The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-08-02

81 will come right back with It."
Delia's gray eyes grew cold and
hard. She knew Helen Morse through
and through. Helen had dropped that
five pounds of sugar on purpose just
So Alec would have TO come back with
more.
With another sigh she returned TO
her accounts She rummaged in the
drawer where her mother kept few
private memoranda, old letters and
the like There was bin missing and
she just wanted to check up on it. She
found the bill. quite sheaf of bills.
in fact. all from Alec's grocery and
all unpaid.
White. tight-lipped, with the tell
tale hills in her hand, Della marched
into her mothers presence. Mrs. Wat
kins raised her head from the pillow.
. vexation clouding her brow. She was
just dropping off into a comfortable
snooze, and likely being thus aroused.
she'd lose her afternoon nap.
Il found these unpaid grocery bills"
Della said. 81 didn't know we owed
Alec a cent. What did you do with
all the money I've given you to pay
him? Be perfectly honest and tell me.
| must know"
Il sent il 10 your brother Harry"
Mrs. Watkins said defiantIy. HE
wrote asking for help. | knew just
how hard you've always been with
him, never giving him a bit of aid
when he got into a tight corner Alec
said he'd wait for his money. He's
in love with you. If you had any
sense you'd marry him. That would
settle the account"
Della only turned and left the room.
Next morning Della walked into the
store. Alec sat at his desk, tapping
out lists of numbers on the adding
machine. She laid down a check. The
check represented every cent she had
had in the savings department of the
local hank.
"Why. what's this, Delia?" He
looked from the check to the girl.
I'm sorry you had to wait for your
pay" Della said stiffly. "Alec. please
please don't trust nous again.
Don't stop today to take orders.
Please"
whats the idea? Don't you like
me or my groceries. either"
They're both all right" Della
smiled with quivering lips. But I've
made rule. That's all. Please help
me to keep it unbroken. Alec"
Certainly" said Alec coldly.
1t was bad week. Groceries gave
out and were not replaced. for Mrs.
Watkins put her foot down. She
wouldn't buy of old Peter Perry. and
there was nobody else.
Saturday morning Della was alone
in the kitchen at work. The door
opened. In came Alec. He dumped
down upon the kitchen table great
armful of groceries.
81 didn't order theml l don't wan
them. Take them away" gasped De-
liza.
Alec leaned against the table He
looked at the girl with smile in his
clear eyes.
81 wont eat anybody's groceries but
my own. I'm coming here to board.
he said.
Della stared at him in establishment.
''I've left over to Borden's. That
last fly found in the warmed-over
potato did me-" Alec said firmly. "And
the hotel is too expensive. just met
your mother down the street and she
said she'd take me in. I'm a poor
homeless orphan. Della. You haven't
got the heart to turn me off. have yon
now?"
"It's-it's a frameup between you
and mother" Della said with sob.
81 don't want you here, L"
Alec took her in his arms. held her
powerfully, laid his clean cheek TO
hers. let her hear how his heart beat
for her.
THE only way you'll ever get rid of
me is to marry me, Della" he said.
"You can have any girl in this town
-" Della murmured
"Sure. But you're the only one l
want" returned Alec tenderly.