Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1920-01-08
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"a 1879. BY Mcclure IeguoDaess oynA1sasAI
Like a luxurious euA Doris Lee
sat curied upon the ~ watching her
hostess, Marion Kslt oa1asnly Doris
gave n sidelong 49, q her CON-
panion and said 4 y Have you
heard about Phil SaI llazdear
what about hing esked the ether.
a. 81 turned toward The speaker.
"why haven't sou heard. reallyr' In
her excitement Doris fairly bounced up
on the bed. 'They say he's engaxed to
Mabel bradley! or course, We don't
know for certain that It's 40. but he's
been seen with her a lot aud we all
think It's terrible. II it's 70. because
everybody knows he's been going
around with you for perfect ages
and-r
u don't believe IT," broke In Marion.
ana slipped out. closing the doar be-
hind her.
Across the hall Marion was on her
knees BY the bed. Over and over she
was whispering. her head bowed on her
tightly clasped hands. "Oh. Il cant b
col Pills not like ti,at--l know" but
no peace came. She remembered how
little she had seen Phil lately---uos
since their last dance when he had
come In late and had danced only
twice with her. But she had thought
mat he looked tired--still, hadn't he
danced with Mabel more than THAR
Back and forth waged the battle OF
doubt and loyalty, until the girl was
worn out. At last she climbed YEARLY
into bed. to stare for long hours into
the dark. thinking--thinking.
week went BY with no word from
PHI. Perhaps he was away. but he
always wrote or telephoned to her. He
was not III, or she would have heard.
She felt that her friends all pitied her.
She would prove to them that she did
not carel And % Marion ran 10 the
telephone and called up her cousin,
Harry. who was only too glad to flnd
her In such a responsive need. For
days she motored with him, cauosd
with him. danced with him. laughed
with him and did her best to quiet the
persistent ache In her heart, but with
little success.
Then came the club dance. For three
years Phil had taken Marion to the
club dance. but Il was Harry who came
for her tonight and found her looking
very lovely In Z chiffon tiress, like .
rosy cloud. Her heart was Q whiri Of
emotions. Would Phil be at the dancer
What would she say or do Il he wsref
A. they entered the great hall TO-
gethar Marion's eager eyes looked
quickly about. and instipctivcly no
shrank back against the wall: Tor
there was Phil. dancing with Mabel
and looking down into her upturnsd.
laughing face with smile.
Come on. ist's dancer said Harry,
happily. and swung Marion into the
crowd.
The nth dance found her again with
Harry. Suddenly she heard Z ray
"Hello. Marion r. and looked up 70 80
Doris smiling at her, and above the
golden head. Phii's gray eyes looking
straight into her own.
She missed her step and Harry
looked at her curiously. whats the
matter; tiredr' he asked.
"A little" said Marion. Lets 70 out
on the balcony; It's 20 cool and quiet
1 there"
Suddenly the girl heard footsteps
coming toward her. The thought that
perhaps II was Harry come to and her
caused her to look up. and there stood
Phil. Marion sat very stu. while her
heart licked on the seconds.
MAY nit DOWN" asked Phil. aud
there was q tremble In his voice. A
Marion did not speak. he pulled chair
over and sat down beside her. Then
Phil spoke. hcsitatingiy. 'Siarion,~ -
said. Il don't know ~ you've noticed
| Il. or cared, but ! haven't been around
~ much lately"
mo-" said Marion. Ia curious tone
less voice. you haven't"
"Weli. you remember that last biz
dance. They told me that you were en-
gagged to that fellow" Marion gave .
gasp. 1.-THE same one you're with to-
night. At first didn't believe II. and
well. II sure looked II. and now She
they say Il was all joke and he's
your cousin, and"--he turned = pus-
sled. hurt face 70 MarIon--"what does
II mean. anyhow"
Then you're not engsEedr' cried
Marion huskily. "and you're not going
to marry Mabel Bradley
"What." exploded Phil. "what do you
meant"
why Doris said"
Phil gave suppressed whisue. TT
was Doris told me shout you" he cried.
Pills eyes fell. but his hands tight
ened their grasp on hers.
n was jealous and just wanted to
show you didn't care" he mumbled
IN . shamed vsice: and then. raising
his head again. he looked straight Into
her eyes and said quietly: There
never was anybody but you. Marion.
and you know It. don't ever want to
live another two weeks ike these last
two. Tell me. you do carer
Martens tremuiOus. happy smilo