Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1914-10-15


| each other the more each became con.
WINGED that their paths would newt
ably converge.
Katherine talked animatediy and en-.
tertainingly OF social lie abroad and
OF the gay times la Washington, and
SHADES heart warmed and his eyes
flashed as he pictured himself q part
OF that charmed circle. with keen
penetration be saw the longing OF the
girls nature, her iron win, her deter.
minaticn to gain social honors at MI.
| most any cost. He fiattered himself
that when be said the word Katherine
Strickland would be ready TO cast her
lot with his.
From the smoking room OF Senator
Strlekland's big house came the atri.
dent sound Of mems voices, raised in
excitement, and, II would seem. ac.
claim. Now and again the senator's
smooth, oratoricai voice would sound
and then SHADES slightly deprecatory,
yet firm and pleased. Then would
follow the patter Of applause, laughter
and the sudden dropping OF voices that
signified earnest converse.
TO Katherine Strickland, sitting In
the softly lighted library adjoining,
every sound had It's meaning. Her
eyes sparkled with keen interest. In
her checks giowed the deep rose OF
excitement and exultation. In that other
room she knew they were making hia.
tory. In that ether room they we're
4 nstfAIus nm - sxan g. sssx.s.,,...~x.. - a..
she admired and who had aroused her
interest as no other man had ever
| done.
Nothing could stand in that mans
way, she thought, with q catch In her
breath, nothing could stop him now
that he was fairly started. How diff,
ferent this domlneering, forceful per.
sonaiity from Bob Hayes. the man who
had frat won her girls heart. and yet
for whom she had never been willing
10 rencunce her interest in tho poltt,
zeal and social life which obsessed her
with the same compelling force as ii
did slade.
With an effort she brought her mind
back to the present and to Mrs. Yves.
ley Merritt, who had dropped In on
her way from dance to pick up her
husband.
"Yon simply weren't listening to a
word said. Mrs, Merritt complained
In her nffactedly afrectionate way. II
was asking II you know MIR. Slada very
we'll"
YES" Katherine replied, lightly.
I'VE know him very weil.
And does he ever mention his
wifef" In Mrs, Merritt's most perfectly
feline manner.
Never once" admitted Katherine.
without even an attempt at an evasion.
And you have never met herr" Mrs.
Merritt was In her glory II she could
probe.
mo. I have never met her"
How extraordinary MY husband
why, Wesley Merritt's name spells
hearth and home, domestic purity
while Slade'si They tell me he hasn't
seen his wife for weeks. and It's town
talk that he's living at his club. And
to think he's never mentioned her to
you'll
Katherine had quietly rung for a
servant. and az Mrs. Merritt finished.
remarked casually, Martin, sec that
these letters are mailed at once.''
unahashed. Mrs. Merritt was moving
eagerly about the artistic room, com
Portable In nil Its appointments, It's
| richness enhanced and mellowed with
age, blend of color that nothing but
years can give,
Fannie Merritt was decided blonde
/ Her decision had been made more
than ten years before. II was de-
ctsion that, once made. must be
ahided BY, and the woman had been
living up to II ever since. Her gown
was the last word OF sartorial elegance
and style. Daringly deeollette II chung
| TO her long, svelte figure with loving
emphasis, and traiied round her ex.
quiaitely dressed feet. Her hair did
credit to the hairdresser's long and pa
tient efforts, and long. bizarre diamond
pendants flashed and sparkled from
her ears. II sver woman had become
slave 20 her own personal pleasure
and dress. that woman was Fannie
Merritt. Too aeif-eentared and selfish
| ever to crave motherhood. she lavished
| a kind Of affection on n watery-eyed
little poodle. which repaid her with
iap.dog gratitude.
Tonight she Was restless and III at
ease. Like Katherine. her mind waa
full of one thought--Slaae, SIade. Slads
-~=hut thoughts that took a different di.
i rection. She wac sick of his name.
sick OF hearing OF his money, sick OF
the talk OF bis power and of hearing
him named an the man of the hour, IS
He was winning the very honors abe
had coveted for her husband, and TAX.
Ing them right out from beneath his
Il very eyes and nose. There didn't seem
TO be a doubt of Slade becoming gov.
ernor, the very position for which her
husband had been striving for the past
six terms. Slade with his millions
needed the goyernorship no more than
a pampared child needs a new toy,
/ while 10 her husband success or fail.
ure this time meant either the retriey.
ing of his fortunes or his utter ruin.
Tho abstraction ef the two women
HI ,,v. k...tns. 10. @ha A4x.ss1sr -. A.. :.