Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1924-08-21


planned their disposition for the night
wen stay In the tunnel. You1l be
alone here-and quite safe. No need
TO be In the least nervous. Make
yourselves comfortable TIL morning II
you can"
"And you-do you mean that you're
going back to those menf'
Moya asked
They're quite tame-ready to eat
out Of my hand. Don't worry about
me-"
But I don't want you to 20. I'm
afraid to be alone. Stay here with
rs. Mr. Kilmeny. ] don't care about
sleeping" Joyce begged.
There's nothing to be afraid Of
and you need your sleep. I'll not be
far away. You couldn't be safer in
Goldbanks. I'll be on guard all night.
you know" he treasured.
II escaped him for the moment that
Joyce was thinking about her own
safety, while Moya was anxious about
his. but later he was to remember II.
He had not been gone ten minutes
before Joyce was sound asleep. She
trusted him and she trusted Moya. and
for her that was enough. All her life
she had relied on somebody else to
bear the brunt Of her troubles. But
the girl with the powdered freckles
beneath the dusky eyes carried her
own burdens. She too had implicit
confidence In the champion who had
come out Of the storm to help them
and had taken his life In hand to do
II. Her heart went out to him with
all the passionate ardor Of generous
youth. She had never met such
man. 80 strong. 20 masterful, and yet
so boyish.
Her brain was far too active for
slumber. She sat before the stove
and went over the adventures Of the
past two hours. How strange that
they had met him again In this dra-
matte fashion. Perhaps he lived at
Goldbanks now and they would see
more Of him. She hoped so nightly.
even though there persisted In her
mind picture Of his blue-gray eyes
paying homage to Joyce.
The storm had blown itself out be-
fore morning. A white world sparkled
with flashes Of sunlight when Moya
opened the door OF the cabin and
gazed out. Looking down into the
peaceful valley below, II was hard to
believe that death had called to them
20 loudly only a few hours earlier.
Kilmeny emerged from the shaft
house and called a cheerful good
morning across to her.
How did you sleepf' he shouted
as he crunched across the snow to-
ward her.
"Not so very well. Joyce slept for
both OF u.s."
Their smiles met They had been
comrades In the determination to
shield her from whatever difficulties
the situation might hold.
"rm glad. IL she quite herself this
morningf Last night she was very
tired and good deal alarmed"
"Yes. After you came Joyce did
NOT worry any more. she knew you
would see that everything came right"
The color crept into his bronzed
face. did she say sor'
Yea But Il was not what she
said. I could tell"
I'm glad could do what I did"
The eyes that looked at him were
luminous. Something sweet and mock.
ing glowed In them inscrutably. He
knew her gallant soul approved him.
and his heart lifted with gladness
The beauty Of her companion fas-
cinated him. but he OWNED in this
Irish girl the nne thread OF loyalty
that lifted her character out OF the
commonplace. Her slender, vivid per
sonality breathed vigor Of the spirit
wholly engaging.
Joyce Joined her friends In the door
way. With her cheeks still flushed |
from sleep and her hair a little d. |
sheveied. she reminded Jack of beau
tiful crumpled rose leaf. Since her |
charm was less an expression OF an |
inner quality. she needed more than |
Moya the adventitious aids OF dress.