The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-10-31

distant automobile, somewhere
toward the steam mill, and saw
sweeping ray of light above the trees
as though a car were turning there,
Its headlights like a searchlight's
beam.
They would be taking Seth Hum
phreys' body away, she thought; and
she thought Will had killed him. and
thought of the law and what the law
would have to say to this; and she
thought loyalty that none could blame
VIII. Blame Hubby, 1t might be; but
not WILL
And slow anger began to wake in
her, to supplant the terrible stricken
grief because part of Will was gone,
and the sweet flesh she loved was now
reduced to a noisome thing that must
be disposed of secretly and swiftly.
Anger woke in her; at Seth Hum
phreys for his active part, and at
Hubby for her secret, passive role.
Seth was dead, beyond reach of
Jenny's wrath; but Hubby lived!
And Jenny found herself going at
long strides, like swift avenger,
toward the brook, along the wood
path, toward Wills farm.
Jenny went in wrath; but her deep,
abiding anger was bound in letters not
easily to be broken, for Hubby was
Willis wife, and the girl had wit
enough, deep sense enough, sound wis
dom enough to understand that this
was no seemly hour for a woman's
brawl. To shame Hubby would be to
shame Will; and with sudden clear
perception Jenny knew that this she
would not do. So by the time she had
crossed the brook and climbed the
steep trail and come up through the
orchard to the house, she was steady
again, bent and bound first and above
all else to protect viii from ugly
tongues.
She came through the barn into the
farmyard; and through the unshaded
window of the kitchen she saw Hubby
within. And sight of Hubby checked
the girl; for Wills wife was dressed
in an unaccustomed fashion, in a skirt
chN SooI VI SOuC odi Stull. alSO
Jenny saw that Bart Carey stood be-
side her, bending down to her, speak
ing intently; and she saw Huldy's
slow, hooking smile as she looked at
the man, her head tilted backward, the
smooth line of her throat sweeping
deep into her bosom.
This much Jenny saw, not particu-
larly intent on Bart, but startled by
the fashion of Huldy's dress; and she
went quickly to knock upon the kitchen
door.
Hubby called: "Come imp So Jenny
entered.
The two faced her from beyond the
table; the lamplight was strong upon
them. Hubby sat with her head a lit
tie on one side, her dark eyes shad-
owed, her lips curled in that deep
smile; Bart, beside her, stood half
erect, one hand still upon the arm of
her chair, as though he had been bend
ing over her in some stern or ardent
urgency.
And Jenny said slowly:
"Mis' Ferrin, guess you don't know
it, or you'd been there; but Wills
hurt over to Granny's house. The doc
tOr-cut his leg off. You'll have to
come on over"
Bart Strengthened up, his face hot.
That's what I've been telling her."
he said,, yet not convincingly; and
Huldy's eyes turned toward him, with
a sardonic upward twist of her brow.
He'll be coming to, soon," Jenny
urged. "When the chloroform wears
off. And he'll want you there"
Bart insisted: "Yes, Hubby! He'll
want you! You'd ought to go along
with Jenny!"
Hubby sat at ease, one knee crossed
over the other, one foot moving slight
ly in tight little rhythm. Jenny saw
that the other womans hat lay on the
table by the lamp.
you were getting ready to Gomez"
she hazarded. 81 guess Bart told you
about it. l thought you mightn't
know" Hubby did not speak at all;
and Jenny asked Bart: "How did you
know?"
"They telephoned from my house."
he reminded her. 81 was fishing, down
brook, with a man that's been staying
at my place. Amy told me, when got
home, while ago. 1 come right I'D
here :"
Quick as tomcat," said Hubby,
with a hooking glance at him; and
he said hotly, virtuously:
ut looked to me you'd need some
one. You'd have the chores to do :"
Jenny remembered something for
gotten. She cried: "Oh, Bart! Wili
says his teams up on the ridge road.
He lost nut off the wagon. You'a
better go fetch them back to the barn."
Bart hesitated; but Hubby said,
watching him cruelty: $50 along,
Bart. You can make up to a horse,
maybei"
Jenny perceived, without under
standing, baffled anger in Bart; she
thought he was provoked by Huldy's
heartlessness, and she touched his
arm. go on, Bart" she urged. go
fetch the team back and unhitch them
and give them some feed. I'll
take Hubby over home"
There was sweat on Bart's brow
he looked from Jenny to Hubby and
his dark eye fixed on Wills wife. "You
stay here till come back" he NUT
tered. II want to talk to you"
'Tve heard all you've got to say"
Hubby told him. Get away from me,
and stay away!" There was no heat
in her tones; no trace of anger; rather
slow, maddening scorn.
Bart snatched at his hat. "PI come
back" he insisted, almost threatening