The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-08-18
CHAPTER TX

John Belknap did not go downward
with the rest of the crew He turned
I'm the other direction and followed
the road past the last lighted habita
ton. The sheriff was there. driving
his team slowly up and down. waiting
Get in," he said gruffly, and lifted
the robe to make room beside him.
Settled there beside the hulking
figure, John listened attentively while
the sheriff told what he had to tell.
1T amt so much" he said but he
drum with this fellow. Cases have
hung on smaller things than that
When we get the stomach analysis
Wen know whether he's lynn about
the mans bein' boOzed up or not"
And what about the old job?" John
asked. when he had finished.
Smooth as silk! Saw Saunders
this afternoon and he's tickled pink
Says that Gorbel has pulled off a lot
of saws and that il amt any chOre
at all now, to keep Ellen in logs. It's
all sweet as shortcake in the neigh
bOrhoOdr'
(which makes it look worse for me.
AS quick as land there HI starts
to pop. When I'm discovered and sent
up the road, trouble subsidies !"-bit.
terly. He's smart. GOrbelr"
Smart in some ways!" the other
chuckled. WAS over in our town
the other night; tried to see Ellen at
her house. She wouldn't have it md
her housekeeper told how he ham,
mered on the door and beggedw
John moved uneasily.
HE used to be sweet on her, all
right, and it looked for a time, before
her daddy died, like she was goin' to-
reciprocate, or whatever you call it.
But it's different now. Yeah.
smart in some ways! He's made 1t
look bad for you for a time but,
Johnny, Saunders is for you, all ways;
SO are the rest of Ellen's boys. They
don't understand it all, no more than
you and | do. but they'd go to hi for
you. every last one of 'emp ~
They would Warmly. BLESS 'em
al, they would! But but Miss
Richards. She'll be thinking
just what we've agreed is the logical
thing to think; that l caused the
trouble and when she let me go trouble
went with me-"
The sheriff nodded.
Tough" He turned to stare at
John In the darkness. 81 get you, son.
Women's ways are hard for a man to
follow. But | notice we keep tryin'
and tryin' and sometimes we get
the hang of 'em!"
A world of understanding and SYM
pathy and encouragement came with
the tone and John left the sheriff with
spirits higher than they had been for
days.
He was restless after his supper
that night. This was Saturday and
the whole town was gathering at the
recreation hall for the weekly dance.
He found himself. despite his indiffer-
ence, strolling up the steps of the
recreation hall. He stood looking into
the big room through the glass. The
music was fair, the place filed with
young and old. revealing In the amuse-
ment his father had provided. They
thought that they owed Paul Gorbel
for such advantages and John went a
bit hot. Old Tom had done that!
Couples swirled past. Girls and
women looked at him significantly. He
saw one whisper to her partner and
the man looked at John and nodded
ona ua mos mo rI,od
The dance ended. he turned to see
a girl watching from seat near the
door.
She smiled and he bowed, though
he did not remember ever having seen
her. She rose quickly. and came
towards him, skirts swaying grace
fully about her thighs.
81 guess you don't remember me,
Mr.. Belknap" she said. "rm Marie
Varnell. l used to be in the Chicago
office"
"Oh!" he said, taken aback. II
guess it's one on me. In place
where there are so many od-.ooking
boy from the woods if he gets con-
fused, can your
She laughed.
Good line! l didn't expect you to
remember me, thought"
A specimen of a definite city type,
he saw: her clothing, her makeup, her
bold manner.
"And how long have you been here?"
he asked.
Fourteen months now"
''In the Office, supposeT
"Yes"
The orchestra struck up.
"Well," she said, Il guess better
get back to the girls"
"Oh can't we dance, Them"
Her smile flashed. She had achieved.
Since leaving the university he had
danced little. but from the first few
steps he realized that this stenographer
was an exceptional dancer. Light. re-
sponsive. supple, graceful. they thread
ed the swirl of less adroit couples in
silence.
She turned her face towards him.
very close.
I'm glad you came" she said. and
he did not catch the peculiar quality
of her tone.
$50 am 1! This is the first time I've
danced"