The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-07-18
CHAPTER TX

Under scratched his tousled brown
hair refiectively as he gazed after the
retreating form of Transley. His hat
was off, and the perspiration stood on
his sunburned face-a face which, in
point of handsomeness, needed make
no apology to Transley.
well, by thunderl" said Under;
by thunder, think of that!"
Linder stood for some time, thinking
'of that as deeply as his somewhat
disorganized mental state would per-
nit. For Transley had announced.
with his usual directness, that he
wanted so many men and teams for a
house excavation in the most ex-
elusive part of the city. So far they
had been building In the cheaper dis
tricts cheap type of house for those
who, having little capital, are the
easier deprived of what they have.
The shift In operations caused Under
to lift his eyebrows.
Transley laughed boyishly and
clapped a palm on his shoulder.
Il may as well make you wise,
Under" he said. Were going to
build house for Mr.. and Mrs. Trans
ley"
MISUSE? Under echoed, incred-
ulously.
That's the good word" Transley
confirmed. Never expected 1t to hap
pen to me, but 1t did, all of sudden.
You want to look out; maybe It's
catching"
Transley was evidently In prime
humor Under had, indeed, noted this
good humor for some time, but had
attributed 1t TO the very successful
operations In which his employer had
been engaged. He pulled himself to-
gether enough to offer a somewhat
confused congratulation.
"And may 1 ask who is to be the
fortunate young LADY," he ventured.
"You may" said Transley, "but If
you could see the length of your nose
it wouldn't be necessary. Under,
you're the best foreman / ever had,
just because you don't ever think of
anything else. When you pass on
there'll be no heaven for you unless
they give you charge of a bunch of
men and teams where you can raise
sweat and make money for the boss.
If you weren't like that you would
have anticipated what I've told you
or perhaps made a play for Zen your
self"
"Zen? You don't mean Y.D.'s daugh-
teri"
IF l don't mean Y.D.'s daughter /
don't mean anybody, and you can take
that from me. You bet it's Zen. Say,
Under, didn't think 1 could go silly
over a girl, but I'm plumb locoed.
bought the biggest old sparkler in this
town and sent 1t out with YD., II he
didn't lose it through the lining of his
vest-he handled it like 1t might have
been box of pills-bad pills, Under
I've got an architect figuring how
much expense he can put on house
he gets commission on the cost, you
see-and one of these nights I'm going
to buy you dinner that'll keep you
fed till Christmas. / never knew be-
fore that Stiffness and happiness go
together, but they do. I'm glad I've
got sober old foreman-that's all
that keeps the business going"
And after Transley had turned away
Under had scratched his head and
said, "By thunder Under,
when you wake up you'll be dead.
-. After her practically saying,
The waters fine Well, that's
why I'm foreman, and always will
be-"
But after little reflection Under
came to the conclusion that perhaps 1t
was all for the best. He could not
have bought Y.D.'s daughter a big
sparkler or have built her fine home
because he was foreman. 1t was
round circle. He threw him
self into the building Of Transley's
house with as much fidelity as If 1t
had been his own. He gave his un-
divided attention to Transley's inter-
ests, making dollars for him while
earning cents for himself This atten-
ton was more needed than it ever had
been, as Transley found 1t necessary
to make weekly trips to the ranch In
the foothills to consult with Y.D. upon
business matters.
Zen found her interest In Transley
growing as his attentions continued.
He spent money upon her lavishly, to
the point at which she protested, for
although Y.D. was rated as million
aire the family life was one of almost
stark simplicity. Transley assured her
that he was making money faster than
he possibly could spend 1t, and even If
not, money had no nobler mission than
to bring her happiness. He explained
the bluerprints of the house. and dis
cussed with her details of the appoint
ments. AS the building progressed he
brought her weekly photographs of 1t.
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