Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1924-12-18

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sizes a Better Man Than You Arc,
Jack"
her whisper courage In that low. sweet
voice of hers"
"You know about her and Ned?"
YES"
He's a better man than you are.
Jack"
"Yes."
But you won't let him have her"
"No. by Cd. not unless she loves
him"
"She would have loved him II It
hadn't been for YOU"
"You mean she loves met"
"She won't marry you. She can't"
"why mott Because l don't belong
to her social setr'
"No. That would be reason enough
for Joyce or me, but ! don't think II
would stop Moya."
"You mean-highgradingr
"Yes."
Joyce interrupted further conf
dences by making her usual late APP
pearance for breakfast. At sight Of Kill
meny her eyes frightened Life always
became more interesting for her when
a possible man was present. Instantly
she came forward with a touch of re-
luctant eagerness that was very effec-
tive.
I'm glad to see you up again-so
glad, Mr.. Kilmeny."
In the pretty breakfast gown which
displayed her soft curves and the ripe
roundness of throat and arm she made
a picture wholly charming II Jack
was overpowered he gave no sign Of It.
"Glad to meet you. Miss Seldom"
Her eyes rained sweet pity on him
a tenderness potent enough to disturb
the serenity Of any young man not In
armor.
"we-we've been so worried about
you"
He laughed genlally and without re
sentiment. "Awfully good Of you
Shall / ring for the waiter?"
India rose. I'm going riding with
Ned and Moya." she explained.
Alone with the westerner. Joyce felt
her blood begin to quicken.
Are you quite recoveredr
she asked.
Their eyes met. In his there was q
faint cynical smile Of amusement
"Quite."
She understood the double meaning
IN his words. Her lashes fell to the
soft cheeks, then lifted again Il
thought perhaps there might be
that you might still be :"
He shook his head vigorously. cit
was only a dream. I can laugh at II
now-and at myself for taking 1t seri-
ously."
Joyce bit her lip In vexation- There
was something not quite decent In SO
prompt a recovery from her charms.
He did not appear to hold even any
resentment.
Nor did he. Kilmeny had been
brought too near the grim realities 10
hold any petty pique. He found this
young woman still charming. but MS
admiration was tinctured with amuse-
ment. No longer did his Imagination
play upon her personality. He focused
II upon the girl who had fought Tor
his life against the ridicule and the
suspicions of her friends. II was impos-
sIble for him TO escape the allure Of
her fine sweet courage 30 CALAMITY ex-
pressed in every look and motion
Rut Nova let him severely alone
Her pride was suffering because she
had shown to all her little world too
keen an interest In him In her anxiety
70 repudiate any claim he might think
she felt she had upon him the girl was
scornfuliy Indifferent to his advances
Almost rudely she rejected his grati-
tude.
The man does not owe me anything.
Can't he zee that honors are easyr
she said impatientiy to Lady Farquhar.
lack Kilmeny was no gutter. He
set that lean jaw Of his and would not
accept repuise. In four days now the
Farquhar party was going to leave
and he made the most Of
his time.
Moya never saw him coming toward
her without having her pulses stirred.
but her look met his always quietly
and steadily. Not once did she give
him q chance to see her alone Even
Lady Farquhar. who had been q severe
critic Of her vagaries. commended now
her discretion Jack rebeiled against
Il In vain. He could not ind Q chance
to speak. II was Characteristic OF him
that be made one.
By shrewd maneuvering he arranged
an expedition to the Silent Sam mine
The property itself was Of no particu-
lar interest. The attractive feature
was a descent In ore buckets from the
shaft house. perched far up on the
edge Of q precipitous ciI6. to the mill