The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1927-12-16
CHAPTER III-Continued

Il could not verify your references,
as the Brays are in Canada" she
proceeded.
The young man took an eager step
forward. 81 am sure if Mrs. Bray
were here" he began, then flushed
and stopped, twisting his cap.
'Were here?" said Miss Cornelia in
a curious voice. "Are you a profess
siOnal gardener"
Yes" The young mans manner
had grown a trifle defiant; but Miss
'COrnelia's next question followed re-
morselessly.
''Know anything about hardy peren-
nialS?" she said in soothing voice,
while Lizzie regarded the interview
with wondering eyes.
"Oh yes" but the young man
seemed curiously lacking in confidence.
''They-they're the ones that keep their
leaves during the winter, aren't they"
Come over here-closer-" said
Miss COrnelia, imperiously. Once
more she scrutinized him and this
time there was no doubt of his dis
comfort under her stare.
"Have you had any experience with
rubeOla?" she queried finally.
"Oh, yes-yes-yes, indeed" the gar
dener stammered. "Yes."
"And alopecia?" pursued Miss Cor
nelia.
The young man seemed to tumble
in his mind for the characteristics of
such a flower or shrub.
1.-The dry weather is very hard on
alOpecia," he asserted, finally, and
was evidently relieved to see Miss
-Cornelia receive the statement with
pleasant smile. She leaned forward
her next question was obviously to
be a weighty one.
'What do you think is the best
treatment for urticaria?" she pro-
pounded with a highly professional
manner.
1t appeared to be a catch-question.
The young man knotted his brows.
Finally a CLEAN of light seemed to
come to him.
'Urticaria frequently needs-er-
thinning" he announced decisively.
Needs scratching, you meanw Miss
Cornelia rose, with snort of disdain,
and faced him. young man, urticaria
is hives-rubeola is measles-and alo-
pecia is badness % she Numbered.
She waited a moment for his defense
hone came.
why did you tell me you were a
professional gardener" she went on,
accusingly. "Why have you come here
at this hour of night, pretending to
be something you're not?"
By all standards of drama, the
young man should have wilted before
her wrath. Instead he suddenly smiled
at her, bcyishly, and threw up his
hands in a gesture of defeat.
II know 1 shouldn't have done it !"
he confessed with appealing frank
ness. You'd have found me out any,
how! 1 don't know anything about
gardening. The truth is" his tone
grew somber, 81 was desperate. I had
to have work. ..
The candor of his smile would have
disarmed a stcnier-hearted person
than Miss Cornelia. But her suspi-
clOnS were sui awake. ..
That's all, is it?"
That's enough, when you're down
and out" His words had an unmis-
taxable accent of finality. She
couldn't help wanting to believe him
and yet-he wasn't what he had
pretended to be-and this night of all
nights was no time to take people on
trust! ....-5g
''How do I know you won't steal the
spoons?' she queried, her voice still
gruff.
Are they nice, spoons?" he asked
with absurd seriousness.
She couldn't help smiling at his
tone. Beautiful spoons"
Again, that engaging, boyish man.
ner of his touched something in her
heart.
spoons are a great temptation to
me, Miss Van Gorder-but if you'll
take me, I'll promise to leave them
alone"
That's extremely kind of you," she
answered with grim humor-knowing
herself beaten. She went over to ring
for Billy.
Lizzie took the opportunity to gain
her ear.
Il don't trust him, Miss Nelly! He's
toe smooth" she whispered, warning
ly. Miss Cornelia stiffened. 81
haven't asked for your opinion, Liz
zie," she said