The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-03-30


flattered. Sniff"
"Flattery may be what you call 1t, >
Sniff said. adding with pard0nable curl.
osity: Suppose he had torn me In
shreds? know barking dogs are sup
posed not to bite but I never heard
as much said for growing Ones"
"If you were frightened why didn't
you call mel"
Probably was too paralyzed with
fear to think of 1t. What did he make
those frightful noises for II he didn't
mean to eat me alive? No wonder
Mercedes doesn't like him."
Stones lips did NOT move. yet some
how Smif received the impression of q
sardonic grin.
"Your mistake, my child. She adores
him. She has told me so many time.
He's perfectly sweet with her. Watch"
He bent over the dog and patted him.
"Shall | call Mercy. Vol"
voltaire lifted his lip at one side In
a snarl that gave him an absolutely
venomous expression. There remained
no uncertainty concerning his attitude
toward Mercy.
That's what he thinks" Stone ex-
planned with entire gravity. however,
he's French gentleman. In her pres
ence. he will conceal any uncompli-
mentary opinion he may have formed
of lady,"
"Why did he act the way he did to
me. them"
"He was paying you a sincere COM
pliment. Being emotionally stirred BY
jealousy. he knew you could not fail
to be fiattered by display of 1t. He
wished you to make fuss over him.
not over Beaucaire."
"And so he proceeded to make him.
self disagreeable about it? How like
man-of any nation"
Stone attempted no defense. "Po0r
fish, men," he said briefly. swell,
how are things coming Onr'
"I've lost thirteen pounds"
"They say thirteen's an unlucky mum.
ber." Always grave. Stone now ap-
peared to be plunged in gloom. slave
q heart. Smif. Mercy's getting abso-
lutely enthusiastic on the subject of
reducing. You'll have me married to
her before know it. If you aren't
careful"
"Have you seen much of her since
you went back to Virginia?"
"As much, exactly. as l couldn't
avoid. Fortunately, as Voltaire can't
abide her, he always warns me of her
coming. Her Intentions are still both
earnest and honorable. If that's what
you want to know. Let's forget II
What have you been doing since l saw
you last?"
"Banting and working, working and
banting. That's about all. What's the
meaning of the address on your dogs
collars?"
"Oh," said Stone. "Ah," said Stone,
lingering the dogs collar and hesitat.
ing perceptibly. ''It happened to occur
to me that In some way | was some.
thing of a d-n fool At hotel was
absolutely vulnerable. 1t was as free
to Mercy as to me-; while mans
home is his castle"
News / seem to have heard before.
Go on" Smif interjected.
SO l decided to have castle In
town. I've taken a penthouse with 8
garden and | can bring the dogs with
me instead Of having Voltaire nearly
die of melancholy whenever am away
from Loyelylea."
'Then you plan to stay in New
York;"
"Off and on" Stone answered non,
chalantly, lodging Mercy to the best
of my ability until you've both come
to your senses"
Both? What do you mean-both?'
Sniff sputtered.
II mean exactly that. Both" Stone
looked at her with CLEAN in his eye
Sooner or later you're bound to real
ize | won't marry her. Then you'll
marry her to some one else: she will
be happy and so, trust, shall l."
Something seems suddenly to have
stiffened your backbone"
Something has," Stone averred.
81 suppose you appreciate that this
makes you much more interesting as
an object of the chase? Instead Of q
cringing victim you now become game
worthy of our bow and spear"
well. catch me If you can I'll give
you run for your money. Time for
you to go home. isn't It? The dogs
and will walk up with you"