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

CHAPTER x--continued.
The evening was passed in solitude
Jane was reading something of Ga,
ooFtau's, ara !mpelling. but not exactly
soothing subject for one who expect,
Oh to spend the night alone. She was
startled from an absorbing part Of the
tale By that mysterious feeling that
warns uH Of another presence when
netther eye nor ear has served. Then
slight shadow fickered across the
book She dropped 1t and started to
her feet with little cry. Dick, inert
and dreaming, leaped up and growled
out OF mere sympathy, or suspicion.
Caught unawares no would take no
chances; but having quickly estab.
uHhed his ontnosts and surveyed the
Held OF battle his belligerency van.
Ished. He stood with one paw raised
auizzteally examining his mistress
face and looking from her TO the inter
Gopar
That was F'rieda She was twisting
a corner Of her blue ginghAm apron be.
tween her coarse hands, struggling be.
tween her fear Of intrudlng and her
desire to put thought into speech.
DO not creep in In that way.
Frieda." Jane cried petulantly. You're
worse than q cat"
She was vexed at herself for having
obviously betrayed her fright and
angry az tho instrument of her fear.
But Frieda'a Inevitable "Yessum" and
her piteously evident intention to give
atterance to some idea restored James
sQuanimity. She spoke more encour.
aEingiy.
What IN t7' she asked.
"Mr, Bob. liant he coming home to-
aightr
mo. MFR. Reynolds has had to leave
the city," Jane replied with emphasis.
~WhyT'
Frieda crumpled q quarter of the
apron between her flsts and shifted
nsrvouaiy from one foot 10 the other.
Then with o supreme effort. che got 1t
cut.
SIN scared"
~6cared7"
~Yesaum."
AT what2"
y don't know, ma'am."
Nonsense, FriedA." Jane answered
eravely, but unconsciously she locked
hurriediy about the large room and
then down at Dick as it seeking con,
drmation Of her assurance from his
Calm. Fer Dick had again subsidized to
The rug.
There's nothing TO be afraid of.
Trieda, any more than II MIR. Reynolds
we're here. Have you finished with
vour work."
~Yessum."
Then 60 up 60 your ROOM" Jane
commanded. Il will sleep upstairs In
the room next TO yours, instead OF In
mine"
~Yessum." Frieda acquiesced. and.
a. she backed away. looked much re.
usvsd. This promise OF proximity al
Ayed her fears, IL It did not entirely
auea them.
But the balm that Jane offered 10
her servant did not serve her own
ends. She became keenly aware that
che shared Friedas misgtvtEgs She
abandoned her book and az she laid
et aside she did 30 with q little shud.
DER an IL the victims OF Its mysteries
and its perils had become personitied
and stalked about beside her. She
gave unusual attention to the fasten
tngs OF the doors and windows. ordi
nartly Bob bad attended to these de-
tails In most casual manner and abe
had never given them q thought. She
put out the light and went up to the
room overhead. The fox terrier ran
ahead. but at the top OF the stairs she
ordered him back and shut the door,
For what seemed TO her hours, Jane
ny and surrendered herself to foolish
vaSariea OF q disturbed mind. She
knew that FTtsda's contentious expires
sion or her tears was groundless. That
sstimable person had discounted her
declaration OF alarm by q raucous and
continuous snore. But this only &C
eentuated the loneliness Jane felt Al
asst the cuckoo clock Ia the room be
low told the hour OF midnight MystiC
and omtnous II sounded instead Of JOY
hal and vibrant Another hour passed
The cuckoo Gang its single tone dis
naliy and forehodtng. A half hour
more and Jane drtfted into troubled
areams.
She awoks with Q start Dick va,
barking surtously