Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-09-30

Uncle SAM" snatches OF Dixie" and
other evidences OF patriotism, the gay
party wound up the Grand canal, set.
ting OF fireworks, making speeches
singing and doing hundred mad
FRANKS that shocked the staid respect.
able Venetians plying back and forth
In their somber gondolas, and made
matter for ambitious reporters and cor.
respondents.
The canal rang with uncorked pa.
triotism, and those who had been long.
est from home were widest in their
demonstrations. ...s
Az the gay ride drew to an end. be.
lasco Bowen gathered up the remain.
ing Roman candles, and, picking his
way to the bow, steadied himself in
the rocking boat, grasped a stick OF
punk from M. Van Wendt's hand, and
touched of all the candles In a bunch.
He lurched awkwardly with dip of
the boat, and shower OF sparks scat
tered over Constance Van Wendt.
My dress!" she cried. frantically
fighting on the sparks.
A dozen hands few to her aid, and
the sparks were instantly extin-
guished. Belasco Bowen apologized
sincerely, and no harm being done, re-
turned to waving his candles over the
water out OF harms way.
Constance Van Wendt was excited
~ arranging her attire with the help
OF her soiicitous mother.
"Your diamond? The Duchess Dia-
mondl" cried Mrs. Van Wendt sudden
ly. Where Is it?"
Miss Van Wendt's hand went to her
throat, cropping for the chain on which
the famous stone had swung. "Why,
It's gone!" She felt among the frills
OF her dress, her face anxiously lined
and CHASTITY white In the glare Of Bow
ems falling rockets.
The deck was searched. Miss Van
Wendt's clothes were shaken out, and
when the launch was finally moored at
San Marco the whole party fell to ex-
aiming the foor-planks for crevices.
But nothing came to light, until Belas-
co Bowen, beside himself with anx.
iety for having indirectly caused the
loss, caught CLINT Of gold on the gun.
vale. and found the chain hanging
down, on the outside. almost touching
the water.
Van Wendt grasped the thin chain
and jerked 1t Off.
sssrha utnra ciiJ t,,fyx tha xr,atnr ~,
stance!" no cried, holding up the finely
linked chain. tits gone down to the
bottom Of the Grand canal"
u must replace IT." cried Belasco
Bowen anxiously "It was my stupid
awkwardness that caused 1t all. In
fighting the fire come one must have
accidentally torn 1t from her throat"
"The chain was specially made,
there Is platinum wire running
through It," explained Van Wendt.
holding 1t UP. II thought 1t was safe"
He passed It into the hand of Chris
topher Poe. See! 1t must have caught
on something. An awful wrench. Didn't
you feel 1t. Constance?"
In the excitement and everything"
she murmured. Il don't know what I
felt"
The party. already having dwindled
to dozen. fled sadly into a cafe for
supper.
i've heard OF the stone" whispered
one OF the college youths, as the pa
triotic party took seats. ITS worth a
cool hundred thousand. Van Wendt
Is the Chicago grain operator, you
know"
All the madness of celebration had
fiickered out, and the remaining tour.
lists sat lowering over ices, hushed,
hanging on the words OF Van Wendt.
There Is just a chance that some
body might have picked up the stone
suggested Bowen. glancing about the
table thoughtfully.
mo, there Ia no chance, the chain
was trailing In the water; ! should
have had the stone fastened to It. but
the jeweler said It must slide. and let
him have his way. But, come. don't
let this put q damper on US. Let's all
have nightcap and break up" Van
Wendt's forced cheerfulness chilled
them all. and tho nightcap was me-
drunk In silence.
Half an hour later there remained at
the table only Eelasco Bowen and
Christopher Poe.
''Mr Hardy. what would you do in
q position like miner" asked Bowen,
earnestly addressing the New York
banker, whose affected simplicity and
sincerity had won his confidence.
You see. l am morally to blame for
the loss. but the stone could not be
duplicated. might send them another
anonymously to make up for It"
MIR. Van Wendt seemed satisfied
that 1t was only m unavoidable acct
dent; am sure he can stand the loss. -
replied Christopher Poe.
You don't think he'll harbor any
resentment toward met"
why, no. Ii Was all In the game.
He came along with us. and the acct.
dent happened. that's all. You are no
more responsible than I am"
but urged the Van Wendts to join
us." said Bowen ruefully.
.lt's mighty unfortunate. but I'd for
get 1t Il I were you. You started q
good time. and we all enjoyed 1t: let's
think OF that instead OF the unfortu-