The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-12-07
Prologue zeAore sits s:7; !;
eMARrHA osTEhso-wNU SERVICE

she had saddled her horse, and come
galloping away under the pallor of
the night. Some yearning for es-
cape, she knew, had prompted her
act. She realized now that she had
run away from Florian Parr. It
was from the Florian PARIS she had
run when she had left that shallow
life she had known in Europe-the
Florian PARIS, in whom deep pas
sions were merely quaint and laugh
able.
She was well within the Landor
ranch before she realized the direc-
ton she had taken. She had been
sitting there for minutes, breathing
deeply of the nights enchanted per-
fume, when a sound behind her
caused her to draw sharply on the
reins and wheel her horse about.
Another rider was coming down the
narrow trail, his form looming black
and high against the moon.
Hello, there!" a mans voice
challenged her, a level voice, I'M
hurried, its information rich and deep.
As he drew closer Autumn could
see that he was bareheaded, dressed
in riding breeches and the collar of
his dark shirt carelessly open.
ST am Autumn DEAN" she an
nounced quickly, as he came along
side her and halted his horse.
Although the moonlight made an
obscure mask of his features, she
thought she saw look of puzzled
surprise cross them.
Autumn Dean!" he exclaimed,
and extended his hand.
"Why-Bruce Lander! 1t is you,
isn't it?"
Above their clasped hands, Au-
tumn saw his smile-the boyish,
quizzical smile she remembered.
So was sure it was you-at once"
he told her.
A thrill of uneasiness coursed
through her-a queer, unsteady feel
ing that left her ridiculously irritat-
ed at herself.
"Why didn't you say so, them"
she demanded.
He held her hand warmly and
smiled at her. 81 have learned to
take nothing for granted" he OBJ
served. "But-I understood you
were celebrating over at your place
tonight. How do you happen to be
here?"
81 don't believe I could even ex-
plain that myself" she said little
blankly. 81 just rode away, and
I'm here"
He smiled again and took ciga-
rette from his breast pocket, struck
a match and lighted it between his
cupped hands. In that one brief
moment she saw the dark, crisply
curling hair that was cropped short,
straight dark brows rather heavy
above eyes that she remembered
now were a deep blue, nose we'll
formed and sensitive about the nos
trils, and a mouth that was some
what full but Straightforward and OBJ
stinate. In the sudden realization
that she was giving him a shame
less scrutiny, she wrenched her gaze
away in the instant that he looked
up at her.
ST had expected to see you over
at our dance tonight" Autumn said.
"Or were you not the least bit GU
rious?"
'Curious?" He regarded her in
tently. "Scarcely-curious. should
have come if had been able. This
happens to be very busy time for
me-and besides, mother has taken
another bad SPELL
"Oh, I'm very sorry. Father told
me she had been quite i'll. should
have been over to see her if l had
had time. Do you think she would
remember me, Bruce?"
His eyes rested gravely upon her
face. Her hand moved nervously
to her cheek as his look held hers,
the moonlight seeming to go thin
and extraordinarily translucent be-
tween them.
ST doubt it," he said at last. "You
are grown-up now
won't you take me down to see
her?'
"Now?"
'eWhy not? It's still early, and I
can ride back that way. Unless,
of course, she's asleep"
"She never goes to sleep until I
come in," Bruce told her.
81 should love to go down, them"
she said.
Bruce glanced once in the direc-
ton of the ravine. 81 can come
back here later" he said. 'Let us
go this way, them
He led the way across the slope
to a point from which the light in
the Lander house was plainly visi-
BILE.
81 hope you will not be shocked
at mothers condition." he said.
"She has had stroke, you know,
and it has left her partially para
lyzed. She may not even remem-
Der your name"
what pity" Autumn said. "She
was always such a proud, capable
woman"
ITO BE CONTINUEDJ