Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-07-13

nave come, AnS tAM. ana tflSM HA6N&0.
Her eyes wavesed. Was she glad he
had conner
Collingeferd caught her mood. "Just
what do yeu mean by that9" he asked
gravely. a.
AIix' eyes came back to his face.
81 dent know" she stammered.
They sat down. Collingeford dropped
his hat and stick and leaned for
ward. A dull color burned In his
cheeks. aAiix," he said. sshas--has
anything happenedw
"No." said AK, not what you
mean. Gerry II alive He has writ
ten. He says ~ Ia coming hack
some time"
Colllngeford sprang to his feet. his
eyes flashing.
"some time! Did he really write
that7 Some timer"
There was a petulant look about
Alix' mouth that belonged to an Ah1
of long ago. She tried to shake II on
with her mood. "No." she said duly.
after a pause. 'He didn't write just
that but II amounts to the same thing.
He wrote but he has not come"
Cellingeford paced UP and down the
little veranda. his arms crossed and
one hand pulling nervously at his mus
tache. He came to stop before AK
and stood looking down at her, his
eyes eager but questioning. "WellY'
he said
Alix made a little gesture Of despair
with her two hands. I'll don't know"
she repeated. Then. quite quietly. she
began to cry.
Collingeferd caught her hands and
drew her to her feet. He put his arms
around her she laid her head against
his shoulder and sobbed. Collinge.
fcrd's heart was beating furiously
His arms trembled. He longed ia
strain her to him. but he only held her
firmly and patted her back. Some In.
stinct told him that this was not the
! moment Of possession.
When Alix could talk he knew that
his instinct was true. "Oh." she said
what a little beast I am! Unfair to
you, unfair to myself"
She disengaged herself and sal
down. With a tiny square OF cambria
she dabbed at her eyes.
| Here" said Coilingeford. and held
out big, fresh handkerchief.
Alix took 1t and used II solemnly
Then its bulk struck a sudden note
OF humor. she laughed and Collinge
ford smiled. As he gave back the hand
kerchief she pressed Collingeford's
hand. II have been little beast
NO." said Collingeford gravely
you have been unspeakably lovable.'
| 1T would have been that IL loved
you. But l don't. That's why I've
been beast. TO make You think
Collingeford interrupted her. "Yor
made me think nothing. Somehow
knew. / knew 1t was just loneliness
running over from full heart"
Alix nodded. "How wonderful Of
you to understand" she said. "Lone
ly. Yes. I've been terribly lonely
Never before so lonely"
You shall not be lonely any more.
said Collingeford. EVERY day IL
come ana talk to you. take you out
anything. I'm yours"
Alix shook her head from side Il
side. Her eyes refused him.
"Alix," cried Collingeford, hurt
don't you want me even for friend 2
Don't mistake what I'm going I,
say, will your" said Alix.
Collingeford shook his head.
GERRY Is coming back" went OF
Alix, butt don't know what he Il
bringing back. Perhaps 1t Is some
thing he can't share with me; perhap
1t is something / do not want. Whei
you went away / had only faith; nov
/ have only doubt. Such big doubt
That's why l said to you, I dom
know And while don't know will
not have you even for friend" Ali,
flushed and fixed her eyes on Collinge
ford's face. do you understands
Collingeford's eyes were glowing
YES" he said, II think / do. Yol
mean that perhaps-later on--you will
send for me-"
Perhaps only perhaps" Whispered
Alix.
Collingeford picked up his hat ant
stick. He took Alix' hand and held 1
long. She would not look up. Ell,
stopped and kissed her fingers.
81 shall be waiting" he said.
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