Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1924-09-18

the retort. verinder at last had re-
volteG against being played with fast
and loose. He was going because OF
her violent Irritation with Jack Kill
meny. This was his declaration OF
Independence.
Miss Seldom was alarmed. She had
not for a minute intended to let the
millionaire escape. The very posi-
bility OF II frightened her. IL had not
occurred to her that the little man had
spirit enough TO resent her course so
effectively. With the prospect of los
ing II In sight. his great wealth
doomed up to dwarf the desire Of the
hour. She blamed herself because
In the excitement OF her AFFAIR with
Kilmeny she had for the first time In
her life let herself forget real values
But Joyce was too cool hand to
waste time in repining so long as there
was a chance to repair the damage.
Was the lost prize beyond recovery
Two points were In her favor. verin-
der had not yet gone, and he was very
much infatuated with her. She would
have to fatter him by abasing her
self, by throwing herself upon his
mercy. But since this must be done,
she was prepared to pay the price.
II appeared that Dobyans verinder
did not intend to give her an oppor-
tunity. From the soup to the walnuts
the topic of conversation had to do
with the impending departure Of the
mine owner. Joyce was prepared to
be very kind to him. but he did not
for an instant let his eyes dwell In
hers. Behind the curtain OF her dark
silken lashes she was alertly conscious
Of the man without appearing to be
so. He meant to snub her, to leave
without seeing her alone. That was
to be her punishment for having cut
too deep into his self-esteem. He was
going to jilt her.
During dinner and during that sub
sequent half hour while the ladies
waited for the men to rejoln them.
Joyce was in tremor OF anxiety. II
Jack would only stay away until she
could see verinder /.
She called the mine owner to her
the instant that the men reappeared.
He looked across the room sullenly
and appeared for one dubious moment
to hesitate. But before he could frame
an excuse she had spoken again.
II want you to see this ridiculous
illustration. II Ii the most anus
Ing
She held up the book to him. No
illustration met the eyes Of the sur
prised man. Joyce was pointing to a
sentence In the story heavily under
scored by a pencil.
why are you so cruel to met"
His chin dropped with amazement.
Then slowly an angry flush rose to
his face. His Jaw set firmly as he
looked at her.
"Yes. It's certainly ridiculous
and amusing" he said aloud.
There's another. too" she went on
quickly. recovering the book.
Her fingers turned page or two
swiftly. On the margin was a pen
ciled note.
II must see you alone, Dobyana
must"
She lifted to him a face flushed and
eager, from which wounded eyes filmy
with tears appealed TO him. Her shy.
ness, her dlfiidence. the chlldlike call
upon his chivalry were wholly charm
ing. She was a dlstractingly pretty
woman. and she had thrown herself
upon his mercy. verinder began In.
sensibly to soften, but he would not
give mp his grievance.
"It's amusing. too-and unneces
sary, l think" he said.
The long iashes fiuttered tremulous
ly 10 her cheeks. II seemed to him
that she was on the verge of uncon
seriousness. that the pent emotion was
going TO prove too much for her.
81 think the story calls for It.
she answered. little brokenly.
He retorted, still carrying on the
conversation that was TO mean one
thing TO the others in case they heard
and another to them. Depends or
the point Of view, l suppose. The
story Is plain enough-doesnt neec
any more TO carry Its meaning"
He was standing between her anc
the rest OF the party. Joyce laid ar
appealing hand on his coat sleeve
Tears brimmed over from the soft
eyes. She bit her lip and turned hel
head away. IL ever woman con
fessed love without words Joyce wat
doing Il now. verinder's iniiammabl,
heart began to quicken.
"wheref" he asked grudingly, low
ering his voice.
A glow OF triumphant relief swep
through her. She had won. But the
very nearness Of her defeat tempered
pride to an emotion still related to
gratitude The warm eyes that met
his were alive with thanks. She
moved her head slightly toward the
window.
In another moment they stood out.
side, alone In the darkness. The night
was chill and she shivered at the
change from the warm room. verin-
der stepped back into the parlor,
stripped from the plano the small
Navajo rug that draped II. and re
Joined Joyce on the porch. He
wrapped II about her shoulders