The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-12-24
CHAPTER XII-Continued

dismay. No longer was he the deb
OMAR favorite of the high school. In
his somber eyes, his thin, cold lips,
his tense shoulders the young girl
saw the savage. But she knew the
tale was true.
She moistened her dry lips. But
what can / do, Charlie! I'm only
girl"
III tell you what you can do. You
can throw down your murderer friend
and side with me. You can get every
one you know to side with me. And,
Lydia, never tell Levine, or anyone
else, what you know about him. 1t
wouldn't be safe ~
He leaned toward her as he spoke
and Lydia shivered. 81 won't" she
whispered Then she said aloud In
sudden resentment, But I'm not going
10 throw Mr.. Levine down without his
having chance to explain. Who are
you TO think you've got right to ask
me? Pm just a girl. / want to be
happy just little while before l grow
up. I've had too much unhappiness."
Yes, you have had" agreed Char
lie, grimly, land that's why you will
think about it in spite of yourself.
You understand how l feel because
you've suffered. When are you going
to throw Levine DOWN."
Lydia's face whitened. Never"
she said.
What When you know he's a
murderer
HE never intended to kill your IA
Their. Anyhow, can't help what he's
done. He's like my own father and
brother and mother all in one to me-.
The two young people sat looking
into each others eyes. Suddenly
Charlie threw Lydia's hand from him,
and. like Billy Norton. he strobe down
the path and out of the gate without
a word.
Levine did not appear at the cot
tage for several days. During that
time Lydia tried to put Charles story
out of her mind.
When John did come out she avoid
ed talking to him and he caught her
several times looking at him with a
sad and puzzled expression. When
they started on their usual Sunday
walk, Amos went back to the house
for his cane and Levine said, abrupt
ly, "Out with it, young Lydia! Been
hearing more stories about my wick
edness?"
Lydia nodded, miserably.
my dear" Levine said quietly, "this
is mans game. I'm playing rough
and-tumble, catch-as-catch-can fight.
In it the weak must fail and maybe
die. But out of it great good will
come to this community. AS long as
the Indians are here to exploit, this
community will be demoralized. I'm
using every means, fair or foul, to
carry my purpose. Can't you let II
go at thatT
Lydia set her teeth. "Yes, / car
and l WILL" she said, as her father
came up with his cane.
And though this was more easily
said than done and the thought OF
murdered chiefs and starved babies
troubled her occasionally, she did not
really worry over it all as much as
she might have were she not entering
her senior year in the high school.
After the Christmas holidays Mar
gerry departed for an eastern finishing
school. The night after her departure
Kent made his first call on Lydia II
many months. The two withdrew t.
the kitchen to make candy and there
IIydia's surprise and pleasure gave
way to suspicion. Kent seemed t.
want to talk for the most part abou
Margery!
Hasn't she grown to be beauty !?
he said, beating the Judge briskly.
"She always was beautiful, reptile,
Lydia. though she's an awful silly
She never reads anything, and sh'
fiunked all her Thanksgiving exami
nations"
Anybody as pretty as Marger.
doesn't need to be brilliant" sail
Kent.
"And she spoons, and you dom
think much of girls that spooB." Lyd
las cheeks were a deeper pink thai
usual.
"shucks, don't be catty, Lydia !!
growled Kent.
Kent called several times during tn
winter, but he never asked Lydia t
go to a party nor did any Of the othe
bow friends she saw daily in school
bows with whom she chummed owe
lessons who told her their secrets
who treated her as mental equal, We
never asked her to call, or slippe
boxes Of candy into her desk or aske
her into a drug store for a sundae o
hot chocolate.
~ 1t %-%- Faf
more than old Lizzie. After Kent
third or fourth call, she said to Lydia
closing the door behind him, "Ye.
Kent'll come out here and see yol
but I notice he don't take you any
where. If you had fine party clothe
and lived on Lake Shore avenue, he
be bowling and scraping fast enough.
Lydia tossed her head. 81 don't car
about going to parties"
you do, too" insisted the old lad!
you're eating your heart out.
know. 1 was young once"
Amos looked up from his pape
"Lydia's too young to go If they oil
ask her. But why don't they ask?'
"It's because I'm too poor and liy
so far out and I don't spoon" al
swered Lydia 81 don't care, 1 tie
you" And just to prove that sh
didn't care, Lydia bowed her face
her hands and began to cry.
A look of real pain crossed Amo
face. He got up hastily and went
Lydia's side.
"Why, my little girl, thought 20
were perfectly happy this year. An
your clothes look nice to me-" b
smoothed Lydia's bright hair with n
work SCARED hand. 81 tell you, L