The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-05-25
THE
INCREDIBLE
GIFT

d.o.-o~o-.o.-oo-<>o--o.-o-o--o.b
t0 BY D. J. walsh.>
"OM LEyERING had been over
working for months starting his
new uSiness-hardware. His
mOther-a widow-had inner
tied five thousand dollars from an uncle
and was willing to put half in the BUSH
ness, and Tom had saved another
thousand. On his mothers account
he felt doubly anxious to succeed and
he was showing the strain. His moth
er begged him to take vacation, even
if short, so he finally decided to run
off hunting in the mountains and
leave the business TO his old book
keeper and a young but reliable clerk.
Once in the mountains it seemed as
if he could never get his fill of the in
MIGRATING air.
The second day he was surprised to
come upon a hut. There was every
sign of occupancy, and as he stood
locking at the unexpected sight the
door opened and young woman came
than beautiful, alert, dressed in the
latest clothes. The two stood star
ing at each other. Then Tom dotted
his hat and she smilingly announced:
81 am Barry McVane, won't you
come in?"
81 am Tom lowering, and | shall be
most happy to come in"
The cabin seemed to hold three
rooms and small attic. 1t was neat
but plain. The two began at once
talking as if they had known each
other for years. They found much in
common. She had an old Irish woman
with her, family servant, who was
a fine cook. Tom dropped in often;
sometimes Miss McVane tramped with
him. They exchanged reading matter,
but they didn't spend many hours read
ing Old Ellen cooked the squirrels
and quail Tom killed They used Bar
rys auto to explore the country.
''The hus belongs to friend back
home," Barry went on. "And he was
glad to let me have it, as he hasn't
been here for three years. There's a
fine well back of the hut"
The days flew by as if winged and
as the one approached set for Toms
departure he postponed it three days
longer and went to the nearest town
and telegraphed home.
His heart misgave him. "Tm weak
creature" he told himself. Things at
the store may be all balled up"
The inevitable happened. Barry was
making him some coffee. Ellen had
discreetly gone for stroll. Tom came
up behind her and put his arms about
her.
Il can't stand it any longer" he
said. you may not care hang for
me, but adore you, Barry. Do tell
me you viii give me chance"
She turned in his arms and faced
him with crimson cheeks and laugh
ing eyes. I'm that brazen, Mishter
lowering, that I've loved 5ou from
the first" she told him.
They sat there, the coffee forgotten.
He told her of his business. Even
IL dll CUES We'll, uSai, l. Sdh hdiiy
for y ar at least, and that seems
forever"
"Ill wait any time, so don't let
that worry you," she assured him.
81 can't believe my wonderful for
tune" Tom went on; show mother will
love you
"She always wanted a daughter. Pm
so glad you're not rich, for I've al
ways said that even if / loved girl
her fortune would forbid my going
further"
I'm so alone" Barry said with a
little sigh. 81 never dreamed what
these mountains held for me! AS for
money, | should think you would be
glad if | had lot. l could help you
so much in your business"
mo, no." Tom declared vehemently |;
II want to work for my wife and give
her money, not take it from her.
had a college chum who married a
girl rich in her own right, and the re-
marks L heard of his fOrtune-hunting
made me VOW I'd never have a rich
wife. In your case, dear, you know l
love you for yourself and no doubt
can ever arise about it. I'm glad you
have enough to live comfortably with
your work. but l want to provide for
YOU"
my work." repeated Barry.
"Yes, the tipping you spoke of-are
you in an Officer"
mo. | do all my tipping at home,"'
Barry said. "Rut don't let US talk of
money; there are pleasanter things"
For months after their separation
they wrote often and regularly. Toms
mother admired Barry's photographs
and occasionally wrote her. But there
was IA slump in hardware all over the
state and Toms heart sank. His mar
riase seemed far away.
81 couldn't work harder" he told
himself. land yet I'm not succeeding"
The home needed fixing up and new
furniture.
I,arry's letters were his joy. He al
ways felt fresh hope after reading
them 1t had been one of his blue
days when in the evening stranger
called. His mother was at her club.