The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1927-07-22


brother to return where love and duty
called.
Holding this intimate communica-
ton, which the busy Charles had seen
fit to share with his secretary, over
the flame of the candle, Garth grimly
watched 1t burn.
Clara, Enthusiastically, had ap-
preached from different angle. AL
though his letters, she wrote, had not
mentioned his health, she was conf
dent that he was still Ill. He had
tried that cold, cruel north. Why not
give the country near home chance,
where his devoted family and
broken-hearted girl pinned for him. If
he could have seen how stanchly
Ethel had taken the blow She was,
showing brave face to the gossips-
was going everywhere, but hiding
wounded heart. They called her THE
Widow" ana, of course, people were
mystitied, but she and Clara were only
counting the days when dear old Garth
would return to them
She finished with: Ethel and I are
like sisters, inseparable. And she's so
proud of Charles new honor Think
of it! she said the other day, to be
the sister-in-law of the great Sir
Charles Guthrier SO you see, Garth,
she is still the same old Ethel, loving
yOu-forgiving ALL"
YES" the man who read agreed,
corner of the mouth lifting, shes the
old Ethel" And he blew out the
candle.
Earlier, at the Church of England
mission, where Joan Quarter and her
brother were staying until Cameron
could send them to Moose, he had
said gOod-by, for at dawn he was to
start for Elkwan. The manner of
Reverend Swan, who opened the door
to Garth'S knock, was distinctly cool,
but as he had avoided the missionary
during his year at Albany, and de-
veloped warm friendship with Pere
Rousseau, the Oblate, the inhospit-
able reception was anticipated and ig-
nored. The little man with the pale
hair and eyes, fidgeted with embar-
rassment at the appearance of Garth.
al am In doubt as to whether Miss
Quarters brother would wish her to
see you,' said the clergyman, with as
brave show Of dignity as his five
feet-four could command in the snub-
bling of the man whose eyes twinkled
in frank amusement at the effort
Then, in a voice which Garth knew
would be clearly audible to the girl he
wished to see, he said: Miss Quar-
rier will decide without her brothers
assistance whether she wishes to see
me. VIII you tell her I am here?'
Holding his position in the doorway,
undecided as to his next move, the
missionary Redeemed with anger at the
trick. Then footsteps sounded behind
him and the low voice of Joan Quar-
rier asked: 'Is there someone to see
me, Mr. Swan? Oh, It's Mr.. Guthrie!
Good evening" And she pushed past
the disgruntled missionary to take
Garth's extended hand.
do you mind talking outside? Mr..
Swan fears that your brother doesn't
approve of me-" Guthrie flung at the
figure in the door as he moved away
with the girl, who sensed what had
passed. "You see, your good brother
has already poisoned the clerical
mind" laughed Garth as they walked
slowly to the clearing. I'm leaving
early tomorrow and came to say
good-by."
The moon was up and Guthrie's side
long glance caught the SOLDERING of her
face. She was looking straight ahead
and the light which drew a simmer
ing trail over the quiet surface of the
Albany brushed her heavy hair with
silver.
You're worried about your geese,
1t was fine of you to waste precious
time bringing US here"
II am still in your debt, Miss Quar-
rier," he said, and as he watched the
profile Of the girl walking beside himt
with its straight nose and firm chin,
the realization that she was passing
out of his life-this woman whom
chance had thrown into the tragedy
at Elkwan-came swift as blow.
The old sense Of loss, felt so often In
the days when friend-a comrade-
went west" returned to him. The
vivid color and tang Of her person
ality-the splendid strength of her
were stirring him with an appeal hith-
ertO unsensed. Now that the brief
days of their comradeship were over,
the memory Of Joan Quarters instant
comprehension of the nature of the
pity, approaching affection, which MIN
da inspired In him-of how the salve
of her sympathy had eased the raw
bitterness-poignantly returned.
And now this friendship-born of
chance-was to be cut short off by the
wall of thousand miles of forest.
She glanced curiously at the man
who walked beside her in silence.
II shall think of you often up there
with Etienne, and Shot, and old Anne"
she hazarded. 1T seems so lonely and
so-unnecessary."
But Guthrie avoided reference to
the cause Of his exile. "We shall re-
member you-all of u.s. Without you,
it would have been unthinkable"
ut was strange-that storm, and
meeting as we did. Poor little Min
da' she said, dreamily. watching the
silhouette of belated canoe from the
whitefish nets drift into the path of
moonlight.
(To BE coNTINUED)
But Not to Him