The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-02-05

4
piled. "and we give you our trust"
The girl swallowed once and tight
ened her hold on the child's thin
shoulders. There was something In
fnitely pathetic, infinitely intriguing
in this situation, and it gripped her
strongly.
"I-thank you," she said awkward
ly, "Tll not betray it."
'pm sure you won't" said Brand
Fair, "and for the present, If you'll
accept us at our face value, Wen be
mighty glad-eh, Sonnyf'
"Pve been glad all the time" said
Sonny fervently, "and SOS Dirk"
"Ingrares r. laughed the man. Here
I've shared my poor substance with
you two fora very long time-and
at the first bride of meat and kisses
you turn me down coldp
"Oh!" cried Nance, flushing, "you
know all about us !"
ITS my business to know all about
one who invades my solitude, isn't it2'
But here Sonny could stand Brands
badinage no longer and pulling away
from Nance he ran to him, and cling
Ing about his knees. begged forgive
ness for the lie whose memory
troubled his clear little soul.
The man touched the unkempt small
head with tender hand. "Sure, old
timer" he said gently; that's all
right. A gentleman must lie when
lady commands-he couldn't do any
thing else"
You make me feel like q sinner"
said Nance, II hope you'll forgive me.
too"
The man took Sonny's hand as she
made ready to leave and turned down
the canyon with her.
Wen form "a guard-of-honor In
token Of that" he said, land in see
ing you off Wen invite you back again
Sonny would miss you now, you know.
But just remember always, Miss Al
Ison, please-that in a way we're
keeping out of sight-until-until
some time In an uncertain future.
Consider us secret, will you not?"
Nance Allison rode home to Name
less with her head in a whirl. Life,
that had seemed to pass her by In her
plodding labor and her patient bear.
Ing of trouble, had suddenly touched
her with flaming finger
She had found mystery and affec-
ton In the silence Of Blue Stone cam
yon-and now there was something
else, strange vibrant element, thin
as ether and intangible as wind, a
sense Of citation. Of excitement. She
felt surge within her of some name
less fire, an uplift, peculiar glad
ness.
Nanny she said straightly when
she stepped in at the cabin door, "Tve
found the mani"
"Whew! Some statement, Sisr'
cried Bud as he shambled across the
sill behind her. whats he likeY"
"Why-I don't just know. He's tall
and he wears clothes that have once
been fne-and he has the straightest
eyes I ever saw. His names Fair
Brand Fair-and he's some relation to
Sonny, for that is his name, too"
Il hope you gave him that piece of
your mind you faid out TOT" pursued
Bud.
why, no-no,S said Nance wonder
ingly, looking at him with half-seeing
eyes, II don't-believe-I did,"
Mrs. Allison looked up from her
work of getting supper at the stove
II mind me-" she said. "of the first
time l ever set eyes on your pappy,
l was goin' to frail him good because
he'd run his saddle horse a-past TIL
cart 1 was drivin', kickin' terrible |
dust all over my Sunday dress-it was
at Sharfell's corners
an then-he laughed an talked to me
an / forgot my mad spell. His eyes
Jest coaxed tn wrath out Of my heart |
then an ever after"
"Why, Nanny" said Nance, "that's
Just what happened herel This man
talked to me and l forgot my mad
spell 1 never said a thing I'd STAYED
to say! And I promised to keep the
secret of him and Sonny in the can
yon."
Him. said Bud as he sided into
his chair and smoothed his bronze
hair. wet from his additions at the
we'll. "H'm-Mammy, why'd you tell
Ter that? wish you hadn't"
"Why?" said Nance, but her brother
shook his head