Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-02-11


The evening wna passed In solitude.
Jane was reading something OF Ga
eortau's, ar impelling. but not exactly
. Boothing subject for one who expect.
Cd to spend the night alone, She was
startled from an absorbing part OF the
sale by that mysterious feeling that
neither eye nor ear has served. Then
q sligft shadow fiiekered across the
book, She dropped 1t and started 10
her feet with a little cry, Dick, Inert
and dreaming. leapod up and growlsd
out Of mere sympathy, or suspicion,
Caught unawares no would take no
chances; but having quickly estab-
hshed bis outposts and surveyed the
aeld Of battle his belligerency van.
lahed. He stood with one paw raised
auizzically examining his mistress
face and looking from her to the inter
oper.
That was F'rieda She was twisting
. corner Of her blue Bingham apron be-
tween her coarse hands, struggling be.
tween her fear of tntruding and her
desire to put thought into speech.
"no not creep In In that way,
rrieda," Jane cried petulantly. You're
worse than a cat"
She was vexed at herself for having
obviously betrayed her fright and
angry at the instrument of her fear
But Frieda'R inevitable "Yessum" and
her ptteously evident Intention to give
Httarance 10 some idea restored James
squanimtty. She spoke more encour-
agingiy.
what In mr." she asked.
mfr. Dob. Isn't he coming home to-
aightr
"No, Mr.. Reynolds has had to leave
the city" Jane replied with emphasis,
~whyT"
Frieda crnmpled a quarter of the
apron between her fats and shifted
nervously from one foot 10 the other
Then with o supreme effort. she got II
| out.
I'm scared"
~EcaredT''
~Yessum."
AT whatT"
| I don't know, na'arn."
| Nonsense. Frieda." Jane answered
sravely. but unoonseiously abe locked
Aurriedly about the large room and
then down at Dick a. IL seeking con
aFmation Of her assurance from his
oaln, For Dick had again subsidized L
the rug.
There's nothing 10 be afraid of
rrieda. any more than IL Mr. Reynoldl
we're here. Have you finished will
pour work.
~Yessum."
Then go up to your ROOM" JAM
commanded. II viii sleep upstairs II
the room next 20 yours. instead OF II
mine"
"Ysasum." FriedA aequiesced. and
40 aha backed away, looked much re
usved. This promise OF proximity a.
layed her fears, II It did not entirel
uuen them.
But the balm that Jane offered 3
her servant did not serve her ow1
ends. She became keenly aware tina
abe shared Friedas miagivtcgs Sh
abandoned her book and at abe lai
II asids she did 30 with O little shut
Der a. II the victims OF Its mysterie
and it, psrtla had become personitie
and etalked about beside her. Sh
gave unusual attention to the faster
sngs OF the doors and windows. Ord
narily Bob had attended to these d,
tails In y rnoat casual manner and sh
had never given them q thought. Sh
put out the light and went up to th
room overhead. The fox terrier "a
ahead, but at the top OF the stairs oh
ordered hira back and shut the door.
For what seemed TO her hours. Jan
ny and surrendered herself TO fooiis
vaSaries Of q disturbed mind. ST
anew that FTteda's contentious EXPIRE
aion OF her fears was groundless. TIL
l e1timahle person had discounted b.
: declaration OF alarm by a raucous al
D continuous snore. But this only q
! centuated the loneliness Jane felt
at the cuckoo clock In the room b
I low told tha hour OF midnight Myst
r. and onlnous 1t sounded instead or 10
J" hal and vibrant Another hour passe
q The cuckoo sang its angle tone d.
u uaiiy and foreeoding. A half no
D. more and Jane drtfted into troabl
traams.
She awoks with o start Dick w
~ sasaaax tariously