Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-01-14

They were Just about to leave the
Office when suddenly the door opened
and Blanche Reynolds, trifie pale
and much too anxious for frivolous
embarrassment, stood before them.
lis Mr.. Hoehler here?" she asked,
glancing swiftly about the office. II
was notable that. though knowing no
German, she pronounced his name
with a perfect mastery of the difficult
sound OF the modulated vowel.
Harper shook his head and glanced
at Meade with miserable sense OF
guilt
HE il gone" he faltered. HE left
about half an hour ago."
Il got such curious note from
him." she explained, He met my
brother on the street and gave it to
him. Why did he go?"
1T was IA point Of honor" Har.
per lamely told her.
It was splendid to see the way the
girl squared her shoulders. and how
her eyes flashed, though she grew
paler still ...,.....
HE has done nothing wrong" she
declared Il know"
BLESS your heart, MOI" exploded
Meade, He couldn't IL he tried.
Now don't you worry about Conrad,
because his friends are not going to
let him get away" and he BUSTED
outside with his usual spluttering
energy.
Bewildered. not able to understand
any of 1t, the girl went out upon the
street, scarcely rejecting that she was
going with them. Walking at the side
of Harper, with Meade forging merry.
cusly on ahead. during the next four
blocks she lost herself In the knowl-
edge Of how much, how very much,
she cared! ......
As they turned the corner toward
the station Mes lie, who was In adj
vance, gave an exclamation Of sur
prise, for there. but half a block ahead
Of them, and going In the same direc.
ton. was Conrad, He was walking
slowly along the shady street, his head
down, his shoulders dropped, his pock-
cts bulging with bis portable posses
sions. Blanche. all thought for con-
yentions swept away in this oyer
wrought moment. few swiftly after
him.
oh, Conrad!" she called. as she
overlook him and put her hand on
sis arm. ..@ e,s| ~
He whirled, and a passing teamster.
with joyial cast of countenauea.
stopped his horses and looked back
ward with grin. for ii was quite nm
usual In the streets OF Holden to see
young man sob and clasp a young
lady In his arms. ~
Ach. ich sterbe fuer dich.--I die fer
youl" cried the young man, stopping
even then. i'm his consideration oil her,
to translate; but when Meade and Har-
Per came up he drew her arm within
his own and turned his back upon
them and walked away. She was
going with him quite contentedly. She
did not know what these men had
done. but II Conrad held them in con.
tempt she scorned them.
Wait q minute." commanded
Meade. and caught Conrad by the
shoulder, instantly understanding ais
quandary. Every things all right my
boy, Harper told me all about it.
Look here. and he thrust before Con.
RAIDS eyes the check that Harper had
returned 70 him. -Harper's an honest
man. So are you: SO am I: SOS Miss
Reynolds. Let's all shake hands.
Now we're all four going back to tho
Office and talk IL over. BY the way.
Conrad. what are you doing hereg We
expected to And You fonr miles down
the track hy this time"
Conrad smiled through his tears.
II could not go. and could nos
stays he exclaimed. -Four. ave, six