The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1940-02-29

next saturday, ! understand, ne
said to Autumn.
Next Saturday morning, Hector"
she replied.
81 am inviting you two"-he said,
and looked aggressively from one
to the other-''to dinner at my house
next Thursday evening. VIII that
suit you both?"
There was silence in which Hec-
tor, the spectator, saw the clash of
humorously blue eyes and clear,
stricken, sea-green eyes. Bruce
thrust one hand idly into the pocket
of his coat and stood in a lounging
attitude, looking pleasantly down at
Autumn as he replied.
Thursday will suit me, Hector"
why, certainly, darling" Au-
tumn said breathlessly, turning to
Hector. How sweet Of you'll Shall
we dance now?" She took Hector's
arm and led him away.
Bruce watched them 60, then
smiled as he seated himself.
Poor old Hector, he thought wry-
ly. Making a last gallant effortl
And how gamely she had taken it,
Came right back at him, her eyes
flaming in rage. Oh, wel-what the
devil! He buried his cigarette angri-
ly IN the earth of potted plant that
stood near at hand, then got up and
stroIled out, the leisurely figure of
young man who had no scar on his
spirit.
The evening was no more than
half spent when Autumn begged
Florian to take her home. She
pleaded headache-from the noise
and the, heavy air of the place. Flor
ian protested, but finally agreed.
They found Linda and together ar
ranged for one last night at the
Parr hunting lodge before Autumn
should leave them. Autumn would
drive up from home and meet them
at the lodge. The day was set and
the girls kissed each other good
night. For once, it seemed, Autumn
was more languid than Linda.
Fifty miles southwark, and ten
more off the straight trail to Kelow-
ma, was the distance that Autumn
must go to the Parr hunting lodge.
She had left home early to attend
to some business In Kamloops and
to assure Hector that she would be
on hand for his dinner party on the
following evening. # was matter
of Indifference to her that Florian
would be at the lodge, too, but the
thought of meeting Linda warmed
her heart. It would be difficult to
say good-by to her. In her frivolous,
unsentimental way Linda had shown
her more unconscious sympathy
than she could ever guess.
It was barely dusk when Autumn
drove her car In through the rustic
gate that led to the lodge. She got
out promptly and glanced about, an
ticipating that Linda and Florian
would be on the lookout for her.
"HelloI" Florian came hurrying
toward her from the doorway of the
lodge.
He took her gloved hands In a
firm grip and stood looking down
at her with a strange, inscrutable
smile.
Hello, Florianr' she returned,
her voice little unsteady. Gosh,
I've been driving like a fiendi"
go on in" Florian told her and
gave her shoulder a little squeeze
with his hand from which she shrank
with instructive uneasiness.
He jumped into the car and drove
it hurriedly into the garage cabin.
Autumn started toward the lodge,
but Florian caught up with her and
opened the door for her to enter.
Within the large room, familiar to
her now with its antlered heads pro-
jecting from the walls, its bear and
cougar skins scattered about the
floor, its deep stone fireplace, its
properly rustic but comfortable
chairs and deep divan, its buffet lit
tered with bottles and glasses which
would be an eternal adjunct to any
furnishings of the Parrs-there was
not another soul but herself and
Florian.
Autumn turned upon him.
Where's Linz" she demanded.
Florian had closed the door. He
was leaning against it now, his
hands thrust nonchalantly into the
pockets of his corduroy jacket. His
blond head shone in unruly pictur-
esqueness against the stained log
surface of the door. His dark eyes
smiled at her, half closed IN con-
templative pleasure.
"Lin came down with tonsilitis this
morning." he told her.
why didn't you telephone me,
them"
"We did, but you had already left
home"
why didn't you have Elinor come
along with your" Autumn demand
ed, vexed at Florian's manner.
Lord, Autumn, don't get all
worked UP over nothing" he re-
piled. "Elinor doesn't 60 out with