The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-11-30

white marble fireplace, where a pink
glow slumbered in the violet-colored
ash. From tiny, lemon-hued satin
settee opposite, Autumn looked at
him. His long, bony hands were
clasped above his cane, his leonine
head jutted forward, and there was
in his eyes a naked look of-was it
fear or mere perplexity? Autumn
did not know.
A hideous feeling came upon her
that this was not her father at all
who sat facing her, but some gro
tesque old changeling with demon
ridden soul. His eyes burned as he
searched her face, his massive
hands clenching the arms of his
chair.
A tremor took possession of her so
that her shoulders quivered invol-
UNFAIRLY. She twined her fingers
tightly together and bent forward.
Tell me-what is wrong?" she
said softly.
The old mans body seemed to sag,
exhausted, into the depths of his
chair. Your mothers hair-bur-
nished as October" he said absent
ly, then lifted his head slowly.
Nothing is wrong, my child, moth
ing"
The sound of Hannah's football on
the stairway broke the moments
spell and Autumn got up as the old
housekeeper hurried nervously into
the room.
"Hannahi"
The woman halted suddenly, her
hand clutching at her breast. She
eyed Autumn incredulously, then
drew her breath in a quick gasp.
Autumn hurried toward her and put
her arms about the bowed shoulders.
''Hannah-don't you know me?"
The only immediate response was
a sob that shook the old woman's
frame as she chung to Autumn.
my baby-my babyI" Hannah
said at last, her voice thin and bro
ken and incredibly old.
Autumn drew her close and
soothed her with little words of en-
dearment remembered from her
childhood. Hannah, Hannah! Little
old Muzzy-wuzzyI
Jarvis Dean drew himself up pom
derously in his chair. "Come, now!"
he Numbered. "There'u be time
enough for that! Put the kettle on
the fire and make us pot of tea"
Hannah drew away and Autumn
patted her affectionately on the
shoulder. Eyes, Hannah, make US
some tea. Well have days and days
to talk. I'm never going to leave
home again"
The old woman battered away to
the kitchen and Autumn sat down
again on the satin settee.
$50 you are counting on staying
here" her father said.
eff I have to turn sheep and run
with the flock, d." Autumn
laughed.
Jarvis Deans head sank forward
on his chest. Were you not well
enough off with your aunt, them"
he asked her.
ST have nothing against Aunt Flo,
Da. She has always been lovely to
me-"
what brings you home, them"
Jarvis Deans voice was deep, his
breathing labored.
I'm fed up with all that mean
ingless existence-and this is my
home" Autumn's voice quivered
and broke at the realization of the
fantastic heartlessness of the situa-
ton. Bewildered and appalled, and
crushed, she struggled to regain
control of her voice. do you mean
you really don't want me here,
DAP" she asked.
The old man shifted uneasily in
his chair. Here? What kind of
place is this for a girl like your"
he demanded.
Autumn's eyes darted helplessly
from one object in the room to an
other, as though she were seeking
refuge from the overwhelming and
cruel stupefaction that had come
upon her. "Why-whatever can you
have against my being here-I can't
believe"
Her father held UP his hand with
a peremptory gesture. "What did
tell you in England last Christmas
when you wanted to come back here
with me?"
ST never believed that you really
meant that ! couldn't come back.
Why, it's-it's the most unreasona-
BILE thing I've ever heard of. We've
always had such wonderful times to-
gether and I" =
Jarvis Dean rose abruptly to his
great height and the anguish in his
face wrung her heart in amazement
and mystifcation. Lets talk no
more about it." he said with an eff
fort. "You have come and you will
have to stay-for decent length of
time, anyhow-or people will have
something to wag their damned silly
tongues about. I'll not have them
saying things-about the Deans"
A change came over him. so swift
and brilliant that the horrible
thought swept through Autumn that
perhaps he had, for the agonizing