The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-12-28

Peter took her to Union mass meet.
ings. They stood swaying back and
forth with the crowd in the Court
House square on the night that George
Roots Battle Cry Of Freedom" was
sung for the first time. Every one
joined In the chorus, and Ann put all
the fervor of her nature into it, but
| except for fiery moments like this. the
war seemed to her remote. 1t was
dwarfed by her personal experience.
In November she heard from Fanny.
Dear Ann:
81 write this letter to you with great
apprehension, for my mother has
strictly forbidden further intercourse
between US, and you know mama, Ann.
am just scared to death, but 1 cannot
get married without telling you about 1t.
Il ana to wed my cousin Hendricks
on the twentieth day of December,
when he is to have leave Of absence
from the Army Of the Potomac. for
whole fortnight
II am to be wed In your white satin
dress, which you left behind you. Your
other fine clothes my uncle, who Is
now returned from Europe. directs
shall be sent you, even the black vel
vet. which surely Is more suited to
New York matron than to the wife
of Chicago mechanic.
"How could you so misbehave your
self, Ann, when my uncle had even
made your wedding settlements, and
that good young count so adored you
My mother says blood will tell, and
l suppose she is right, but 1 hope you
are happy, even with Peter.
"With love,
FANNY"
Until she knew her guardian had re-
turned and had made no effort to COM
municate with her, Ann was not aware
of how confidently she had counted
on his doing so. Even the fact that
Mr.. Cortlandt's silence shut her of
with her husband, was an inadequate
consolation. She could not rouse her
self to any interest in Fanny's mar
riage, although she was indignant al
|
'They still do not think you are
good enough for me-" she told him
''It's laughable."
Things had been going better will
Peter Of late. Ann was enormously
proud Of him. every day that passed
buried deeper that remote time when
she had been his superior.
He took Fanny's letter and slowly
read 1t. tits natural enough, I sup
pose" he said, "but things will 60
hard with me If / don't make more
of success Of my life than your Cap
tain Renneslyer does Of his" He
glanced over the note again, briefly
Then he said, "That velvet dress, An
ME, why don't you send 1t back to her
for wedding PRESENT."
1t was only the next day she looked
out Of her front window to see sta.
ton hack come laboring down the
street. Ann was sorry for the labor
ing horses, but her interest was imper.
sonal until, Unexpectedly, they stopped
before her gate, and a sudden premo-
|
the door handle inside the lowered
| glass had a familiar look, and she
| could see the sharp lines Of silk hat
in the dusk Of the interior. She rushed
to the front door and flung it wide
and there was her guardian in her
open gate. He paused at the bottom
of the short flight Of steps, looking
up at her, too agitated to move. The
sun was in his eyes; AIMS red hail
was like a nimbus about the pear
white Of her face. In the instant that
they stood gazing at each other, theil
old companionship was re-established
without a word She aroused herself
and ran down to him; she flung hel
arms around him and kissed him; she
found that she was In tears, but Il
made no difference.
Mr.. Cortlandt said, my dear, to SET
you again y
She thought how old he looked, ant
broken. She tried to help him up hel
steep steps, and once inside the house
she told him how sorry she was thai
she should have disappointed him.
Mr.. Cortlandt brushed all this away
with a brusque gesture. "Never MIND
that, Ann" he said "Are you hap
py? That Is what I came to Chicago
to find out"
Ann chung tightly to his hand. "Nov
that 1 have you again, am" she as
sured him. 81 can't tell you abou
Peter; you will have to see for your
self. He is just right for me, uncle
Those others-somehow they were al
wrong"
"You are in love with him, Them"
AIMS wide eyes laughed. "Yes,
she said, Il should say l am. 1 an
awfully in love with him. OF cours
I know he is only a workman, blu
there are plenty of men out here. un
Gle, who began like that, and nov
they are getting on their feet"
"You can bring him back to New
York, Ann. 1 don't believe can liv
without you, and can easily get hin
something to do"
The radiant Joy was swept iron
AIMS face. "It's dreadful not to g
to you when you want me-" she sal
soberly, but Peter would never cor
sent, uncle. He has his own life on
J here, and it is my life too You mus
understand about Peter. He loves hi
work more than anything In the world
except me. Sometimes / am afraid b
loves it more than me. even, but ar
proud Of him for 1t, uncle. Even t
be near you, wouldn't have him leav
it."
The look Of Encouragement an
) fatigue cleared from Mr.. Cortlandt'
face. "That is as 1t should be, m