The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-04-06

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Uncle Justus went to sleep in his
chair and began to snore, and Aunt
EVE made him move into the hall,
into the straight, heavily carved
chair by the table there. The sound
of his shores still reached them, but
no longer so disturbingly. That he
should thus move into the hall was
a usual occurrence and June scarce
noticed it at the time. Later she
would be puzzled by the fact that
Inspector Tope attached to it so
much Importance, as he did to every
movement of the others here this
evening.
Shortly after ten o'clock, a mild
argument developed. The discus
sion went on and on, till Kitty Lea
ford rose with a sudden angry move
ment and said fretfully:
II must go to bedl I've head
ache. This heat torments me be-
yond enduring"
Grandma Bowdon protested:
why, you can't go yet, Kitty. It's
not half-past ten. We never stop
till eleven
II must" said Kitty Leaford ST
must get to sleep before the storm. T"
Aunt EVE Taine remarked In her
calm, gentle tones:
''Of course, Kitty, you ought to go
to bed, if you feel tired. III bring
some milk up to you. always say
when I'm tired, a glass of warm
milk makes me feel better than any,
thing else. Where is it, in the ice
chest?"
June confessed: I'm afraid there
isn't any," Uncle Justus had spilled
the last of the days supply.
But Aunt EVE ignored her.
We've none over at our house"
she reflected. Nothing but the top
milk that I saved for the coffee.
Mother, have you any," Grandma
Bowdon nodded; and Aunt EVE
said: "Pu run across and get
some"
sit doesn't matter, really" Kitty
Leaford repeated. Good night. :"
She went out into the hall and they
heard her speak, loudly, to Uncle
Justus. He answered her, his voice
sounding from halfway upstairs.
Aunt Evie followed her. "Justus,
where are you going?" she demand
ed. "Come herel" He must have
obeyed her, for when June reached
the door, he was just sitting down
in the hall chair again. Aunt EVE
told her: 'I'll bring the milk right
away, June. From Grandma Bow
don's."
She hurried away, and June start
ed to go upstairs, to be with her
mother. Sometimes Kitty Leaford
wanted her help in preparing for
the night; for there was consid-
cradle ritual involved in this pro-
cedure But Rab Tame called her.
June" he urged cheerfully,
come back here. It's not bedtime
yet. Stay awhile
She stood uncertainty In the door
way, tall, dark-haired girl, slen-
der and strong, but clad in shape
less and unbecoming gown.
'tYou know" Rab told her snil-
ingly, crossing to speak to her in a
lower tone, you need to learn to
play, June. This tomb is no place
for you. It's time you were meeting
some young fellows
June nodded.
''I'm not going to stay here al
ways" she told him. I'm going
away some day. Mother has prom
ised me-"
Any time you want to step out, |"
Rab invited, chuckling, "TH give
you hand. I like you, June. And
can show you around"
Asa passed them on his way to
the kitchen. fGlass of water" he
said, by way of explanation. June
heard Aunt EVE come IN to the
kitchen, from out of doors, heard
them talking together there.
The girl went along the hall to
join them, to see if she could be of
help. Aunt EVE had poured little
milk out of a bottle into stew-pan
and set it on the gas-stove. The
bottle was empty. Asa was stand
ing by the stove, glass of water IN
his hand, while Aunt Evie looked for
matches. But she did not readily
find any; and June confessed:
''I think they're all gone. We
meant to order some"
''Pn get some from Justus," Aunt
Evie decided She went into the hall
to rouse Uncle Justus, and June
picked up the pan of milk.
Mother has a gas-plate In her
bathroom" she told Asa. ST can
| warm it there"
He nodded without speaking. Asa
was always a dour, silent man. He
went ahead of her through the hall
and back to the sitting-room, and
June followed him as far as the
hall. Uncle Justus was awake, fun
bling In his pockets for the matches
Aunt EVE demanded; and June set
| the milk down on the table beside
| him.
I'll warm it upstairs" she told
Aunt EVE, and went into the sitting
room to say good night to Grandpa
and Grandma Hurder. Rab came
out with her, when this duty was
done, and picked up the milk.
"I'n carry this upstairs" Rab
told June, smiling. ST want to say
good night to Aunt Kitty. Besides,
it's too much of a load for you'll"
His eyes were twinkling.
June was not particularly atten-
tive; yet later, under Inspector
TOPICS gentle inquiries, she would
remember and relate every detail
of this evening. That stew-pan with
little milk In the bottom was to
assume dark and dreadful signif-
canoe IN her eyes,