Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1914-10-22
BY GERTRUDE STEVENSON

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did care. could tell. When you went
away the Tirst time ron did. why,
1t was only question of my luck
turning. You were going 10 wait for
me. / always knew that Then !
met Elade. Even tiae senator's got Q
good word for me now. But you"
his voice broke and he leaned forward
and laid hia hand over hers "a III
rested Idly on the table.
sHeayenssa be exclaimed, as he
snatched his hand away. What I
ought to have done was to have rid
den UP here. taken you ever my Shout.
der and eaiiopeG or with you ON ..
broncho."
+Oh. rob" she breathed. really
pleased ut his domineering tone.
That's the sort Of man TO get
on with q woman like you" BIO &c
cuaed. "A brlltel "A man could DO
anything with You II he once con.
quered you. There's nothing In these
long Understandings" he broke or.
disgustedly. "I'Ye lost you and don's
know how. or why. | do know Won
liked me better than anyone else. and
I adore you yet, be finished. impul-
sively clasping her hand with both
OF his. Katherine patted his strong
fingers with her frse hand.
Please, Rob. know you do" and
she left him 10 pass hack and forth
tho length OF the room. Il cant,
she sighed. Then hurriedly: IL 4
only had tho courage. On, Rob-" and
she turned on him with helpless
little gesture.
what do you mean By couragef"
he demanded. vs.
II mean Id have toto live here
In this little hole In the West, ahe
burst forth. vehemantly, Mono. Z
cant face it-aiwayslH
Well. suppose II did mean to stay
hersi. Bob stood with folded arms.
It's home, Everyone vegetables
moro or leaa al home. Katherinni"
his voice became more tender, do
you really mean tiatf And he put
his arms around her shoulders and
looked long and earnestly into her
appraised face.
n couldnt--oh. Rob. couldn't"
she protested. "AlI this month i've
been weakening but I---a
"Ah.+ DO interrupted. hts face close
to hers. You're wearing my flowers.
tool saw that when I came Ia.
And my picture ron are still keeping
that
but I'll cant Quite.n she began.
I'm dreadfully troubled. Rob" abe
finally managed 10 say. She turned
from his embrace. We'd be poor
and then we'd be like the Merritts,a
with tragic spread OF her arms. "I'm
used to the world. I want 10 live
everywhere see things. I'd die
here. yegetatingl"
.oh, no you wouldn't" Hayes etart-
"a to remonstrate, when the door or
the smoking room opened and Shade
appeared.
II was Just going To look you UP.
Robert thought you wouldn't 90
without seeing me. but"
mo. of course not" Hayes ala not
attempt to conceal his annoyance at
the interruption. Katherine moved
slowly toward the door.
I'm not driving you away. am !.
MiRs katherineG'a
Before she could answer Fannie
Merritt came sweeping In. She was
radiant, Her beaming face and Mer
rita sullen one made the situation
plain To all Ia the room
MY dear" she exclaimed. turning
TO Katherine. aYou we're quite right
Mr.. Slade ID q great man. I'm leaving
my Wesley here to work for him. I'm
on Cor Europe next week. she gushed
AZ Hayes helped her into her evening
wrap. leaving my Nor. dear boy all
alone. You will be good 10 him. won't
your Good night. MT. Shade; thank
you." and. closely followed by Kath-
crime. abe hurried onl 10 her waiting
motor
SHADES face was 4 Atudy In amused
complacency as be- realized that he
need fear nothing mora from Wesley
Merrit1 or hiB "tln-horn footing sheet.
The self-esteem that vas slowly but
completely obacurlng clear vialon.
prevented him from seeing that bis
money. not himself. had brought about
the change. The nnoney he had made
was hia--.was he--himsalf. He con
fused III vast power % bsud the Msr-
ritts and their world Wilt his own
strength.