The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-09-01

yves. Jean was, indeed, an altogether
delightful bit of scenery.
Today as her fingers ratified over
the typewriter keys, her eyes con-
stantly sought the clock. She wanted
to be sure of finishing her work early ;
Bud Randall had phoned and asked
her to meet him for lunch.
AS they smoked over their coffee
Bud became oddly silent and fidgety.
Jean wondered Flows the bond bust
ness?" she asked?" "Been selling any
lately"
"a few" he answered. "But let's
not talk about that. Listen. honey.
I've got swell fdea-abOut US. I'm
crazy about you, Jean, and you-like
me. don't you?"
lyon know | do, Bud"
"Well, look here" Bud went on,
leaning acrOsss the table, we're both
free till Monday morning, so what
d'you say we push off somewhere for
the week-end?"
A puzzled expression came over
Jeans pretty face
Don't look shocked" Bud said.
"We're both of us old enough to do
What we want to-"
1t was like a slap in the face to
Jean. AT length she said, Let me
get this straight. You're not asking
me to sneak off with you like some
cheap little cutie. are your
why put it like that. Jean? There's
nothing cheap about it. We'd register
as Mr.. and Mrs Something or other.
Lots of people get away with it-why
shouldn't WEI"
Because I'm not that kind. And
please don't say another word about it. !"
Bud rubbed out his cigarette and
spoke again. 81 s'pose you don't like
me enough" he said. That's about
the size of it."
Don't be silly. Bud. like you an
awful lot and you know it. but
couldn't fall for that. Think how bad
~ I'd feel about it afterwards! My
self-respect would drop to zero and
stay there"
"For Pete's sake!" Bud exclaimed.
THAT'S the hooey they put in books
but I never thought anyone took 1t
seriously"
us that how you look at it," Jean
asked.
"Surei Why not?"
"All right" Jean picked up her
handbag and rose. THAT washes us
up" She walked away.
Sunday seemed interminable.
On Monday morning the streams of
hurrying people on the streets restored
Jean almost to normal optimism. 1t
was fine to get to the Office and hear
the noisy chatter of the girls and to re-
ceive Mr.. Roper's friendly smile as he
went past her desk to his Office. Jean
was Mr. Roper's secretary.
AS the weeks went by Jean grew to
hate leaving the office at night and GO
ing back TO her room.
A bright moment in the monotony of
her existence came when Mr.. Roper in
vited her to a theater. She splurged
herself to a new dress. 1t was great
evening.
Ii rather surprised her when, hav-
ing taken dictation for an hour two
days later. Mr. Roper said, "Oh, Jean,
I've got tickets for the horse show
tonight-it's the big jumping night.
If you're doing nothing else l thought
you might care TO come with me?"
"Pd adore it." she said.
They dined leisurely, then went on
and Joined the throng of well-dressed
people watching splendid horsefesh
in action. Jean was thrilled.
by the way. Jean." said Roper dur
ing the lull in the performance. ~
told my Jap to fix us bite of sup
per. Would you mind coming back TO
my experimentation few minutes?"
The sparkle died out of jeans. eyes.
what for?" she asked.
Just TO talk about something-and
have a drink and a bit of food"
"Oh. all right" Jean said after
moment. and looked toward the arena
again. But she was seeing nothing
there; she was thinking bitterly.
AS they stepped into the apartment
she caught sight of a table set for
two. There were orchids on it, and
the gold top of champagne bottle pro-
truded from a silver bucket Shed
seen that sort of thing in the movies.
Roper took her wrap. They sat
down. both i'll at ease, and drank the
wine while pretending to eat.
Suddenly violent desire to get out
of that place came over Jean.
II must go now" she said.
"Oh, not yet" Roper protested. 81
got you to come her for special pur-
pose-it was the only spot could
think of where we'd be quite alone"
"Well-what is it?" Jean asked
YEARLY.
Il wanted to ask you toto marry
me-"
Jean looked at him with wide sur
prised eyes.
I'm desperately in love with you.
JEAN" he went on.
Jean continued to look at him with
out speaking.
"What is it, Jean?" he asked Don't
you like me?"
Tears came to Jeans eyes and her
mouth quivered. Jack Roper took her
in his arms and kissed her very ten
derby.
But why the tears just now, sweet
hearth" he asked few moments later
"Oh, ! don't know. DEAR" she said,
fal-ino his hnf
her hands. Women cry about queer
things sometimes. Youth learn that"
Meaning of "Silly"
There are Several ENGLISH words