Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1923-07-26

awoke to the actual present too late
to stem the tide Of tears that sudden
ly rose to the girls eyes.
"0h." she sobbed, what Il TO be-
come Of met ! was 80 happy here. n
you hadn't made me thinkw
II anything has been said In the
course Of these pages to give the Inn
preston that Mr.. Randolph was mod
eled after Joseph or hewn out Of Ice
or packed with probity to the exciu-
sion OF red blood. forget II. AT the
sight OF those tears. he slid the length
Of the couch to first base. iieided the
girl In his arms switched her round
so that she lay across his knees, drew
her face against his shoulder. and
rocked her gently.
You poor kiddie." he said softly.
-what q devil Of a timc you've had |
But believe me when tell you It's all
over. This is the night that starts your
old happy sun into the blue sky again.
Don't worry"
She stopped crying and looked up
into the honest face 80 close to her
own. puzsling a. to how just those
words could have come from Il; bue
the world had taught her q hard ls~
son In varying standards. She drew Z
long ouivering sigh
III you could only walt until love
you, body and SOUL" she breathed.
"what on earth do you meanr
asked Mr.. Randolph.
-why. then 1t wouldn't BE- 30 bad
80 ugly"
II don't get you." remarked Robert
Hervey.
"A man told me Just a little while
ago that he was making Q catalogue
Of reasons why women give them.
selves" she continued. HE had eleven
already. and yet he was one Of the
incest men I've met. He talked to me
rs though he were showing me way
that must travel alone"
"Reallyr' said Mr.. Randolph. stiff
fleming perceptibly.
The lowest reason Of all was for
cold cash." she went on. a. though he
had not spoken. Then came the gilt.
ter Of precious stones, and. after that,
silk underwear
"Silk underwear" exclaimed Mr..
Randolph. mystifed and interested In
spite Of himself.
-of course you couldn't understand
that" she said. "not unless you had
seen some poor girl bury her face In
crepe de chine and lace. tremble to try
them on. and then sob because she had
to wear clothes over them"
Look here" said Mr. Randolph.
shuddering at the pity OF IL: "we'll
pass on to the NEXT. II you don't mind"
Curiosity comes next" resumed the
girl obediently. "A woman Ia weak
until she knows everything. Then
comes a funny one that you won't I'M
derstand at all. It's called Because
Because he had on q coat that re-
minded her Of an old coat that man
she had loved used to wear"
my dear girl" protested Mr.. Ran
dolph.
81 said they weren't interesting"
she reminded him dlspassionately. Her
eyes widened. "And now" she con-
tlnued, I'VE 20 up and up--splte that
stabs Its own heart; the lonely soul |:
consuming fire. and. last and greatest
reason Of all. just love" Her eyes
glowed to some distant focus. IF all
myself. my honor. my past. and my
future dissolve to the single drop Of
present moment In the crystal cup OF
love, then let me give myself TO n
lovers lips for. once drained. nothing
will be left upon which to hang the
badge OF shame---n0thing remain In
all the world but the spirit and--and
the sacrifice"
"Glri." said Mr.. Randolph, crushing
her to him rs though he snatched her
back from Just beyond his clasp.
where In your mind wandering7 What
have you been thlnkingf That was
asking you toto give yourself to
meT'
Her eyes came suddenly TO his face.
"Yes," she said: IT thought that"
He stared at her for long silent mo-
ment. his lips wsvering nervously be-
tween pity and severity. A flush
swept over her face. and into her eyes
crept q look Of fear. you don't want
mer' she whispered; then, as he did
not speak: kiss me. I wish you to
kiss me-"
There was something In her insist.
ence that clutched at his heart and
bent him forward. He drew her head
up slowly TO meet his lips and kissed
her az lightly. as lmpersonally as
brother ever saiuted sister. but far
more fearfully. Immediately her body
went limp In his arms. turned to q
dead weight Of unlnspired flesh.
ut Ia true" she murmured, des-
perately. "You don't really want me
and I can never love you now"
Randolph awoke 10 that still cry.
He shook her. seized her head In both
his hands. and forced her eyes to meet
the blaze In his.
"You generous. careless. adorable
little fool I" he growled. "why. you're
the most desirable and precious bundle
Of lovable charm that robber man
ever trembled to hold In sacrilegious
arms"
She stared at him amazed.
-why don't you kiss the way you