The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-06-16

he's missed me. Does he know I'm
hurt?"
Eyes, the papers carried the story.
I've wired him on the train to save
his tears until our wedding day."
Are we engaged, Jimmy? l can't
remember chat you've ever asked me
to marry you"
"Oh, didn't /, sweetheart"
"Never."
He rubbed his tanned chin and his
lazy eyes roved over her whimsically.
81 suppose / was afraid might speak
out of my turn, but of course when
you came stampeding into that corral
yesterday and broke the glad news to
me, I couldn't, as man of honor, pre-
tend I didn't understand you. So /
rather took it for granted"
He bent low over her and swept
he1 cheeks with his eager lips. "Still
interested in those hummer lambs.
boll-weevil and irrigation, brown
babies and cholo men and women.
heat, dust and purple lights on the
buttes at dawL and sunset, darling?"
She nodded. II can be a good part
ner, Jimmy. l never had any respon-
sibilities-and now l want so badly
to share yours-always. How are
your wounded men?"
taking an interest in life. l sent
them over a quart of thirty-year-old
Bourbon whisky friend gave me re-
Gently. Mrs. Candy is still weeping
with Joy over our engagement, and
Robbie is jealous as collie dog. He
has an idea that when we're married
he'll have to leave the ranch"
81 wouldn't even have ground
squirrel leave that ranch, Jimmy"
"Then wen keep Robbie and his
ma on the payroll"
"Does Uncle Bill know of our en-
gagementf"
Don jaime produced the telegram
and read
81 never figured on you taking over
my principal responsibility but now
that you insist OF ,ing reckless take
tip from one who knsws stop Do not
spoil her stop did that long ago
stop You are as welcome in our fam
| lily as the silence that follows a con-
gressional Grafton
"Sheepishly yours
JUNGLE BILL"
"Why does he sign himself sheep
ishly yours Jimmy dear?"
"Some far-fetched allusion to the
| sheep that brought you here, Bobby.
Just some of his gringo humor,
| imagine"
81 see." She was silent, turning his
brown, strong, useful hands, counting
| the calluses on them Hands that had
known toll and would always know 1t,
| the hands that build empires, hands
that, when folded at last in the peace
that would mean their parting, would
be kissed by lowly people and sprin-
| killed. with their tears.
at will be forever and ever. JIM
N.Y." she whispered, "and I'm so happy
and grateful"
"The Higuenes men keep their
women" he assured her gravely.
She thought Of Glenn Hackett.
"Poor DEAR" she murmured absently.
HE never had a chance" Don Jaime
assured her. with a flash of that
precedence, that clairvoyancy, that
would always make him. for Roberta,
a new, puzzling. yet wholly under
standable human being and a 10y for
| ever Yes, he would be the same al
ways, yet always new, always chal-
longing her interest, always holding
it. OF him (the girl thought) 1t might
be said that age could not wither nor
| custom stale his infinite variety.
"Pll get my guitar and sing you a
little Spanish love song my grand
mother taught me" he suggested. Its
very old. 1t came into Peru with
Pizarro and worked north. Oh. by the
way, l forgot somethingi Let's get
this on record officially. Miss Antrim.
will you do me the great honor to
| marry me?"
"You outrageous Celt," she laughed.
| you're the last of the troubadours.
Of course will"
1.-THE END.l
| Important Fisheries