Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1923-12-20

10 his other foot and glanced down
at the bright hair of the girl. The
old banker studied him. slowly. II
never noticed II b'fore how much y'u
look-and act-like y'ur father
Size and looks and--actions. you're
like him. the old man went on. "Of
all the men ! ever knowed. think
he was the noblest, and--the finest
gentleman. A soldier every inch, but
no business man. That's why"
He stopped abruptly. took his hand
from his daughters head and dropped
Il to her shoulder. His deep-set eyes
strayed away-perhaps into the past.
with Its memories.
He looked MP after q time, In his
quick penetrating way.
"How's the cattlef"
The question was so at variance
with the thoughts In the woodsman's
mind that he was slow In answering.
Fine, sir"
about ready T. marketT'
Most any day. now. Three drovers
have ben e see 'em Already"
"Sell 'em-as soon as y'u please.
what1l they bringr
IF the market holds. they ough' T.
top Ave thousan'."
"F1ve thousan'--thats q heap o.
money"
The bony fingers drummed hard
geted In his seat In a way that seemed
20 indicate that the interview was over
The girl rose.
Father. we're goin' up In the woods
T. see the sun setback and me-"
A statement that was half ques-
ton. The old man did not look up.
They were at the door of the dining
room. the woodsman standing aside to
let the girl pass, when the banker
turned In his chair.
Jack"
The girl stopped; the man turned
back.
Tickle tells me you're ieavin' Us as
soon a. you're twenty-one."
I'm amin to. SIR"
"And thatTl be-"
"The twentieth-seven more days"
"Seven days." The old man
frowned: rasped his hand over the dry
stubble on his bony chin. swell, seven
days is-seven days" he muttered.
"Hit amt b'cause I've ben hard on
y'u. Is itr
"No. sir. II amt that. You've ben
q good to me that II makes II hard
Z 20. but ! got & do somethin' rr
m'self--now."
The old man bent his brows thought.
fully: nodded toward his daughter In
the door of the dinlng-room.
"She says you're calc'iatin' e jine
a wagon train rr California"
Eyes, sir. that's what I'm amin Z
do, II you're stili minded T. give me
Graylock when my times out.
TIN amin Z pick up enough--gold
out there e come back and buy the
homestead. II you'll sell II { me. and
make my father's-and mother's-
dream come true"
The old man dropped his eyes and
drew his hand across his shaggy
.brows.
'The day you're-twenty- one"-his
voice was strained. and he seemed to
weigh each word before letting II fall
"we1l have long talk. you and me.
bfore y'u jine that wagon train"
He stopped forward, picked up q
bundle Of papers from the floor and
began sorting them over.
The others passed out through the
kitchen, where Mrs, Curry was busy
about the cook stove
The witchery Of the coming sunset
was astir among the spllntered peaks
and pinnacies Of the bold headland.
The woodsman took OF his hat. swept
bis eyes over the far,spread landscape,
drank deep the wonder OF II. slowly
turned TO his companion.
He allowed himself to revel for
delicious moment In the rich complete
ness Of her, as she stood lightly poised
on the rock.
His arm unconsciously stole toward
her; but he drew II back and pointed
TO the tiny flower bed at the foot Of
the outstanding pinnacle. The girl
followed the motion. softly clapped her
hands and stood looking down at the