The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1930-09-05
-ooOOoOOOOOO OOoOOCCOOOo
OFF TO THE
PICNIC AT
CAVE
By
LAURA MONTGOMERY
'G bv d. J. Walsh.N
((T7HANKS, just the same"
repeated Sally.
81 can't see why you ought

repeated Sally:
81 can't see why you ought
to want to go about and
meet all your old friends"
Sally's smile held touch of wist-
fulnesS. The young widow had come
bark to her home town to teach school
again, and she sometimes found the
well-meant efforts of her neighbors
somewhat of trial. Edna, for in
stance, seemed to take exception to a
closed door, and so Sally had little
time TO herself.
Old Steve put on his best suit for
the holiday and he now sat forward
In his rocker, a great eagerness flush.
ing his thin face. "Well, if Sally
doesn't want to go, Martha, that leaves
vacant seat. COuldn't-wOuldnt you
like me to 90 along? I'll help set out
the lunch and" he gulped here, his
eyes growing bright with hope as his
daughter made no reply. I'D certain
Iy enjoy hearing the band play and
seeing the flags"
"At your age. Nonsense"
"Oh," said Martha'S father sorrow
fully. 81 wouldn't have made mite
of trouble and do want TO hear that
march the town band has been prac'
ticing for tine picnic"
Although ii was only eight O'Clock
the day was intensely warm. The
heat seemed TO hang on the sultry air
L,t do Vol t,fc
balls ache. She smiled over at the
fOrlOrn figure in the rocking chair.
81 didn't know you were going to stay
at home here alone, Mr., Simmons.
I'm glad | stayed because now I'll get
your luncheon for you"
at wouldn't have hurt Martha to
have taken me-" He turned away his
gaze swiftly and the girl suspected
it was TO hide a suspicious dimness
CT sure would enjoy the day out al
! Sweetheart's Cave"
Sally felt pang of compassion.
Poor old Steve still retained senti-
mental feeling for that place beside
| the Fox river. Sally herself had once
| listened TO sweetheart there. listened
and accepted and then had come the
quarrel. Red Blake had left town the
night she gave him back the cheap lit
tie ring with the turquoise set with
the pearl and garnet.
81 kissed Belinda there" unused
Steve, his chin trembling with the
pathetic disappointment of an aged
one who welcomes each anniversary
with mingled JOY and fear-fear lest
it he the last one.
Sally ciosed the magazine that lay
open in Aer lap and her brown eyes
grew determined. She thrust back the
thought of the peaceful day she'd
planned and got to her feet. I'm
going to put up lunch, Mr.. Simmons,
and, if you have an extra flag any
where that the family overlooked, you
just tine it. We're going to the picnic
at Sweetheart Cave"
Incre dulOusly the dim eyes searched
the blooming face. "YOu mean you'll
| o. with me? Martha will be mad
she limited that | ought to take of
this good suit and clean out the chick
en- yard. She-she amt so easy to
get along with after she's been mad. VI
"Vlell chance it." answered Sally
rechlessly, her cheeks growing red. 81
guess We can take our pleasure as we
like. The chicken yard can be cleaned
any time"
So it was that the only buggy left
in the livery. stable was occupied by
the pair. Sally had spent the So she
had saved for new gloves on the anti
uuated rig that brought cheers and
gibes from the motor cars flying past
But, as she saw the thin. erect figure
at her side and the happy old face
she didn't regret the gift of her day
nor the vanishing gloves. Old Steve
waved grandly to his neighhors and
kept unfurling the flag he had
brought.
IAN auto is all right if you're in a
hurry" he said. quite as though Sally
had begun an argument, "but, fol
sheer comfort. give me nag every
time. Belinda used to like buggy
They were jogging along country
road that was being used as detOur
while bridge was being built. Sally
too. was thinking of other years. and
the reins lay slackly in her hands.
From behind them came speeding
car that rocked wildly over the humpy
road and the horse. startled from his
sOmnolent reverie. threw mp his head
and swerved sharply into the ditch
Sally's head struck the corner of q
cement culvert and, with a scream
she drifted off into Inconsistencies
Then she dreamed that she was back
again in that carefree time when pie
MICS meant unalloyed joy. and faint