Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-05-11
PhWNS!
BY HOPE AiNsLiE.

chimed eight several minutes be!ore
and Anthony Saxton had not put In an
appearance.
After a bit, Mr. Podderington's keen
ear detected the sound OF rubber
tires on gravel, and the lines OF his
wrinkled old face softened as he
touched bell. One could never tell
at Anthony's age which game OF chess
would be the last.
Hello, JIMMY" Anthony, fat and
apoplectic of complexion, waddled into
the room. SORRY I'm late"
Mr.. Podderington grunted sourly.
"You look IT. What did you come at
all for II you have to be late?
| "Tut.tut, Jimmy. Don't be so vine
gary. I'm late because had to send
a telegram. Neilie's girl Is coming to
visit her granddaddy. | had letter
today. / haven't seen her since she
was a baby, and-let's see--bow old IL
she now? forget. but she graduated
last spring"
Are we. or are we not, going to
have a game tonight? II you'd rather
have a quilting bee, where everyone
can talk his head off, we might ar.
range It,"
Anthony put out protesting hand.
"All right James. I'll play right now
and won't say another word"
| And secretly tickled to DEATH"
snapped Mr.. Podderington, moving his
| queens pawn two spaces with jerk.
| hot
| means an end to all this. hope you
4 realize"
Mr. Saxon looked his wretchedness.
Podderington decided to change tao
tics.
"Ali right, Toney. don't worry. Wen
fix II some way. have 1t! III send
for one OF Bertha's boys to visit nue..
Anything over twenty, say. There
now. drop the whole thing and play"
The week before Mr.. Anthony Sax
ton received the disturbing news OF
his granddaughter visit. Mrs. Tom
Weatherby happened to look out OF
her living.room window Just as Vir-
parted company.
! Mrs. Weatherby's keen eyes de-
tected something In his manner that
made her bristle with indignation. And
when Virginia came in with blazing
cheeks and a soft. happy light in her
deep blue eyes, the rage In her moth
er's heart overtiower its bounds.
Virginia, this nonsense between
you and Harold Harcourt has got to
stop. Your Grandfather Saxton would
never permit II. You must remember
your duty to your family. II we al
lowed such a thing as a marriage with
, anyone of the Harcourt family. we
should .be cut of without cent"
And after a heart-toheart talk with
Mr.. Weatherby. II was decided that II
was time to remind Grandfather Sax
, ton OF their existence anyway, and vir
ginia's trip was planned.
Virginia" said Grandfather Saxtor
across the prodigious dinner table the
first evening. IAN old friend Ia coming
tonight to play cards"
Something In her sad face made /,
, hard for him to suggest that she make
| any effort to entertain strange young
man at his bidding,
The old man felt misgivings. Pod
derington's an old fool" he exploded
. suddenly. to Virgina's surprise ane
wonderment. Look here, Virginia
he's bringing young cub of a grand
. son of his along for you to entertain
v You look him over and II you DON
like him say so and out he'll go
At eight o'clock precisely. a moto
sounded upon the drive. then came 1
few loud taps OF the knocker. In an
= other instant. MIR. James PodderingtoI
came into the room followed by
younger man, who stopped student!
v when the girl got up from hor chai
and turned to meet them.
"Virginia!' he cried. starting for
=, ward.
Harold" cried Virginia at the sam
!, moment and looking IA though sh
u were undecided whether to faint o
rush headlong into the arms he wa
making II apparent were quite read
v to receive her. But the color in he
h cheeks made II plain to Grandfathe
Saxton that her recent indispositiol
was not due entirely to poor health.
"Huh~~huh! What's all this?" erie,
q MIR, Podderington.
IL They seem to know one another
jim" ventured Anthony. Virgins
this Is Mr.. podderington. Now pleas
tell US the Joke and who it's on. 81
10 down. everyone
u Yes, yes! And times flying, Pleas
be quick!" added the other old ma
impatiently as he looked at the clock
r. I'm tell you" put In Harold. notin
Virginia's beseechtng look 'Virgini
- and | love one another and have 10
years. But she isn't allowed to look a
| me for fear MIR. Saxton viii disinheri
the family. and to tell you the truth
grandfather, I'm not supposed to loo
ut Virginia, for dad says mother wi
never get sou from you II marry
Weatherby. That's the truth"
"Rot!" exclaimed Mr. Podderingtol
I'll disinherit the whole lot of dor
Keys II you don't marry hsr--that'
II Ia