The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1938-06-16
CHAPTER III

CHAPTER III
>
Sally Ann Dana got through the
first difficult moments of her meet
ing with her third cousin by max
ing persistent talk about the nona-
genarian.
''But-isn't she priceless? Ninety
six-and so quick and keen. and
clear! She's ike-what?-a crisp,
brittle little old autumn leaf blow
ing along"
Exactly" he agreed. "And I'm
hoping that she may just blow on
and away, some day. 1t should be
like that"
81 believe it will be. One can't
conceive of helplessness and indig-
mites for her. I'm sure she'll just
suddenly-and simply-stop.
She walked to the window and
stood looking out, her back to him.
'Gasping for your tea?" He rang.
She turned toward him and he nod
ded approval. you've pasted down
the calendar, haven't you, Sally
Ann?" He offered her cigarette.
She shrugged, leaning nearer for
a light. Aunt Helena says I'm
skin and bones"
mice skin and bones. The grand
girls, as the matriach calls them,
will thirst for your gore; lot of
too, too solid flesh at Danavale.
Thanks, Jens. Miss Dana will pour
for me. You remember Jens, Sally
ANN"
''Of course! How are you, Jens?"
The tall, stopped Swede was very
well and hoped she was the same.
He arranged the tray with heavy
care and went creaking away.
'Oh, this is NIGEL" the traveller
said contentedly. did Jens make
these sandwiches? Fancy - with
those sledge-hammer hands! But
why the third cup?"
Sarah Lynn. She's very keen to
meet you here, rather than at home,
or at Aunt Helena's."
Sally AIMS black brows lifted.
''Must muss up my first returning
raptures with the Infant Class?"
''This child is rather special.
Enough like you to be, in kennel
talk, your little sister"
"Ahl The dark one Great-granny
wants me to take abroad? Well,
won't" She took second sandwich.
AZ haven't the faintest intention of
weighing myself with entangling al
iances. I'm utterly, comfortably
selfish and intend to remain so.
That's what keeps me young and
spry,' she told him cheerfully. "Du-
ty-doing Danas, I observe, wax
portly."
The man in the wheelchair
laughed. Isn't it astonishing how
the dark legend persists?"
'tAbsurd, of course"
Exactly. Though Cousin AIDE
laide-Sarah Lynn's mother-rose
to battle with the foolish fable. She
considers it quaint and annoying
tribal superstition. If Sarah Lynn is
a square peg-which she does not
for a moment concede-she must
and shall, Notwithstanding, be snug
ly fitted into her round hole"
''And does she bring it Off"
He shook his head. Sarah Lynn
merely walks through her part, usu-
ally scowling. Cousin Adelaide gave
her a large and heavy coming out
party, but she didn't emerge. Now
] fancy the idea is to get her mar
ried as expeditiously as possible
and whisked away from the local
landscape"
Married? I thought she was
child"
Nineteen. Her mother imported
a pallid youth named Duncan Van
Doren a couple of years ago-son
of her dearest friend in her native
Detroit, who needed a milder eli
mate, winters, and who match
makes busily but to no avail"
"Ah?" said his third cousin civil
~ but without enthusiasm. Lynn,
you haven't said whether you liked
my Musical Miles'?"
Enormously! I wrote you, but
the letter evidently passed you at
sea. Extraordinarily nice piece of
work, Sally Ann. The Salzberg
sFestpiece' chapter was a geml
You're having topping notices,
aren't your"
mot bad. Someone's coming" A
door had banged below.
"Come up, Sarah Lynn!" the man
called.
But laundering steps took the
stairs in bounds and a boy of seven
teen burst into the room. He was
fair and freckled, with a wide
mouth and singularly innocent eyes.
"Bill!" Lynn Dana greeted him,
surprised. "This is Sarah Lynn's
brother, Sally Ann"
''How do you do, Bill? Will you
have some tea?"
''Gosh, no." he said, shocked.
mo, thanks, Uncle Lynn, can't sit
down. / got to beat it before Sara
Lynn gets here, and don't peep to
her that / came, will your" He