The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-10-26
THE POTTER
BY JANE JORDAN
Usu.. I. !. I. |. -. . - I. I. /.
20, 1928, Western Newspaper Union.)

MI RS. CALICOT leaned back in her
AsA chair and sighed.
1T Is most disappointing" she told
her friend. II must confess, when ]
invited Rowena to pay me a visit I
had Rupert in mind. He is such a
dear, worthy brother. So planned to
bring two desolate hearts together?
"'Why, Aunt Cora she said-I had
begged her to call me aunt don't
believe your brother has ever had a
| girl in his life He Is so terribly
grateful for a little Kindness OF
course l was angry at Rowenas OBJ
tuseness and lack of fine appreciation"
Mrs. Mills laughed. Forgive me,
Cora she begged. "You must feel
badly indeed when you drop into the
sentimental. I'm going to advise you,
by proxy, If you still desire this silly
young person for a sister-in-law. I
have little friend stopping here who
Is well versed in the ways of love,
and, alas, in its management. Prudie-
Prudie-Peach, my boys wickedly call
her. has captured from other of my IL
dignant young friends their supposedly
assured suitors. She is engaged her
self to a man in Boston"
Prudence Wharton was called in
consultation. Prudence came. Ru-
pert's sister, seeing her, drew a breath
Of admiration. Prudie was like fresh
sweet pinks in an old-fashioned gar
den; impish, yet kindly little soul. She
spread her silk accordion skirt and
listened to the confidence. Then she
nodded her small head with its quaint,
high couture.
81 know just how Rowena feels"
she said. "We all like to think there
has been competition, else how can
we be sure that we may retain that
which we have won? Don't you see?
vanquish."
The elder ladies looked their indie
cision. Prudie went on:
II recall having met Mr.. Rupert
Flemming at a reception. He was in
attendance upon a really lovely girl
your Rowena, no doubt She seemed,
now recollect, languidly aware Of his
preference. Mr.. Flemming had eyes
for no one else. know, for l tried
to charm him for a half hour in the
library; heard of his fame as a deep
writer. He followed Miss Webster
about as one hypnotized. And she
fiirted, to torment him, because Of his
dog-like devotion; yes, she did," Prudie
laughed back at her listeners.
Suddenly a pucker knitted her
brows. do you suppose" she asked
Rupert's sister. that your brother is
calling this afternoon on Miss Row.
ena?"
"He will be at our home for dinner
this evening"" Rowena's hostess re-
piled.
"All right and good" the reader of
human hearts answered. "You will
excuse me now. please" She flashed
a placating smile and vanished.
Leave the problem to Prudie,"
Mrs. Mills advised.
Dinner was about to be served in
the CaIicot home that evening when
Mr.. Rupert Flemming was called to
the telephone. Miss Rowena handed
the receiver over to her lover. She
had first been asked for. and pleas
ing feminine voice had explained to
her announcing Miss Webster speak
ing Thank you, l wanted to locate
Mr.. Flemming through you"
Therefore, it may have been absent
ly or it may have been purposely that
Rowena waited in the neighborhood Of
the telephone. Rupert took up the
receiver briskly and the vibrant girl
ish voice that called him reached
Rowena as distinctly as though she
also were receiving the message:
"This is Miss Wharton-Prudie
Wharton. You remember meeting me
at the Merton reception, Mr.. Flem-
ming? You could give me so little
time because Miss Webster happened
to be with you. And / wanted so to
know about your wonderful book-and
we. have mutual acquaintance in
Boston who will insist on hearing all
about you at first hand. So won't you
promise me a call very soon? l am
guest at Mrs Mills this time. Auntie
Sue is in New York. I usually visit
there. Can you come here tomorrow
afternoon for tea? Mrs. Mills will
send her car. She does not like her
guests to be disappointed when they
have set their hearts upon a thing.
You will come, Mr.. Flemming?"
Rupert stood, frantically trying to
recall Miss Wharton, who remembered
him so well-who was so astonishingly
anxious to see him. Trying to think
"who in thunder" the mutual friend
in Boston might be, he answered
lamely: "Just a moment please, Miss
Webster Is here" That sounded
strange, and he hastily added: Il
have several engagements with Miss
Webster; she will know If | am free
tomorrow afternoon" He turned con-
fusedly to the woman he loved. His
glance was coldly received.
$50, if you want to-" said Rowena,
in an unnatural tone.
Rupert was hopelessly troubled.
Women were queer. Here was Row.
ena, all coIdness in moment; here
was Rowena, her usually calm eyes
Ieep with reproach.
"Do you want me to go?" he stam-
mered.
eff you'd rather be with that girl
than me, Rupert" she said.
His arms went around her. Surren-
dering. Rowena's head dropped on his
breast.
Prudie. at the other end of the wire.
turned from the silent messenger.