The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-08-31

agreeable to both Madge and her
mother, who found little enjoyment in
the other boarders' society. 1t also
gave Madge more time to attend to
her duties, as she felt more free to
leave her mother with their new
friend. Before the coming of Mrs.
Heron, Mrs. Buckly, who was deli
cate and could only attend to the
mending and repairing, kept much to
her room, and oftentimes, in conse-
quence, found herself very lonely.
One day Mrs. Heron called Madge
to her room and told hef That she
had just received letter from her
nephew, Tom West, who had been in
South America for his health and who
was now entirely recovered. He was
coming home and had taken a fine
situation in Elmhurst She desired
that he might board at the Buckly
with her and wished Madge to ar
range to take him. AT first Madge
thought it would be impossible, but
finally made the necessary arrange
ments, which would permit Mrs. Her.
ron to have her wish.
Madge met Tom West at dinner the
night he came. He was fine young
fellow with dark eyes and hair, and
a face so honest that one instinctively
felt drawn to him. He was most cOur-
teous to all the boarders and most at
tentive to his aunt, but as far as
Madge was concerned, she might just
as well have been a stick for all the
notice he paid her. The rest of the
bOarders soon absorbed him, the wOm-
en- hung on his every word, especially
when he related some incident per-
tanning to his recent travels. Even
Miss Pitkin ceased to watch the
plates of the other boarders and kept
her eyes fastened in alteration on the
face of Tom West.
This went on for several weeks,
when one day Mrs. Heron was taken
i'll 1t happened to be a time when
there was much sickness and it was
impossible to get nurse at so short
a notice. There was nothing for poor
Madge to do but just shoulder the
added burden and assist Tom West in
caring for his aunt. This, of course,
threw them much together, and al
though Tom seemed grateful for all
that Madge was doing for his aunt,
he still maintained a cool aloOfness
until one morning as Madge entered
Mrs. Herron's room bearing a tray
which nlonn6 6oinfu
breakfast for the invalid, who was
now well on the way to recovery, the
tray slipped out of her tired hands
and she fell in faint across the bed.
few moments later when Madge
opened her eyes she found herself held
in Tom Vests arms and his face was
bending close to hers.
"My darling" he was saying over
and over. "You have worn yourself
out with so many duties and cares.
l can never, never forgive myself.
Surprise and joy brought the color
swiftly back to Madge's white face.
Tom West cared for her! So well had
she hidden the secret almost from
herself that she loved him that even
her mother had not been aware of
the struggle Madge was undergoing
to kill love which she was sure was
most untimely. Tom cared for her
And his aunt did not disapprOye.
Madge could see that from the old
wOman'S smile.
Three months later Madge and Tom
were quietly married and on their
way South for an extended honey
moon. Madge looked very happy and
pretty in her dark travelling suit and
little close fitting hat. AS the train
which was bearing them away drew
out of the station at Elmhurst Madge
turned to her husband and said:
"Now, Tom, you said as soon as we
were on board the train you had
secret to tell me. Please tell me now"
"Well, my DEAR" Tom said, giving
his bride an adoring look, II think
you will agree with me that it Is
pleasant one. First of all, l am not
just a poor clerk. And next of all,
while we are away Aunt Abbey Her.
ron and your mother are going to
clear out all the boarders and reno
vate and refurnish the whole house.
| have promised to keep you away I'M
til everything is spic and span. We
all agreed that you have done quite
enough to deserve a fine rest"
But, Tom," Madge said in puz-
zled little voice, why did you treat
me so coolly If, as you have said
again and again, you fell in love with
me at first sight?'
''That / will acknowledge was IN
fair to you," said Tom earnestly.
"But honey, l am rich mans son
and my Aunt Abbey has coolies of
money and-I wanted to marry and
be married to a girl was sure loved
me and not my money. And most of
all | wanted to go out and earn my
own living long enough to be sure
that | had brains enough to take
care of what had. / thought | didn't
like girls-and / didn't until l met
you and you won me by your sweet
ness"
And so they all lived happily ever
after.