The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-09-07

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81 can't go into It," said the girl
sadly and abruptly, "but ! am certain
that II you had heard the story as
heard Il, you would nave to believe II
too. no matter how much 10 hurt you"
II don't believe II, whatever II Is
Why, we've known Jim all our lives
hes one of the very best"
$50 I've always thought" she
sighed, until tonight"
"But not any mOre?"
Not any more"
Suddenly she put out her hand to
him appealingly like frightened
child. "Oh. Rolly. Rolly." she said
'Tve lost my friend He's gone. I've
lost him. And il hurts"
Swiftly he was at her side. His time
was come. He took the cold little
hand in both of his own. and drew it
to his breast
"Doris. DEAR" he said. "let me help
you"
"You can't You can't"
81 do SO want to help you, because
you see-l love you"
The long flashes rose above the
violet eyes. and then they tiickered
and fell again. Quietly he drew her
to her feet and with a little sob she
slipped into his arms
Dearest" be murmured, don't
cry-please don't cry"
"But she only murmured Drokenly,
1--WE lost my friend-Ive lost him."
ayes. yes, know. But must try
and make IL up to you If | can"
And thus II happened Desperately
she needed comfort and-the comfort.
er was there. A moment later she
freed herself swiftly from his arms
Good heavens" she said, 81 had
quite forgotten. He's coming here this
very night | can't see him can't
| must tell Barker to send him away
Please ring the bell-hurry, hurryI"
But Waterman had anticipated this
emergency. "On the contrary" he
said promptly, 81 think It best that
you should see him."
"What now? Oh. couldn't
couldn't"
"Yes. now, darling. Think mo-
friend, you say"
"Yes," she said, land so have you"
'Yes. we've both lost him, haven't
we? And yet we cannot tell him So
How do you propose TO treat him?"
"Oh," she said, Il haven't thought
there hasn't been time"
"Well, suggest that my idea is this
You cannot tell him you are no longer
his friend without telling him why,
and you can't do that You must let
him find il out by degrees, and l think
the easiest way to start will be by tell
ing him at once that you are going to
marry me-"
The violet eyes widened abruptly.
In truth, the girl was startled. In
moment of keen suffering she had. il
was true, gone to the arms of the COM
forting Waterman. She had lain there
some moments He had caressed her
she had allowed it Yet IL was not
until this instant that she realized
fully what this had meant to him. All
this he saw in the moment of silence
that followed his last remark. His
fate was in the balance. he knew it.
dearest" he breathed
At length she turned away. "All
right" she said. las you WISH"
His heart leaped up-he had won
He was safe. Now to cinch it. "Oh.
am sure | am right, darling" he hur.
ried on 1T will be hard TO do. but
there's one thing about il. once done
it will be over and swiftly over Since
you cannot tell him what you know
about him and yet you must believe IL,
you can't go on seeing him day by day
pretending you are still his friend No
one could do it, So let him know that
you're engaged TO me. If | am not
mistaken. that of itself will be a bit
of blow to him"
She sighed as she dabbed at ner
eyes with her handkerchief. 81 sup
pose you're right" she admitted "Since
it must be- the sooner the better"
SIN sure of it."
At this moment Stanley entered the
room, unannOunced since Barker
knew quite well that his mistress was
always at home TO him. He paused
upon the threshold just an instant
Nobody spoke. He feared the worst
but he crossed the room briskly. took
the girls unresisting hand and said.
"Well. my dear Doris and how are you
tonight?"
I'm very WE'LL" she said family,
without looking at him.
Good" said he. "HeIlo. Rolly."
Hello jim"
81 haven't seen you In long time
not for four or five hours. Very sci.
dom happens like that Well. Doris
what's the news?"i
"No news" she said family.
1--WE got to contradict you, Doris"
news. the best news I've had In long
long time or ever SHALL"
Stanley's heart sank-his prophetic
soul was right He knew ii before
Waterman continued:
"Its delightful that you should have
happened in as you did, for am sure
that Doris feels as | do when | say
that 1t makes me quite happy that you
should be the first to hear of our en-.
gagement-"
Jim managed to force smile,
splendid" he cried. splendid My
two very best friends Doris, my dear
friend. my very best wishes-the veiy
best wishes that you could imagine,
and then add to those about thou
sand more still better ones. And as
for you. ROlly. you know perfectly
I14 dar ha ial.i Last