The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-01-11

uHyS Oh his return ITOIu u try W thr
Northwest where he'd been engaged IN
settling the last details and letting
the contracts for the construction OF
their flax factories.
Invitations of this sort weren't so
very frequent, and they generally had
real occasion. He had something
he wanted to talk with her about he
said. "Oh, It's got nothing to do with
any of this" He smiled as he added
on leaving her, "Pm going to surprise
you, Jennie"
A dinner at Joe's fiat. whatever Its
occasion, deserved to be treated as a
party, so she went home lite early
from the office-there wasn't so very
much to do these days-and dressed
In leisureiy and luxurious manner In
satin frock which she had bought.
luckily, only the week before. Jennie
candidly enjoyed dressing up, and one
of her few grievances against the sort
Of life she led was that it offered SO
few opportunities for this indulgence.
The dinner was at seven-thirty, and
1t was still broad daylight when she
parked her little coupe in the side
street nearest Joe's doorway. In the
doorway she found Joe's chauffeur
waiting under his employers orders
for her to drive up so that he might
take her car into the garage and bring
it around again whenever she want
ed 1t.
He was a prepossessing youngster
who had taken this job on getting de-
modified from the army few weeks
previously. The irregular hours and
the touch of variety about 1t made 1t,
Jennie supposed, less unattractive to
him than most of Che berths open to
man in his position. But he was
too good, she thought, for this sort of
thing-taking Joe's actresses on joy
rides In the small hours of the morn
Ing, and so on; and she made men
tai note, as shp spoke to him, OF a
resolution to persuade Toe to find
something better Sor him to do. His
name was George BURNS.
She told him her car was all right
where 1t was, and that when she was
ready to go she wouldn't mind going
out to it alone, so If this vas to have
been his only duty for the evening he
might as well consider himself at nib
erty He thanked her, but rlhe
guessed from his manner that he
didn't intend to act upon her permits
sion. In the same moment she real
lied, and she blushed bright pink as
it broke over her. that the boy was
shocked. That he attributed-it must
be that-a sinister Interpretation to
her visit. Once or twice he'd driven
her home from the office when she'd
worked late, and they'd got to be quite
good friends. Tonight he seemed to
see her In new and rather lurid
light.
In the elevator she decided she'd
say nothing about the encounter to
Joe, at least until she'd cooled down
enough to laugh over 1t. But he,
meeting her in the hall as the butler
opened the Goor for her, had it all out
Of her in two minutes.
"Good Lord. Jennie! What's the
matter with your he asked at sight
of her.
And to her "Well, what isT he an
swered. "You look-as If you'd just
been kissed by travelling man."
At that, she laughed and told him.
That's a nice mess" he commented
<ix,o
keys. And go and take off your cloak.
You know the room, don't you? I'll
be back In minute. No, I don't
blame him bit. It's all your fa-,lt."
He had. it struck her, rather
thoughtful air when he Joined her
few minutes later In the drawing-room.
He stood for moment little way
off, candidly regarding her before he
spoke.
you wear better-looking clothes
than most Of the women who have
nothing to do but buy them. How do
you manage it, Jennie?'
She felt that her new frock was
indicated, for 1t wasn't often he
showed the slightest consciousness Of
what she wore.
II happen to be the right size to
wear models" she said. That's the
answer. 1t saves lot of trouble"
THE right size and the right
shape" he amended. Its more than
your clothes that looks good to me-"
There was the same quality, oddly
reflective for him, about his gesture.
for as he finished speaking he came
up and took her by both bare arms
just above the elbow, gently enough,
as If he merely meant to hold her
there until the end of his train Of
thought.