Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1917-09-06

ln tt4ag We were EaaasSett. and a.
ctrcisva m~taatIai evitieScv wouA II
! against us, A murlaar az sn~er ran
araansl the room aad the man wtth tbs
rcse Iingerssi II uegr ousiy,
Steady, boys" the sheriff ordered
+ ''oae moment" The yogng man with
the camera held ny his hand, Don't
| move"
There WAS a binding flash. and my
ovcgwroaght nerves Jumped seven feet
| and rcbounded before my brain assured
them that 1t was only flashhsht.
| The effect on the four members Of
the ambulance squad was even more
| startling. Apparently not expecting
the explosion. they dropped their bur
Den ana stood with mouths open. Ac-
cidentally they dropped the body in a
sitting posture.
There was slight scream. Mrs.
Where am -
Ii the officers Of the law had been
startled before. their condition now
was absolute CONSERVATION.
Madame the sheriff inquired.
aren't you dead:
Il should say not!'
Then you are not Mrs. Green"
Il certainly am"
'Buo Mrs. Green is dead. Her daugh.
ter told us So
Dead! Fiddlesticks! It's a wonder
I'm not, though, after coming over
here in an open boat and being at
tackled by half naked savage with
whiskers, and, let's see-some one
was shot. That's when l tainted,
guess. because l don't remember any.
thing more until just now"
"All l have to say" stated the man
with the rope, tanning his hat on dis
respectfully, lis that this is a bum
night to get man to play a Joke on
him."
Madame" the sheriff said, with
gloomy politeness. you have spoiled
the only murder case we ever had in
Maskeloon county; that's what you
have done. Come on. boys"
In majestic silence the members Of
the sheriff's posse filed from the room.
The young man with the camera was
left behind. hastily picking up his
traps In order to join the others before
their boat left the island.
approached him.
Now that there is no murder mys-
terry" l began, II presume that the
picture you took will be useless
Not at ALL" he answered, too busy
folding up his tripod to notice that l
had opened the shutter Of his camera.
well find use for 1t some way
lit q match and held 1t about an
inch from the lens Of the camera, pre-
tending to examine the name Of the
maker on It.
What are you doing?" he demand
ell sharply
Just looking at your lens.' l an
swercd. blowing out the match. It's
a Dalmeyer, see"
happen to that negative. Il left the
film in the camera"
Did your" l asked innocently and
closed the shutter, once more unob-
served. MAY we have one of the
pictures If they turn out well?"
He smiled.
If this picture turns out WELL" he
said. NEARLY everybody I'm the United
States will have a copy Of it. I'm a
photographer for the Hartman Syndi-
cate OF Newspapers"
That's what thought" answer
ed returning his smile.
After he was gone l added, That's
why let that negative get light
struck
My assorted companions were sit
ting on opposite sides Of the table.
Pardon me-" l murmured. IL be-
lieve that you have not met Mrs,
Green. this is Upton S. Clair"
us he the one who wrote the article
about fasting?" Mrs. Green asked me.
again ignoring her vis-a-vis.
'IIc is" admitted.
Mrs Green said nothing further
II presume" Clair stated sourly,
Mrs. Green has forgotten that she
stuck a hatpin through my thumb less
than half an hour ago"
1T. was not a hatpin. 1t was a safe
~ pin bent out straight. | was afraid
It would not reach Was that your
,hnnb you held over the keyhole?"
1t was. suppose you are sorry It
was not my eye"
could see that the more we talked
I'll. worse the situation would get, SO |
interrupted them. I'VE might as well
20 back" suggested YEARLY. survey
ing my companions. IL am going to
the mainland. Mrs. Green. and I can
leave you at home as go by
You're not going away, Mr.. Blai-
ney?" Mrs Green asked. with mother
| ly Kindness.
YES" l answered.
whats the matter?" she queried
gently. Lucille? You mustn't let her
hekleness hurt you. She has fads In
| beans as well as fads IN foods and ex-
| crriSeS."
assured her witt. what dignity l
| had left that would prefer to con
| a.. .t,is 40