The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1927-01-14
'By HONORE WILLSIE
&c by Frederick A. Stokes Cob
WNU Service

But don't care. / wish / had a new
dress. But I've made the sleeves
small in my organdie and made new
girdle. 1t looks as well as could be
expected" she finished comically.
The hop was a success, decided
success, in spite Of the organdie. Kent
was inclined TO be stiff, at first, and
to wear a slightly injured air, and yet,
mingled with this was a frank and
youthful bravado. And there could
be no doubt that among the college
boys, Kent was more or less of hero.
1t was something to boast of, evil
IDENTIFY, TO have ones name coupled
with Levine's in the great scandal.
Kent had supposed that he would
have some trouble in filling Lydia's
card for her, but to his surprise, he
found that in her timid way, Lydia
was something of a parsonage among
the older college boys and the young
er professors.
IT was altogether an intoxicating
evening and at its end Lydia pulled
on her last winters overcoat and clam
bered into Kent's little automobile,
utterly satisfied with life.
sob. Kent, it was wonderful"
sand you don't feel as If / were
villain any more? You've forgiven
me?'
Forgiven you? For what?"
For not agreeing with you on the
Indian question. Gee, l was sore at
you, Lyd, that morning at the hear
ing, and yet was like your dad. 1
was proud of you. too
"Oh, don't let's talk about 1t, to-
night, Kent" Lydia protested.
"All right, old girl, only just re-
member that l can't change. l back
Mr.. Levine to the limit. And maybe
he hasn't a surprise party coming
for all of you!"
at don't care" insisted Lydia. I'm
going to be happy tonight, and I won't
talk Indians. Margery is feeling much
better. She's at our house every SUM-
day. You must come round and see
her."
'Why shouldn't 1 come TO see you,
Lydia?" asked Kent, with new note
in his voice.
"Why, of course, you'd see me, but
Margery's always been the main at
traction with you"
HAS she? Seems TO me l recall
time when I couldn't endure the sight
of her. And when you were the best
pal 1 had. That's what you are, Ly-
dia, a real pal. A fellow can fiirt
round with the rest Of 'em, but you're
the one to look forward to spending
lifetime with! Tomorrow's Sunday.
Let's take a walk down to the VIII
lows in the afternoon"
"All right, Kent" said Lydia,
quietly, and silence fell on both of
gate.
For some reason, when she woke
the next morning, Lydia half hoped
that the soft patter against her win
dow was of rain drops. But it was
the wind-tossed maple leaves, whose
scarlet and gold were drifting deep
on the lawn and garden. At three
o'clock Lydia and Kent set off down
the road to the Willows.
They strolled along the leafy road,
with the tang of the autumn in their
nostrils, and the blue CLEAN of the
lake in their eyes. 1t was only a
half mile to the Willows and as they
turned in, Kent took Lydia's hand
and drew it through his arm.
Look" he said, 81 believe there is
even a little left Of our cave, after all
this time. What a rough little devil
l was in those days. And yet, even
then, Lyd, 1 believe I had an idea of
trying TO take care of you"
He dropped Lydia's hand and faced
her. Lydia, do you care for me
care for me enough to marry me?
Lydia turned pale. Something In
her heart began to sing. Something
in her brain began to stir, uncomfort-
ably.
'Oh. Kent" she began, breathlessly,
then paused and the two looked deep
into each others eyes.
Lydia! Lydia! 1 need you sor'
cried Kent. You. are such a dear,
such a pal, so pretty, so sweet-and
l need you SO! Won't you marry me,
Lydia?''
"Fve always loved you dearly, Kent,
and yet" faltered Lydia, land yet,
somehow, 1 don't think we'd ever make
each other happy"
Not make each other happyi I'd
like to know why not! Just try me,
Lydiai Try mel"
I'D like TO try you, dear If Wait,
Kent, wait! Let me have my play
time, Kent. I've never had real one,
you know, TIL now. Let me finish
college, then ask me again, will you,
Kent?"
Kent jerked his head Disconnected
ly. Il think il would be better for US
TO tie to each other right now Please,
Lydia dear!"
Lydia shook her head slowly. Let
me have my playtime, Kent. I don't
know that side of myself at ALL
Kent looked into the clear tender
blue of Lydia's eyes. Then he said
softly, All right, dearl You know
best. But will you give me just one
kisS-for remembraneeT
Yes" replied Lydia. lifting her
face, and Kent pulled of his cap and
kissed the warm, girlish lips, tender
ly, lngeringly, then, without a word,
gently turLed Lydia homeward.
Kent's announcement that he had
broken with Billy Norton did not
amount 10 a great deal. As winter
came on, he and Billy met constantly
at the cottage and, outwardly at least,
were friendly. The commission fin
ished its sitting and turned its find
ings over TO congress. Congress In
structed the district attorney to carry