The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1930-03-07
The Short and
Long of 1t
BY DORA NOLAN


fashion and. oh. so economical! Rob-
ert Corbin, who occupied the large
front room on the second floor OF Mrs.
Beebe's roomlng house. at the other
end # the long hall from nisa's small
one, could remember when his sister
had graduated from high school in
the glory of long full train and the
awe and admiration which II had ex-
cited IL his own small self. Right
then Robert had decided that his wife
should wear a train-always.
Alas for his vow! AS his life
heightened, skirts shortened, yet he
still dreamed of some day asking
some girl IL be might buy hei skirt
material by the yard instead of by
the inch.
There was one skirt In particular
which Elsa wore. Robert disliked IL
exceedingly. Bright green plaid. and
with II she carried a bright green
leather bag. Surely money trusted
to the keeping Of such purse was
bound to lose all sense Of RESPONSE
bllity and come popping gayly forth
at the first silly inducement.
And then one day Robert Corbin,
returning to his room at noon. ran
up the stairs and, stumbling on the
top one, dropped his key. The hall
in that particular spot was dark. He
struck a match and found the key
with little trouble. II had fallen be.
side a bright green bag.
In his room, with the door closed
behind him, Robert sat with the bag
on his knees. It was shabby NJ the
corners and the handle was worn
from much contact with Elsa's fingers.
Robert felt a sudden impulse to kiss
that worn spot, and was so embar.
raised that he opened the clasp quite
without meaning to dc so and beheld ;
its contents. Two dimes, one nickel,
a mirror and a powder pun! Fit
cargo. indeed. for such travesty OF
a purse!
He would leave 1t with Mrs. Beebe.
No, he would knock on the girls door.
Halfway down brought him within
range of the landlady's strident voice,
which seemed TO be always striving
to attain the heights her stature
lacked.
81 hope you find your bag, Miss
David-and the eight dollars you say
was in it-before Saturday night, or
I advise you to look for another ROOM"
"You can't hope so any more than
l, Mrs. Beebe." II there was doubt
ing Thomas tone In the iandIady's
voice there was rueful note In
Elsa's.
Right here Robert COrbin expert
enced his second impulse regarding
that green bag-and yielded. Pausing
long enough to take something from
his pocket and to tumble with the
clasps, he continued on down the hall.
"This is yours. | think. Miss David
Elsa took the bag and her voice
said, "Why, thank you, Mr. Corbin J"
But her eyes seemed to say that out
of a world filed with stupid and
clumsy men, he was the most clumsy
and stupid of all.
sNow that you have found your
money perhaps you will be good
enough to pay me-" shrilled Mrs.
Beebe. And as Elsa stood irresolute.
"You don't suspect Mr.. COrbin's hon.
esty, hopper"
With a countenance devoid OF all
expression Elsa opened the green bag
and looked in. without lifting her
eyes she took out a ten-dollar bill and
handed It to the landlady. Meanwhile
Robert took the opportunity to go on
his way.
That evening as Robert COrbin sat
in his comfortable, shabby easy chair
there came q knock and with vision
Of an outrageous green skirt before
his eyes the occupant Of front
room hastened to answer 1t. But
there stood the princess Of his boy
hood dreams! willOwy, gracious
creature CARRIED in something soft and
clinging and silken and white whose
indefinite folds concealed and revealed
and which, IL It did not terminate I'm
an actual train, at least touched or
nearly touched the floor In spots.
"May I come inland explain-and
thank your" asked Elsa David as she
crossed to the worn old easy chair.
which Immediately took on the at
tributes of throne. Finding Roberts /
gaze somewhat disconcerting but be-
traying her embarrassment only by
an increase Of color. the girl began:
"Ever since I was a child and de-
voured fairy tales I have iOnged for
a train, but when I grew up enough
to wear one there weren't any. Now
they say long skirts are coming back
into their own again. saw this
frock in a shop windOw-and fell. 1t
took my last cent and I threw my bag
into that dark corner purpOsely 90 as
to have q quarter way truthful ex-
cuse for Mrs. Beebe when she came to
dun me. Now thank you for coming
to my rescue 30 calamity, Mr.. Cor
bin, and think your worst Of me. OF
course wifi pay you back as soon
as possible"
"Go out and put ON that gypsy rig
II you expect me to scold you." spake
Robert with his tongue. white his eyes
said plainly: "You are beautiful In
that gown-like the princess dreamed
of when was little boy. wonder7
Could perhaps persuade you to make
that old dream Of mine come true3"
"I'll do just as you wish," an
-swered Elsa meekly, and then. as II
reading his thoughts she fed down
the hall urged by that primeval In
stinct that needs not changing fash
ions aid endures through the ages.
(Copyrightl
Asbsstos Known to Aneisats
The name .asbestosr n derived from