The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-03-30

L lost patience at the unceaSlnS queS-
tions.
as this the catechism, or what?"
finally snapped at Daisy Abbott.
Daisy shifted in an injured manner,
and glanced at Mr.. Dibdin, who looked
at me as If he considered me very
cruel and rough.
81 guess we have a right to talk
about what happens right before our
eyes, especially if it's awfully queer"
she murmured plaintively. "At least,
you heard her say, Keep it! Keep 1t
for me! Now, is it ridiculous to won
der what that meant?"
had actually forgotten that cry of
distress, temporarily, in the ensuing
turmoil! Daisy certainly hit me amid
ships, and that time / knew the an
swer.
You must think we're mind-read-
ers!' retorted. Now, / can't waste
any more time talking. ! must finish
that indexing. Thank goodness / got
it nearly done before this rumpus hap
pened"
l sped down the side aisle to my
desk. But oh, my work! Where was
it? Where were those neat piles of
classified cards?' On the floor, in the
aisle, everywhere except on the desk
But there was no time for wondering
why, or even for vexation. Seooping
them all up as fast as l could, made
for the desk, only to find note stuck
between two of my reference books.
1t read as follows:
81 am ordered to the rear; other
wise, to go this afternoon and buy
from two old ladies, whose GRANDPA
Their was bishop, his professional Ii
brary (date about 1S40) at reason
able figure
IL have one final request. l had no
time this morning toStell you that Mr..
Roberts has just given Nancy the po-
sition he promised her. She is here.
therefore; Miss Wilkes Is in charge.
Would you add to your innumerable
benefits, and go some time or other
and speak agreeably to my Inflated
sister? PETER"
Poor Peter Il would do better than
that, / resolved, recalling the pretty
young vision with the chestnut hair
whom l had seen entering that morn
ing with Miss Wilkes. / decided to
eat, not work, even for Mr.. Darrow's
nephew; l would take Nancy Burton
with me, in celebration of her first day
in business. stuffed all the cards
into drawer; and went in search of
her.
Through the open door of the steno-
graphic department came Miss Wilkes
metallic accents, in exhortation:
Don't forget that nice dark blue
serge we were talking about, dear. To-
morrow, dear, and not more than eight
inches off the floor. That will be all
now, dear"
As i walked in, l heard the reply
to those observations. 1t was a faint
yet distinctly audible snort proceed
ing out of the straight, chiseled nose
belonging to the tall young lady of
the short wavy chestnut tresses. She
was standing in front of Miss Wilkes
desk, her height and slenderness ac-
centuated by bright apple-green
knitted frock whose straight lines
ceased not less than fourteen inches
from the floor, above footgear COM
posed Of as many as three patent
leather straps, through which peeped
pale-peach chiffon-weight stockings.
The large blue eyes of the imperturb-
able face above the round white collar
stared as unremittingly at Miss Wilkes
as those of young baby. The red,
red mouth was beautifully shaped and
firmly closed.
Miss Wilkes greeted me with sweet
suspicion.
Come in, dear. What is it?"
Il beg your pardon! Has Miss Bur-
ton gone to luncheon?"
II am Miss Burton" swiftly an
nounced the apple-green young lady in
clear, shrill voice, transferring her
unremitting gaze to my face, "and I
was supposed 10 be gone to lunch
long time ago."
"Then won't you go with me? My
name is Constance Fuller"
81 know all about you," said Nancy
Burton. "All right. I'll come"
She was speedy withdrawer; we
were on the street in twinkling. 1
cast about for a diverting topic.
Lets 60 to Ernesto's for lunch I'm
sure you'll enjoy it. They have such
good things to eatv'
'That 500"
"And Ernesto is a famous local
character. He owns one of the incest,
oldest houses on this island. He not
only has restaurant downstairs, but
he lives in the house, and rents some
floors as apartments"
Nancy Nodded.
"How do you think you'll like your
work." l pursued faithfully.
"All right. Say" she broke out sud-
denly, scattering social amenities to
the winds, 'if you hadn't come in that
minute, I'd have murdered that Wilkes
woman! 1 hate womenl Though ycu,"
she was pleased to add, "are an excep-
ton. Do you know about my STEP
mother?"
II have only just heard of your
fathers marriage"
'There's another woman for you!
She said i couldn't be respectable! Lis
ten, Miss Fuller: did you know /
eloped?"
1 didn't know whether to laugh or
cry, the girl was so pretty and clever
looking and precocious and neglected
and at the same time there was a wild
streak of humcr in her blue eyes that