she descended
| the wide stairway that led to the of
| fee; when Peter saw her a light leapt
into his eyes.
They went in to supper at once, half
starved after their journey, and a
luncheon snatched while the train wait
ed at a station eating-house They
laughed often, as they ate, and their
eyes were very bright and shining.
After supper they walked over to
the Falls. 1t was rather dark on the
path, and Peter, held her hand very
tight, but when they came out on the
| platform beside the Falls the air was
all filmy whiteness, reflected from
the foam. Very near them, only a few
yards away, Niagara tumbled head
long.
Ann looked at 1t with terror; she
wondered what would happen to her
if she were flung on that resistless tor.
rent. As though he had read her
thought, Peter slipped his arm through
hers.
Don't go too near" he cautioned
quietly.
Ann abandoned herself to that safe
clasp. Peter. Good old
Peter. She smiled at him
mistily in the wan light of the foam.
They stood there for some time,
linked by the clasp of Peters hand;
they told each other that they felt
very small and unimportant, but they
each knew better. Niagara rolled on
majestically before them, but they, too,
had something majestic in their lives.
After a while they did not
speak at all; they only stood and lis
tened. and felt the world tremble;
they, too, trembled, sensitively.
Then, after silence, Ann had feel.
ing that Peter wanted her to suggest
going back to the hotel; therefore she
did so, although she felt herself
flushing, in the night. On the dark
paths he was distant with her; he
was very gentle very reassuring, and
back in the blazing hotel office, he
smiled at her, the sudden quick smile
that she liked. He sent her upstairs
alone. murmuring that he would follow