The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-03-16

| pose none of you objects to his con-
sulting me? If so. it's little late,
for you've known he did II for years."
Charlie is quite different type
| from this desperate" Having seen
him, Laura took position of au-
thority. 1.-THE rest of you haven't had
chance to study him. but I have. He
was very dangerous looking black
| guard"
"A lamb In VOLTS clothing them"
Smif said carelessly. II assure you
that he Is entirely harmless and l like
him. like him very much"
you're not going to marry him |
hopper" Louise inquired, ever ready
| to suspect a love affair.
"A great deal could be said in favor
of such a course. believe he's rich.
All gunner are. aren't they? But ]
| must acknowledge that there are GER
tain obstacles between my true love
and me. For one thing. he doesn't like
fat people"
$50 that's why you are reducing"
Laura interrupted, quick as flash. II
thought there wasn't one word Of truth
In that preposterous story about the
enormous woman. You simply want
to please this man."
"Great Judge of human nature,
aren't you, LauraT Sniff was sorry
now that she had introduced her gun
man into the conversation. LET'S stop
fencing and get down to business
This. gather is sortie In force In
tended to appeal to my better nature.
| Well. the sooner you make up your
| minds that have no better nature
the sooner you'll agree that there's
nothing to be done but to smile at my
harmless foibles"
Its all very well to talk" Laura
said tartly. "We know you have what
might vulgarly be called the gift of
the CAB. You can't get over the fact
| that you're our sister and that II Is
bound to reflect on US If people take
to saying you're queer. For our sakes,
you ought to give up this crazy bust
ness. We're entirely ready to make
it up to you" She paused to observe
the effect of this offer.
Smif sat immobile. not even bother
Ing to shake her head In the negative.
| When she spoke there was finality In
her words.
"You none of you move with the
times. | grant you that the Virginia
| Of our childhood might think my occu-
patton strange. although even there
I'd be forgiven the moment they
learned why I wanted the money. My
only objection to having this city hear
| all about my business, aside from my
regard for your prejudices, is the fear
| that | might have imitators; and
don't want that, at least not until I've
made enough to redeem Lovelylea."
"I've said before, and | say again,
that's nothing short of an obsession
with you, Sniff" Laura sent an APP
pealing glance at her. wont you
| listen to reason?"
"'Fraid not" Smif set her face 81
was born stubborn. | must have Love
lylea back. When | do. perhaps I'll
be satisfactory sister again."
But, Sniff dear, aren't you simply
wasting what little money you have
left In this weird enterprise? OF
| course, I'm practical person. l
| wouldn't expect you to be making a
fortune yet. Only. what prospect is
there that you ever will?"
Lucy was interested in the answer
to her question. which was slow in
| coming. Sniff gathered up her gloves
and purse and paid the check as If she
had not heard Then she rose.
Forgive me. darlings, I'm poor
hostess. | simply have to rush. I've
| an engagement this evening"
"a business engagement" Louise
| inquired.
Indirectly, yes" Sniff smiled down
at her best loved sister. eff you've
not decided to disown me, maybe I'll
come out to Long Island on Sunday.
Anyhow kiss the offspring for me. Es-
| pecially Neddy."
| you're avoiding my question, Sniff"
said Louise, "and insist that 1t Is en-
inently practical and one to which we
have a right to expect straightfor-
ward answer. Is there any prospect
of a reasonable return on what you
have already expended? If finally you
are stranded, you must see that we
will all wish to help you out of your
difficulties, and time for preparation
for such an eventuality would enable
us to act more effectively"
Whatever Smif's feelings, she man.
aged to conceal them behind an indif-
ferent manner. She loved her sisters
and had made up her mind to avoid
quarrel at no matter what cost to
her pride.
LET me set your mind at rest. My
business is already established on a
paying basis. This morning de-
posted a fee of five thousand dollars
and am to have as much more when
the transaction is closed. 1t looks as
though | would escape becoming a
public charge"
She left them speeches.. Lucy, her
bitterest opponent, was the first to
rally:
/ sits perfectly plain what she's do
Ing" she declared. sits what we all
thought of first. She's a bootlegger,
and the man with the horseshoe was
probably looking for a job as her body
guard. They all have to have them, ]
believe"
Louise based any hope that remained
to her on Sunday. Away from the
others. Ned and she might work on
Sniff successfully. If only she were
sure of Ned's support. He was so apt
to encourage her sister By laughing