Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1924-10-02

Anger stirred In him again. did
] say you had done anythingT
But You think I'm to blame You
know you do"
do n" His vanity and suspicion
| made him wary, though he knew she
was trying 10 win him back. He told
himself that he had been made a
fool OF long enough.
Yes, you do and It's all your
fault She broke down and turned
half from him. Deep sobs began to
rack her body.
'Id like to know how It's my fault"
he demanded resentfuliy. "Am to
blame because you broke your engage
ment to walk with me and went with
that thief KilmenyT
"Yes." The word fell from her lips
80 low that he almost doubted his
ears.
"Whatf BY Jove. that's richi"
Her luminous eyes fell full into his.
then dropped. IF II you can't
see"
See what? see you threw me
overheard for him. I see you've been
flirting a mile a minute with the beg
gar and playing fast and loose with
me. I'm hanged II I stand IT,"
"Oh, Dobyans Don't you seer
I +. have no mother"
"Don't take the point"
She spoke as troubled child, as
II TO the breezes Of the night. II
have to be careful. You know how
people talk. Could let them say that
I +. ran after you" The last
words were almost In a whisper
do you mean r.
"oh. couldn't you sect How blind
men arei"
The little man. moved TO his soul
because this proud beauty was so
deeply In love with him, took her in
his arms and kissed her.
A little shudder went through her
blood. II had not been two hours
since Jack Kilmeny's kisses had sent
a song electrically into her veins. But
she trod down the momentary nausea
with the resolute will that had always
been hers, yerinder had paid for the
right 10 caress her. He had offered
his millions for the privilege. She too
must pay the price for what she re-
ceived.
"we must 90 In" she told him pres
entity. '"They viii wonder"
They won't wonder long, by Jove,"
he replied, a surge Of triumph in his
voice.
Joyce looked nj him quickly.
you're not going to tell them to-
nighti"
He nodded. Tonight, my beauty"
ooh, no. Please not tonight. Let's
keep II TO ourselves for a few
days. dear" The last word was
trlne belated. but that might be be-
cause she was not used to IT,
verinder shot look OF quick sus-
picion at her. "rm going to tell them
tonight--as soon as we get back into
the room"
"But surely It's for me to
say that, Dobyans. want TO keep
our little secret for awhile" She
caught with her hands the lapels OF
his dinner jacket and looked plead
ingly nc him.
"No--tonight." He had good deal
OF the obstinacy characteristic OF
many stupid men, but this decision
was based on shrewd sense. He held
the upper hand. So long as they were
In the neighborhood Of Jack Kllmeny
he intended 10 keep II.
Even though l want to waitr'
"why do you want to waltz" he de-
manded sullenly. Because OF that
fellow Kilmenyr
she knew that she had gone as far
as she Jared. How absurd. OF
course not. Tell them II you like, but
It's the first favor I've asked OF you
since"
Her voice faltered and broke. II
held note OF exquisite pathos. verin.
der felt like a brute. but he did not
intend to give way.
'You haven't any real reason.
Joyce"
isn't II a reason that want
20 keep our engagement just TO our
selves for few daysf It's our secret
yours and mine-and l don't want
everybody staring at us just yet. DO
byans. Don't you underestimate"
Different here" he answered jaunt-
lily. Il want to shout II from the house
top" He interrupted himself TO
caress her again and TO kiss the little
pink ear that alone was within reach.
"fll make II up 20 you hundred
times, but I'm jolly well set on telling
them tonight, dear"
She gave up with shrug. not be-
cause she wanted to yield but because
she must. Her face was turned away
from him, 50 that he did not see the
steely look In her eyes and the hard
set Of the mouth. She was thinking
~ Jack kilmeny. What would he say
or do when he was toldi Surely he
would protect her. lie would not give
her away. II he were n gentleman.
he couldn't betray a woman. But how
far would the code of her world gov
ern himl He was primeval man.
Would the savagery In him break
boundsi
Within Ave minutes she found out.