Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-11-18

en- and pantry. destroying whatever
they could not use. Suddenly there
arose sound Of smashing glass at the
front Of the house. and the tinkling of
a piano as II some rough hand swept
across the keys. Noreen pressed
closer. lifting her eyes In appeal.
"They-they are searching the
house, she whispered. her voice shak-
ing, "and-looting 1t. Do you hear
that? They are even tearing the car
pet from the floor. Some of them will
come up here"
Il am afraid so-but you must not
lose your nerve. We shall have to
fight"
Fight? yes: but what user" and
she grasped my arm with both hands.
Il would not be so afraid, only for
that man. cannot fall into his power.
will kill myself first! You do not
know Anse Cowan; but do. l would
rather die than have his hands touch
me. hate and despise him; he is an
incarnate brute-apd-and he Is here
after mel"
Hush" urged, holding her tightly.
her slight form trembling. do not let
60 yet: they may not even come up
the stairs"
But they will" she insisted. Il tell
you l know the man. He-he swore
he would marry me two years ago; he
told me so, and laughed at him. He
stopped my father on the road, held a
rifle to his head, and boosted that some
day he would make me pay his debts.
This Is no mere incident of war-it Is
revenge! II would not be frightened
but for that-that awful alternative,
Tell me-tell me what to dol"
She stared pleadingly into my face,
but, reading no answer there to her
wild appeal, sank to her knees. and
buried her face in her hands. All that
was strong about the girl seemed
swept away by sudden uncomfortable
terror-by dread of Anse Cowan. A
hoarse, strange voice roared out an
order, seemingly from the very foot OF
the stairs.
That's enough of that. Samuels!
Here, take your men up above. BE
lively now, and don't let a rat &c,
away"
The girl lifted her head; then got tt
her feet, clinging to the bedpost.
could see the glitter of a pistol in hel
hand A thought swept through my
| brain-so daring, so reckless, / gaspeC
at the mere wildness of the sugges
ton Yet it might answer; it might
succeed But would she consent; ever
in her desperation, in the extreme d
her terror, would she grasp at such {
straw? There was nothing else-no
another chance. This might not b.
one-yet it would surely serve to de
lay; 1t would place me in between
her and Anse Cowan. She could no
legally marry him. If she were once M
wife! Only the girl whose eyes jus
then met mine
Tt have thought of one way"
said eagerly. the words coming fortl
almost incoherent. That is If you will
listen to what l propose. There Il
nothing else feasible SO far as l cal
see. They-they are in the from
rooms now-hear them! We haven
a moment to lose VIII you-will yo'
| consent to marry me?"
She shrank back step, staring a
me with wide-opened eyes. breathing
heavily.
Marry! marry your" she faltere'
wildly. why what can you mean!
II do not understand"
"Of course not-the conception L
wild, impractical. perhaps. 1t mus
seem so to you-yet listen. 1t is tn
one way left open to save you from
Anse Cowan. You can trust me? Yol
do trust me, do you not?"
"Ye-es-but-"
This is no time to question. The
are coming here now, those fellow
with Anse Cowan a their head. Yo
know what for. The question Ia no
do you wish to marry me; but do yo1
trust me more than you do Anse Cow
an? Listen! 1t will be form only
am not conceited enough to believe yo
desire me for your husband. But 20
know who l am; you have confidenc
il my honor. He cannot marry yo
II you are already my wife"
"He-he could kill you"
Yes, there are enough of them
but that might happen anyway N
doubt 1t would, for otherwise / shout
fight to the end. do not think bein
your husband will add In the least I
my danger-and 1t will possibly. II
gally. protect you"
But how can I? viii 1t be legalT"
"Noreen, don't stop to argue, O
doubt" urged, grasping her hand
eagerness I'VE haven't time. Liste
to those voices in the hall! or cours
1t will be legal-Nichols Is an ordaine
minister. and no license Is required.
shall never attempt to hold yo'
Noreen, and any court Will set 70
free the moment you tell the stor!
The one, the only thing. for you to col
. slider now. is escape from Anse Gov
an"
. "You do this to-to save me?"
| ITO keep you from falling helpless
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