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


Meade's cynicism was not entirely
tho vaporous output Of seIf-centered
youth. His was q calling that took him
into every walk of life. He had stepped
lightly among the roses. which were
not for him 10 pluck, and he had
wound his way through thorns and es-
capped their prick. In the great school
Of life every book and every page 10
laid open TO the reporter If he will but
look 1t is an old story; at first the
bubblinE enthusiast, then the cynic:
and the eynic!sm 10 not feigned. Win
moved and sifted down and weighed
the same balance always showed. At
least In the turmoil OF the big cities II
was the same--hypocrisy and self
gain.
But II there were no alleviating
causes there were allsviating effects.
Occasionally the stock yielded some
thing pure. Such a product Dick had
found In the Reynolds home. OF
true love and true happiness he knew
the world contained Its share, but
now the first idol In his personal OBJ
servance OF 1t had crashed and shat.
tered like the glass upon the German Q
bar. Or. 80 It seemed TO him.
What other conclusion could he
reach? There were Jane and Brand
and the supercilious Mrs. Collins. In
the turbulent storm OF his speculations
she served as a slight, balm, but not
IL Eak
she was there. He was glad that Jane
had DETECTED Brand In his purpose to
tarry at the inn. These were moll!fy-
ing circumstances, but they were
small. The great, big infectious fact
was that his friends wife was out au-
tomobile riding with a man she had
known but two days-a millionaire
The word bit and stung as he con-
ceiVed It. He laughed aloud In a bit.
ter. raucous way and reached for the
beer to wet dried lips. He gulped It
down and babe Herr Host good day.
That portly gentleman. having pom.
dered over the sudden transformation
OF his guest, scented trouble. His fare
we'll was as brief as Dicks.
Young Meade had gone to Totem
Vile on reportorial duty. This he had
performed when he dropped into the
Inn. Ordinarily he would have spent
his time on the long homeward trip in
writing or at least, constructing bis
story. But when he tried to concen.
trate his mind, the scene he had Just
witnessed intruded and absorbed his
thought. Again and again he reviewed
the facts and tried to Danish the blight
But 1t would not down. His admlra-
ton Tor Jane was almost akin to wor-
ship. Rob he loved and envied. Not
In any unworthy way, but as the DOS
SCISSOR and component part Of q state
OF happiness he knew existed and had
never yet found for himself.
But In Dicks primitive and prac-
tical alignment OF figures. two and
two meant just one thing. Added or
multiplied the result was the same.
No algebraic could alter It; 10
geometric square could efrace II. Rey.
nolds was deceived and his wife was
deceiying him. Unless-and the
thought brought a quick spasm of re-
tOicing-unless Bob knew
He became impatient at the slow
moving car and then fretful over the
hardness of the ferry. He was eager
TO rush to his friends office and by
some diplomatic trick arrive at the
truth. But then, II Bob didn't know.
and In spite OF himself this thought
took preponderance. what would he do
then? Should he turn tale bearer and
say the word that always embitters
even when the best OF friends Ia It's
mouthpiece? His loyalty to Jane, too,
might deter him. The idol was shat
tered. but 1t was still an idol. That
Dick did not fully know. There might
be ruins, but they would never fall to
the level Of Brands. He became
acutely conscious OF an increasing
hatred for the INSCRIPTIONS million.
aire and decreasing resentment TO-.
ward the woman.
Dick found his friend at work In the
laboratory of the big construction com
pany. Bob's quarters were on the top
most door OF a Bowling Green sky,
scraper and not far from the offices OF
Brands concern. 1t was nearly six
o'clock and Bob. coatless and with
sleeves rolled up. wac hurrying through
the final stages Of a rush job
Hello. Dick" ne greeted without ad.
vancing. What brings you up ut this
hourr I'd shake but my hands are
mussed up q bit. Sit down. I'll be
through In ten minutes"
Dick declared he had Just dropped
in and subsidized on convenient stool.
Fascinated, he watched Reynolds NOV,
ing quickly to and fro at his work,
transferring some substance from a
glass cruciele to another: depesiting q
bit here In a small iron kettle over a
fame and dropping more there into a
square zinc can packed In Ice: watch.
ing the tests almost simultaneously In
four or Ave different vessels: stopping
occasionally to tot down results In a
little book: keen. alert and accurate.
Here was the competent workman for.
gettul OF all but his work Forgetful
even Of employer oblivious to friend
| immersed in his taSK. Dick could not
refrain from one question.