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

Meade's cynicism was not entirely
youth. His was a calling that took him
into every walk of life. He had stepped
lightly among the roses, which were
not for him TO 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 Is
laid open to the reporter IL he will but
lock. 1t Ia an old story: at first the
bubbling enthusiast, then the cynic;
and the cynicism Ia 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 alleviattng 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 It's share. but
| now the first idol In his personal OBJ
servance OF 1t had crashed and shat.
tered like the glass upon the German
bar. Or, so It seemed to him
| What other conclusion could be
reach? There were Jane and Brand
and the superctlious Mrs. Collins. In
the turbulent storm Of his specnlations
she served as slight, balm, but not
an effective one He was glad that
she was there. He was glad that Jane
had detected Brand In his purpose to
tarry at the inn. These were mollify-
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 bit
ter, raucous way and reached for the
beer to wet dried lips He gulped II
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 az 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 his
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 admira
ton tor Jane was almost akin TO wor
ship, bob he loved and envied. Not
In any unworthy way, but as the pos
SCISSOR and component part OF o state
OF happiness he knew existed and haC
never yet found for himself
But in Dicks primitive and prac
teal alignment OF figures, two anC
two meant just one thing. Added OF
multiplied the result was the same
No algebraic could alter 1t; M
geometric square could efface IL. Rey
nolds was deceived and his wife wa
deeeiving him. Unlsss-and thu
thought brought q quick spasm OF re
He became impatient at the SLOW
moving car and then fretful over tn,
hardness OF the ferry. He was cage
. to rush to his friends office and b.
i, some diplomatic trick arrive at thu
truth. But then. II Bob didn't know
r and In spite of himself this though
! took preponderance. what would he d.
I then? Should he turn tale bearer AM
say the word that always embitter
D even when the best OF friends Is 1t
b. mouthpiece? His loyalty to Jane. toe
i might deter him. The idol was shat
tered. but 1t was still an idol. Tha
Dick did not fully know. There Nigh
d be ruins, but they would never fall t
u the level OF Brands. He becam
4 acutely conscious OF an increasin
q hatred for the INSCRIPTIONS million
, aire and a decreasing resentment Il
, ward the woman.
+ Dick found his friend at work In tn
q laboratory OF the big construction con
pany. Bob's quarters were on the tot
q most foor of Bowling Green ak!
q scraper and not far from the Offices {
" Brands concern 1t was nearly al
o'clock and Bob. coatless and wit
III sleeves rolled up, wac hurrytng throug
the Anal stages OF q rush Job.
u Hello, Dick" he greeted without a,
vancing. What brings you up at tn
10 hour7 I'd shake but my hands al
a. mussed up a bit Sit down. I'll /
10 through i'm ten minutes"
r. Dick declared he had just droppe
In and subsidized on a convenient stoc
Fascinated. he watched Reynolds mo
ing quickly 10 and fro at his wor
transferring some substance from
n" glass crucible to another; depositing
10 bit here In a small iron kettle over
IT. fame and dropping more there into
square zinc can packed In Ice: waite
o. ing tne tests almost simultaneously
he four or Ave different vessels: stoppir
he occasionally to tot down results in
-, little book: keen. alert and accurat
Here was the competent workman fC
n. getrul OF all but his work. Forgetf
H. even OF employer: oblivtous to frien,
immersed In his task. Dick could n
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