The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1940-02-15

deep breath, then relaxed into his
chair. "You are still a very young
man, Landor," he went on, "-and
I am an old man. My opinion may
count very little to a man of your
years. But if a young woman
chooses to make trollop of her
self, / don't see how it improves
matters to make it the cause of
public brawl."
Your daughter has not made
trollop of herself, sir" Bruce pro-
tested. Besides, I did what I did
because I had little choice in the
matter"
Would il not have been better
II you had left wel-enough alone,
instead of making both my daugh-
ter and yourself the laughing stock
of the countryside"
I'm afraid we can't agree on
that, SIR" Bruce replied. ST am, Of
course, sorry for any unpleasant
ness it may have caused either you
or Autumn.
Jarvis Deans face darkened. "Be
that as it may, Landor," he said,
"I'd prefer to look after such things
myself, in the future, when they
concern me or one Of my own
house"
Every good, SIR" Bruce returned,
his lips Tightening.
''In fact, my boy, I mean to do
II 70 ~ ~.0
fortunate results of this affair. How
much do you figure those Merinos
of yours were worth to your"
Bruce flushed. ST haven't figured
that out, exactly, Mr.. Dean," he re-
piled.
Put your own price on them,
then, and let me know what it is. I
want to make it good to you"
Bruce looked at Jarvis, aware Of
a quick surge of feeling within him.
He was silent for a moment. There
were times when a man might par
donably give way to anger, but this
was not such time, he told him.
self in resolute effort at self-con-
troll. After all, the Laird was max
ing what he undoubtedly felt to be a
generous gesture.
st understand what you mean,
Mr.. Dean" he said at last, "but my
loss is my own. brought it on my
self and III foot the bill"
The great hands of Jarvis Dean
came down heavily upon the arms
of his chair as he leaned toward
Bruce. ''You don't mean-you are
not refusing my offer?" he demand
ed harshly.
Bruce laughed outright. "You
surely didn't expect me to accept
it?" he replied. ST haven't come to
that yet, sir"
A ivid vein stood out upon Jarvis
forehead. He got to his feet with
astonishing and fiery swiftness.
That, Lander, isis sheer impu-
dence!" he gasped.
Bruce, who had risen promptly
when Jarvis stood up, looked steadi-
ly into the older mans eyes.
"Are you not being bit unreason-
able, Mr.. Dean?" he asked.
The Laird snorted. That's
enough, sir - and more than
enough" he replied. ''I have made
you gentleman's offer-and you
have refused it. Do I understand
you Alright, sir?"
81 couldn't think of accepting it,
Mr.. Dean"
very well, Landor-very WE'LL
You may have it your way, then.
But from this day forward there will
be no dealings between US, do you
understand? You are a stranger to
us-to me and my daughter-for the
rest of our days" He stepped to-
ward Bruce and thrust his great
head forward. do you understand
that?" he demanded.
Perfectly, I think" Bruce re-
piled, and funbled In his breast
pocket for another cigarette.
The hand that struck the match
was not altogether steady, but he
knew now that he had his feelings
under control. When he turned to-
ward Jarvis Dean again, he was
startled quite off his guard at the
shocking change that had come over
the old man. The Laird was leaning
heavily with one hand on the back
of his chair, his head bowed for
ward, his other hand passing un-
certainly across his eyes as though
to brush from them something that
obscured his vision. Bruce took an
apprehensive step toward him, but
Immediately Jarvis drew himself
erect. Although his face was drawn
and white, he made curt bow.
GOOD day, Landorl" he said, and
stood awaiting Bruce's withdrawal.
Bruce looked at him for one brief
moment in frowning perplexity and
with feeling of some unfathomable
uneasiness. Then he babe the Laird
a quiet good-by and turned away.
AS he left the room, Jarvis Dean
slumped heavily into his chair and
sat listening to the sound of Bruce's
footsteps descending the stairs.
The Laird was still In his library
an hour or so later, when Autumn
returned from town. When he heard
her mounting the stairway present
ly, he closed the large, leather
bound journal In which he was writ
ing and laid it carefully away in the
drawer of his table. He locked the
drawer and returned the small key
to its wonted place above the desk.
He turned as Autumn came into
the room.
You're back" he said. eft didn't
take you long"
1--WE been gone three hours" she
remarked. There wasn't much to
do"
did you see Snyder"
ST found him IN his Office. He'll
be out to see you tomorrow after
noon"
Iarvic oo< nv, frovy, HE f,b1a and