The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-07-01

standing eyes, he felt the torture that
this man had lived through; felt 1t
to the very core of his heart, and
knew the truth of that saying that to
understand all is to forgive all. :.
"Boy Boy How am /
ever to forgive myself?" he said, as
Lee stopped in the tragic story. And
once again, his hand was on the
bowed shoulders.
Lee shook it off and sprang to his
feet.
Il don't know what's happened.
1 worked for this triumph. And
meant to enjoy it to the full. But
I can't. Something's all wrong
somewhere. !. Something's all gone
wrong.
"Or right, perhaps" said Sir John
quietly.
Jim turned from him restlessly.
81 don't know; / can't think.
1t doesn't seem triumph any more.
1t doesn't give me the pleasure
I meant it to. 1t doesn't mean
anything to me, except more ghastli-
ness and horror. Z. :" He caught a
sharp breath.
"You may as well know it all :"
he added after moment. Il married
Lucy with only loathing in my heart.
Just to be revenged. Just to
take her from you and from Ames
You can forgive yourself more
easily now. :" He laughed bro
kenly.
"You married her for thatY' said
Sir John slowly, for he had not known
of this.
PLANNED 1t all before I had ever
even formally met her. Set myself to
make her care. Made her
trust and love me.
And yes, and married her for
that. Hating her hating
you. Hating Ames. Just
out to hurt you all.
81 was mad. I suppose. :. 1t isn't
easy to go through three years such
as l went through, and keep your
mental balance. Either that. or
l am mad now. 1t all seemed
right and just enough to me when I
Schemed it. l did not think OF
her; l was hitting at you, and at
Ames, through her. But I've
paid. If it's the smallest satisfaction
to you t. know it, Sir John. I've
paid. . :" That harsh, broken note
was in his voice again, and he stopped
abruptly, turning away. There was
silence for several minutes. Then Sir
John broke out:
"Jim, 1 don't know what to say.
l don't believe it was true to
you to do that dastardly thing to my
girl. l don't believe it. 1t
was this madness of revenge.
But, my God i to think of her :"
he stopped short and after moment
went on more quietly. What
are we to do? What is there to be
done?"
'Oh, don't know! You can do as
you like with me. I'm finished.
thought that had you in my
hands, to do with you just as liked
-. But I don't seem to care enough
now. It doesn't seem to matter.
You can take Linforths. . i.
You cali take the capital I've put into
the business. Amalgamate it
with Gresham's. I'm going to
clear out. Go clean away, and
I'm not coming back :" said Lee,
with curious sort Of weary violence.
But what of Lucy? That doesn't
settle her problems, Jim. Linforths is
not going to compensate her for all
that you have put her through.
Linforths is not going to mean a rap
to me, while know that she has been
used as you have used her. :" Lee
swung round suddenly and faced
Lucy's father.
"I'll set her free" he said shortly.
'Ill give her back 70 you. A
marriage such as ours. mean,
there are circumstances in which it
isn't difficult to break the tie. :"
"You mean that you will give her
reason to divorce you? Good heavens,
how sordidl And for her above all
She's so unworldly. (. SO unmod-
ern.
ooh, she's young" broke. in Lee
She'll have a lifetime to forget
in. :"
Suppose It takes lifetime?'
Jim was silent, thinking; remember
ing Lucy's voice, remembering the
look in her eyes, as she had said that,
if it had not been for her fathers
sake, she would have died before she
offered him her love-
II think" he said slowly, "that she
is pretty we'll cured already. She has
had enough to endure, in all con-
science. Oh, don't think you
need worry about that fancy
she has lost whatever affection she
ever had for me.
"That does not sound like Lucy"
said Sir John, troubled. "And for
yourself, JIM" he went on.
Haven't you any feeling for her?
Don't you want to see her?'
"No," cried Jim sharply. For
Gods sake keep her away from me.
Tell her I'll do anything she wants
me U uo. DuI Jun udke me
see her.
"Then this is the end" said Sir
John slowly. Eat any rate for the
time We must think things over
We are too shaken to be clear about
anything now. Just promise me
one thing. jim: Don't let me lose
sight of you. Keep me informed
of your whereabouts. :"
Naturally" answered Jim. 81 have
still lot to do. ;. /. Oh, sha'n't
complicate things by turning tail and
boiling. ;"