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


alton over In her mind. Her life had
been swept into strange and unexpect-
ed channels, and the experience puz-
zled her. She assured herself that she
looked forward to her marriage with
Transley with the proper delight Of a
bride-to-be, and indeed 1t was pros
pect that could well be contemplated
with pleasure. Transley had
won the complete confidence of her ia
ther and when doubts assailed her Zen
found In that fact very considerable
comfort. Y.D. was "A shrewd man
man who seldom guessed wrong. Zen
did not admit that she was allowing
her father to choose a husband for
her. but the fact that her father con-
Cured In the choice strengthened her
In 1t. Transley had in him qualities
which would win not only wealth, but
distinction, and she would share In the
laurels. She told herself that it was
a delightful outlook; that she was a
very happy girl indeed-and won
dered why she was not happier!
Particularly she laid 1t upon herself
that she must now, finally, dismiss
Dennison Grant from her mind. 1t was
absurd to suppose that she cared more
for Grant than she did for Transley.
The two men were so different; 1t was
impossible to make comparisons. They
occupied quite different spheres In her
regard. To be sure, Grant was very
likeable man, but he was not eligible
as husband, and she could not marry
two, In any case. Zen entertained no
girlish decisions about there being
only one man in the world. On the
contrary, she was convinced that there
were very many men in the world, and.
among the better types, there was,
perhaps, not so much to choose be-
tween them. Grant would undoubted-
ly be a good husband within his
means; so would Transley, and his
means were greater. The blue-prints
of the new house in town had not been
without their effect. 1t was a differ
ent prospect from being foreman's
wife on a ranch. Her father would
never hear of it,
So she busted herself with prepare
lions for the great event, and what
preparations they were! "Zen," her
father had said, "for once the lid Is
off. Go the limit !" She took him at
his word. There were many trips to
town. and activities about the old
ranch buildings such as they had never
known since Jessie Wilson came to
finish Y.D's up-bringing, nor even
then. The good word spread through
out the foothill country and down over
the prairies, and many lazy cloud of
dust lay along the November hillsides
as the women folk Of neighboring
ranches came to pay their respects
and crafty their curiosity. Zen had
treasures to show which sent them
home with new standards of extrava-
gance.
Y.D. had not thought he could be-
come SO worked up over a simple mat
ter like a wedding Time had dulled
the edge Of memory, but even after
making allowances he could not recall
ihot lliS IluSC W JCSSlC "llSOh ldu
been such an event in his life as this.
1t did not ut least reflect so much
glory upon him personally. He basked
In the reflected glow of his daughters
beauty and popularity as happily as
the big cat lying on the sunny side of
the bunk-house. He found all sorts Of
excuses for invading where his pres
ence was little wanted while Zen's
finery was being displayed for admira-
ton. Y.D. always pretended that such
invasions were quite accidental, and
affected fine Indifference to all this
"women's fuss an feathers" but his
affectations deceived at least none Of
the older visitors.
AS the great day approached Y.D.'s
wife shot bomb-shell at him. "What
do you propose to wear for Zen's we'd
ding| she demanded.
whats the matter with the suit /
go to town in?"
"YD.,' said his wife, kindly, there
are certain little touches which you
overlook. Your town suit is all right
for selling steers, although I won't say
that it hasn't outlived it's prime even
for that. To attend Zen's wedding 1t
is-hardly the thing"
"It's been a good suit" he protest
ed ct is
ut has, 1t Is also venerable suit.
But really, Y.D., it will not do for this
occasion You must get yourself new
suit, and a white shirt"
"What do 1 want with a white
shirt"
at has to be-" his wife insisted.
you'll have to deck yourself out In a
new suit and white shirt and collar"
Y.D. stamped around the room, and
in moment slipped out. "All fool
nonsense" he confided to himself, on
his way to the bunk-house. Its all
right for Zen to have good clothes
didn't tell her TO go the limit ?-but
as for me, t amt me that's gettin
married, is 1t? Sttaradln' up before all
them COW punchasssin white shirt p
The bitterness of such disgrace cut
the old rancher no less keenly than
the physical discomfort which he fore
cast for himself, yet he put his own
desires sufficiently to one side to buy
a suit Of clothes, and white shirt and
collar, when he was next in town.
1t must not be supposed that Y.D.
admitted to the salesman that he per-