The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-03-04


quest, rose into the summer night sky.
She had made il easy And he was
not going TO forego one smallest ele
ment of his victory. He caught her
into his loveless arms. and crushed
her quivering. yielding lips beneath
his own.
He let her go, presently. rose
abruptly, and took few striding turns
across the little lawn. He hao drunk
deep OF the heady cup of victory and
needed a moment TO steady himself
So far, he had won all along the line;
but his plans were as yet really only
set in train. They were far from be-
ing accomplished He must not say.
must not do, one single thing 20
jeopardize them. Still. he might allow
himself the luxury of taking all that
this first moment OF triumph could
give
AS abruptly as he had left her. he
now came back and sat beside her
again. He did not kiss her. nor take
her into his arms. He wanted the
satisfaction that words could give him
and demanded if with quiet intensity.
"You love me?" The question came
through tight lips. SAY it. Say the
very words. Tell me :" he in
sisted in the same curious, tense way.
There was something fiercely master
full in his voice and manner.
Il love you" she whispered do
you need assurance of that?"
TELL me that you're mine.
That I've won you. Taken you
from :" he stopped to draw
sharp breath. From all the rest Of
the worIG of men" he finished, with
a queer laugh.
Something in the demand brought
back to her memory the hateful sug-
gestion that Jocelyn had made about
him. There was so much in his man.
ner that seemed the sheer desire for
conquest
She put out wifi little hands.
caught his big shoulders, and turned
his face so that the moonlight showed
it plainly.
Are you miner" she countered
softly.
The question took him aback. His
dark eyes looked down into hers. His
hands clenched tight. At the back of
his brain warning was sounding, tell
ing him not TO let his victory sweep
him off his feet.
do you need assurance of thatT
There was a tremor in his voice
brought there by the guard he was
setting on himself
It swept all thought of Jocelyn from
her mind, and brought her face near
to his own.
81 am yours entirely" she said ten
derly. yours for always. Why
should you ask"
His arms went round her quickly.
"Just to hear you say it. Just
to hear you say it !" he answered her.
When later they were going back
toward the house, he said:
$50 and dance again. I'm going to
find your father
ITO tell him?" she asked.
Yes. To tell him." he replied.
They went up onto the veranda and
parted at the long glass doors.
Lees method of breaking the news
to Lucy's father was characteristic.
He found Sir John lowering around on
the outskirts of the gaiety, stood
squarely before him and said:
Il want TO marry your girl. sir.
Will you take me somewhere quiet,
r-ha -olt
An interview followed in the L.
brary, where Lee, earlier in the eve
ming. had found Lucy hiding. or rather,
as Sir John was fond of saying after
ward. il was less an interview, than
holduD, with Lee as the highway
man; himself the victim; and Lucy.
the prize. The highwayman won and
went presently to find Lucy TO tell
her that her father wanted TO see her.
rs il all right?' she asked. looking
up shade anxiously into Lees face.
do you think I'd let it be anything
else?" he answered. She laughed hap
PLY, put her little hand into his big
one and gave it shy little squeeze as
she went by him. on her way to her
father.
It was a radiant-eyed Lucy who
came to Sir John a few minutes later,
and put her arms light round his neck.
whispering rapturously:
"Oh, daddy. think I'm the happiest.
Iuckiest girl in the whole wide world.
| couldn't help il about Oliver, dad
DIV | tried and tried to think
and decide, but this just happened
:. all in moment. Out Of moth
ing. 1 didn't have to think :.
l Just knew. Just like you knew
about mother. darling. :"
He held her close and fondly and
there was a CULVER in the humor Of
| his tone as he said after a long mo-
ment:
Yes. sweetheart. I'm not accusing
you of holding the family speed
They laughed together, a touch
shakily.
II was getting along toward dawn.
when the birthday festivities ended,
and most of the guests had faded
| homeward
Lee was standing close before Lucy
| In the deserted ballroom, saying:
Tomorrow wen go together, and
get ring; a large one. so that every
one will see at first sight that !.
| you're mine"
She looked up at him, laughing soft
ly. 81 think I'd like little one bet
ter" she said, $50 that just you and /
| will know"