The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-02-22

! tried TO 90. ] missed the boat i
may be ashamed. God knows ] am.
but it's no business of yours or any
body else"
Sues face flushed. When she spoke
again, her voice was calmer.
Erickson. where did you find Mr..
belongs packetr
''Up the beach,"
"Was il buried?"
"What makes you ask that?"
"You told Mr.. belong that some one
else found 1t, and he told me. he told
me more than that He said that he
knew who did it. Did you tell him?''
sNo."
"Who did bury it?"
"You try to find out, Miss Sue. Ask
your father, or Sutton, or Parish, or
Baker maybe some Of them
KNOW
Il did ask Baker"
"And what did he say?"
HE saw you hide il. Then you be-
came scared nothing unusual in
that =. and you dug IT up again
Norman looked unsurpassed. That's
a real neat explanation. What does
belong think of that?"
Think? He thinks you're a little
tin skipper on wheels"
I'm glad some one does"
But what he thinks makes no diff
ference. | want TO know whether you
or Ed Baker told the truth?"
'Oh. Baker, of course" Norman
said
Sue Stocking bit her lip.
@You had better get another berth,
Erickson. You don't belong on q
light.
Norman raped the iron rain with
his knuekies.
"No, Miss Sue. I've changed my
mind about quitting"
It'll take more than changing to
keep you herel My father win make
his report"
The assistant keeper shrugged. His
tongue never could argue so readily
as hers; its best was none too good.
But some day he'd tell her. He would
tell her she was a meddling young
woman, a chunk of January ice. q girl
no Erickson would take a second look
at. And some day before ne left Blind
Mans Eye, he would bring Julie
Richaud. and ask Sue Stocking TO look
at a nice. agreeable. red-cheeked farm
Girl ont of the (,anad8S
he planted his boots soIidly. He
was conscious that she was staring
at him. He could stay on deck as
long as she could And keep just as
silent
"Norman!" Sue spoke impulsiyeIy.
.Well?"
"Mr. belongs bundle of deeds, or
whatever they were :"
.Oh, IN sick of it"
-Was ii Ed Baker who buried II n
"rm not telling" Norman said
firmly.
$50 II was Ed BakerI Well, that
settles hint"
She brushed past him abruptly and
lei herself down the ladder to the
lamp room. Norman followed slowly
down the ladder.
Something stirred at the top OF the
steps. He moved over cautiously.
Standing in the corner, her head bent
upon her arm. her arm against the
wall. was Sue Stocking weep.
ing.
whats the matter?" he asked She
did not speak. He touched her arm.
whats wrongT
.Oh, amI'' she sobbed I'm such
a fool n
mo. you're not"
Il am There's Mr.. Delong
He understands people. Norman. he
told me you were all right said you
had a queer inheritance, but you'd
come out all right must have been
blind. or terribly stupid. Norman. I'm
sorry for all said. trusted Baker.
I've known him a long time, | be
lieyed him. Now | see :"
Il don't get you"
And thai fishy Suttonl Dad In
clSlC0 was o4llO1 w nO Hi
Baker the first night You got the
blame for IL. And now this other
business, this bundle of papers II
wasn't you found them and opened
them. You didn't have to dig them
up and bring them In this man
was nothing TO you. You did II be
cause your honest -. oh. why did
you bawl at that dog?"
She collapsed on the shadowy step.
Norman leaned down and touched her
hair gently. The girl sobbed. he
could not see her face. She lifted il
suddenly and looked at him. Norman
stopped down, put his arm around her
tight. and LET go quickly.
He had kissed Sue Stocking, when
all the time she cried be was think
ing of Julie Richaud.
norman, Norman" she whispered
tearfuIly. and fed down the stair.
he leaned dizzily on the edge of the
work table after he heard her slam
the door, and waited for the strength
to come back TO his knees. Why had
he kissed Sue Stocking 49, Sue
Stocking of all the girls on earth? he
certainly had not meant to. He did
nothing he meant TO.
They SAT al supper when Ed Baker
went by on beach patrol. he hallooed
and paused at the door. Sue arose
and walked stiffiy outside with him.
She ran In, directly. with her cheeks
cool and colorless- On her lips she
wore the straight hard twist she re-
served for anger.
"Baker didn't stay TO eat with us?"
Captain Stocking demanded
81 didn't ask him"
"Ehf-
81 didn't ask him." Sue repeated.
81, "a. a. \