The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-05-27
CHAPTER VIII-Continued


THAT was friendly of
you she said do you feel
friendly. this morning, Jim?"
He did not answer that; he went,
instead to the bell and rang for break
fast.
THAT means that you DON'T" she
said, with a little sigh.
The girl who brought in the break
fast tray, was the one Lucy had al
ready made friends with. and she was
in a talkatiye mood, if Lee was not.
As she arranged the dishes on the
table. she asked whether the storm
had disturbed their rest?
Lucy glancing quickly at Lee saw
that he coIored slightly, before an
swering, with attempted casualness:
well, of course, we heard it, all
right"
They are saying this morning. that
the big elm, down by Brady's cottage
was struck" the girl went on. where
you said you was going yesterday,
ma'am."
why. Jim, that must have been that
terrific crash :" cried Lucy.
When the girl had gone, Lee looked
across at Lucy.
III go and have a look at the tree
this morning" be said. Il was going
over there in any case"
We're you? What for?"
TO investigate this Billy Brady
business you told me of"
To investigate? Jim, don't you be-
Iieve I told you the truth about it,"
He looked at her quickly.
Yes. It's just because it was the
truth, that 1 want to find out what it
means" he said.
"Oh. l see. Jim, do you think it
has anything to do with your affairs?'
= don't know. But it's a d-n queer
happening. and looks TO me as if Billy
has gone past the point of harmless
Iunacy. He's about ready for some
sort of restraint, l should imagine"
May l come with your
"All right; if you want to-"
When a little later they were ready
TO start, a thought occurred to her and
looking up at him, she spoke it.
Isn't there a danger of your being
recognized?"
1t doesn't matter to me if l am"
he answered abruptly; and then. slow
" and deliberately: I've got Ores
hams just where l want EN-. Any
one can know who is at the back of
Linforths for all | care"
so even loving me
would not make you give up your
schemes for revenge?" she asked. eyes
and voice challenging him. He re-
turned her look steadily and answered
without a falter:
Even that would not"
The words sounded in her ears ike
a sudden knell She felt. then, that
she knew the nethermost deeps of
hopelessness. She had hoped every
thing of love; had believed in it's
power 10 vanquish all evils But even
that was pOwerless against him. What.
then, was left to her? What more
could she do?
Then shall we go?" she asked
aloud. as steadily as she could.
He agreed with a nod
'We won't take the car" he decided,
and so they went on the street car,
as she had, yesterday.
AS soon as they turned into Brady's
lane, they saw the riven and twisted
shape of the stricken elm. II had
been struck as il stood; and though
some of its branches upon one side
were bare and charred, on the other,
half-burnt leaves and twigs still re-
manned.
1--WE heard that happen" said Lucy,
as they stood looking at it. shall you
ever forget the crash of it,"
"No." he said. shortly. Il don't think
I shall"
But that nice little cottage hadn't
anything to do with the bad luck of
poor old Mother Brady" she went on.
"She would have had the same luck
anywhere"
Would /, too?" he demanded.
Jim: you don't think the cottage
had anything to do with it. do your"
NO, don't. / think Macklin had
a good deal to do with il: and Oliver
Ames: and John Gresham" he an
swered through grim lips.
Il am quite willing TO admit John
Gresham's part in it." she said quietly.
They went on toward the cottage
Can we get into il, Jim?" Lucy
asked. II want to see the room you
used TO live in. The place you knew
as home
I'VE can find out" he answered, as
he pushed open the gate and followed
her into the weedy garden.
Lucy tried the door, but it was
locked.
"Old Mother Brady used to hang
the key up here" said Lee, cropping
among the ivy above the Intel And,
BY Jove.' be exclaimed. -'it's here
stiIl' He produced the key, fitted it
into the lock, and, rather TO his sur
prise. found that it turned compare
lively easily.
II thought il would be rusted solid
he observed, as he pushed the door
open and led the way into the main
sitting room After the fashion Of old
cottages. there was no hall
where were your roomsT' asked
Lucy. looking round her.
Upstairs he told her, and went
first to show her the way. The rooms
were empty, but she made him tell her