The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-05-09

and the girl appeared. She did not
burst upon them, as Under had half
expected; she slipped quietly and
gracefully into their presence She
was dressed in black, in a costume
which did not too much conceal the
charm of her figure. and the nut-brown
luster of her face and hair played
against the sober background of her
dress with an effect that was almost
dazzling.
MY daughter Zen," said Y.D. "Mr.
TransIey, Mr.. Linder.p
She shook hands frankly, first with
Transley, then with Under, as had
been the order Of the introduction.
She gave the impression of one who
has herself, and the situation, In
hand.
We're always glad to have guests
at the Y.D." she was saying. "We
live so far from everywhere"
Under thought that strange peg
on which to hang. their welcome. But
she was continuing:
And you have been so successful,
haven't you? You have made quite
hit with Dad"
How about Dads daughter?"
asked Transley. Transley had a man.
ner of direct and forceful action
These were his first words to her.
Linder would not have dared be so
precipitate.
Perhaps" thought Linder to him.
self, as he turned the incident over In
his mind, perhaps that is why Trans
ley is boss, and I'm just foreman"
The young woman's behavior seemed
to support that conclusion She did
not answer Transley's question, but
she gave no evidence of displeasure.
you boys must be hungry" Y.D.
was saying. "Pile in"
The rancher and his wife sat az
the ends of the table; Transley on the
side at Y.D.'s right; Under at Trans
ley's right In the better light Under
noted Y.D.'s face. 1t was the face Of
man of fifty, possibly sixty. Life
in the open plays strange tricks with
the appearance. Some men ii ages
before their time; others seem to tap
spring Of perpetual youth. Save for
the gray mustache and the puckerings
about the eyes Y.D.'s was still
young mans face. Then, as the ranch
er turned his head, Under noted
long scar, as of burn, almost grown
over in the right cheek. Across
the table from them sat the girl, i'm
partially dividing her position between
the two.
A chinese boy served soup, and the
rancher set the example by "piling
I'M without formaiity. Then followed
huge joint of beef, from which Y.D.
cut generous slices with swift and
dexterous strokes of a great knife,
and the Chinese boy added the vege-
tables from a side table. AS the meat
disappeared the call of appetite be-
came less insistent
"She's been a great summer, amt
she?' said the rancher, laying down
his knife and fork and lifting the
carver. "Transley, some more meat?
Pshaw, you amt ct enough for a
chicken. Under? Chats right, pass
up your plate. Powerful dry, though.
That's only small bit; here's a bet
ter slice here. Dry summers gen'raI-
ly mean open winters, but you can't
never tell. Zen, how bout you? Old
Y.D'S been too long on the Job to
take chances. Mother? How much
did you say, Transley? About two
thousand tons? Not enough. Don't
care if do'-Helping himself to an
other piece Of beef
Il think you'll find two thousand
tons, good hay and good measure
ment," said Transley.
I'm sure of it," rejoined his host.
generously. I'm carryin' more steers
than usual, and'lI maybe run in a
bunch Of doggies from Manitoba to
boot. got to have more hay"
The Chinese boy served a pudding
of some sort, and presently the meal
was ended.
shes been dry summer-power-
full dry" said the rancher, with a wink
at his guests. Zen, think there's
I
thereT
The girl left the room without re-
mark, returning shortly with a jug
and glasses, which she placed before
her father.
Il suppose you wear mans size,
Transley." he said, pouring out a big
drink Of brown liquor, despite Trans
ley's deprecating hand. "Linder, how
many fingers7 Two? Well, we'll
throw in the thumb. Y.D.? II you
please, just little snifter All set?"
The rancher rose to his feet, and
the company followed his example.
Here's ho!-and more hay" he
sale, genially.
"HOl" said Under.
"The daughter of the Y.D.r' said
Transley looking across the table at
the girl. She met his eyes full; then.
with CLEAN of white teeth, she raised
an empty glass and cIinked IL against