The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-06-27
CHAPTER VI-Continued.

Well, there was more talk, and
the upshOt was that I got out, accom-
panied by an assurance from my IA
Their that I never would be burdened
with any of the family ducats. Roy
succeeded to the worries of wealth
and l came to the ranges, where |
have been able to make a living, and
have, incidentally, been profoundly
happy. I'll take a wager that today
look ten years younger than Roy, that
I can lick him with one hand, that
I have more real friends than he has,
and that I'm getting more out of life
than he is. I'm a man of whims.
When they beckon I follow"
Grant paused, feeling that his en-
thusiasm had carried him into rather
fuller condolences than he had intend
ed.
I'm sorry 1 bored you with that
harangue," he said contritely. you
couldn't possibly be interested in It,"
ION the contrary, 1 am very much
interested in it," she protested. TT
seems so much finer for a man to make
by some one else. am sure you are
already doing well in the West. Some
day you will go back to your father
with more money than he has"
Grant uttered an amused little
laugh. There's no sign of it yet"
he said. "a ranch hand, even a fore
man, doesn't need any adding machine
to count his wages. Besides, am get
ting other things that are more worth
having"
What other thipgs?
why, this life-its freedom, its con-
fdence. And health! When ones
soul is a-tingle what does all the rest
matter?"
But you need money, too" she
added, thoughtfully. Money is pow
er; II is a mark Of success. 1t would
open up a wider life for you. 1t
would bring you into new circles. Some
day you will want to marry and set
tie down, and money would enable you
TO meet the kind of women"
She stopped, confused. She had
plunged farther than she had in
tended.
You're all wrong" he said amused
ly. 1t did not even occur TO Zen that
he was contradicting her. She had
not been accustomed to being contra
dicted, but then, neither had she been
accustomed to men like Dennfson
Grant, nor to conversations such as
had developed. She was too inter
ested 10 be annoyed.
You're all wrong, Miss-?"
II don't wonder that you can't fill
in my name" she said. Nobody
knows Dad except as Y.D. But I
heard you call me Zen"
THAT was when you were coming
out of your Inconsistencies. 1 apollo
gize for the liberty taken. l thought
it might recall you"
We'll, I'm still coming out" she
interrupted. Il am beginning to feel
that 1 have been unconscious for
very long time indeed"
Grant was aware of pleasant glow
excited by her frank interest. She
was altogether a desirable girl.
Il have Observed he said. "tnat
poor people worry over what they
haven't got, and rich people worry
over what they have. 1t is my dispo-
sition not TO worry over anything. AS
for opening up wider life. what wider
life could there be than this which
(which you and I-are IivingT"
She wondered why he had said won
and l." Evidently he was wondering
too, for he fell into reelection. She
changed her position TO ease the dull
pain in her ankle. which his talk had
almost driven from her mind. The
rock had a perpendicular edge, so
she let her feet hang over, resting the
injured one upon the other He was
sitting in similar position. The ST.
lence of the night had gathered about
them. broken occasionally by the van
ping of coyotes far down the valley
Segments of dull light fringed the
horizon; the breeze was again blow
ing from 'he west. mild and balmy.