The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-11-16
By A. E. THOMAS
Copyright. BY
Dodd, Mead and Company, Inc.
w. N. u. Service

cried. "Why, he even defended you"
"Noble Rollinl True friend"
"Jim, you must be just to Rollin.
He's never said word against you"
every generous of him. Did he
ever tell you of talk we had that
very afternoon before you became en-
gagged"
"Why, no."
swell, will 1t will interest you.
He had been paying lot of attention
to you. | assumed that he was in
love with you as-as was myself.
and am yet Oh, you know II well
enough"
"Please-please-" she begged, her
eyes upon the floor.
He went on: $50 | spoke frankly
to Rolin that very afternoon and we
agreed to propose to you that same
evening. We tossed a coin for first
chance. He won the toss. OF course,
the moment entered your drawing
room saw that had lost you"
A silence fell. ROusing herself,
Doris broke 1t.
I'll tell you something else," she
said. at was on that very evening
that this woman came to me with her
dreadful story"
"Before | came I'm, SUPPOSED"
"Yes. and before Rollin came, too"
Stanley managed smile. Re
markable coincidence, wasn't it?"
81 take it," he inquired, after a
moment, in businesslike tone, 'that
you no longer believe this woman's
story?"
SHOULD | be here IL | did,"
81 suppose not. But what has
changed your mind?"
81 don't quite know. But for some
time the conviction has been growing
on me that a terrible injustice has
been done you"
"Yes-and not only me-"
81 have sent my mind back over
my friendship with you. I've re-
minded myself that never in all my
iife-even when we were children to-
gether-have known you to do any
thing that wasn't kind or generous
or decent. And | can't believe that
such man ever becomes scoun.
drel overnight, no matter what the
evidence"
"Do you wish to hear me deny it,"
he asked.
"Nol mol Nor she exclaimed,
with vehemence. Then her voice fell
suddenly to a murmur. 81 only wish
to make you feel that so far as I'm
concerned | am once again your de
voted and affectionate friend"
He did not look at her, nor she at
him. Her eyes were full of tears; his
own were luminous.
Gently, at last, he touched her hand
where it lay upon her lap. and said:
"Thanks. Before this night is over
hope to justify your confidence
abundantly."
Instantly she had sense that
something of tremendous import lay
behind his words. "What do you
mean?" she asked
He rose, went to the desk, found
cigarette, lighted It, and said: "YOu
shall see!" And he added in quite
different tone as he glimpsed figure
in the doorway:
ooh, no, don't mind its being rath-
er isolated here. You see All.
here's the late Mr.. Waterman"
Sorry" said the latter, as he en-
tered.
"Oh, It doesn't matter-Doris and
have been going over old times bit.
Too bad we're only three tonight, but
these mothers. you knOw!"
whats that?" inquired Waterman
Jim explained his sisters predica-
ment.
"Too bad" said Rolin where's the
Swami? ! haven't seen him since
lunch"
1.-THE Swami" answered Stanley,
has begun fast-bread and water
for week. He mortifies the flesh
every so often"
"Well." was Waterman's comment,
"if were going to mortify the
flesh"
(which you are not" interrupted
Doris.
IF ! were going to mortify the
flesh." continued her husband. ignor-
ing the interruption, 81 shouldn't pick
out time when there was cook in
the house as good as yours That
wOman's wonder"
Jefferson having entered with
tray of cocktails. Waterman punctu.
ated his remark by lifting his glass
and remarking, Here's a gol'
"Just minute" said Stanley. 1--WE
can do better than that, | think. It's
been a long time since we were all
together like this, so I'm going to
propose toast-a toast which we can
all three drink with zest. I'm sure"
He held his glass up to the light.
fixed his eyes upon the amber liquid.
Here's to our friendship" he said.
Probably no toast was ever drunk
that carried with II implications so
different TO the minds of the drink.
ers But If, for the fraction of a sec.
ond the slightest suspicion crossed
ment was tinged with irony, 1t was
only the vaguest possible impression.
Stanley beamed upon his guest
"Rolin, old boy.'s he said. "it's most
satisfactory to have you here tonight
Perhaps you may remember that just
before ! went away, to be exact, the
very night you and Doris became en-
gagged. said that when ! came home
again, you were to render me an ac-
counting? Remember that?" He fixed
his eyes on WATERWAYS.
Suddenly the latter felt slightly
chilly, but he said with reasonable
promptness. eyes, yes"
"'Make her happy said. and
when ] come back you shall render