Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1924-01-31
cnApTEa XII
Ashes OF the Past.

Renee on tnf Paet.
II was little enough that the red.
rooted cottage saw OF the youns
preacher-~breakfas by candle light
supper the same: an hour Of twilight
with Texle on the rustic seat ut Wills
perins spring. The rest OF the day be
spent 10 the study III the parsonage
where. a. the insistence Of the vener.
able widow, he lunched. He proved ca
be q very studiOus man. II was q
rare thing indeed 10 see him In day
light when his peering eyes we're pUi
porting over book. with another
usually tucked under his arm
Jack warhope had not yer climbed
the bluffs 10 the woods On 10. m1rB.
Ing Of that eyeniful DAP that Haired
forth the startled face 81 the mum.
tain girl with her hurried warning
lis dawn still eiunK 90 clin and scar.
aud many candles uere stlll aligiu In
the village. when the preacher Jeff the
parlor bedroom and came cut an the
porch.
Texls was already on the lawn. nit.
ting about among the flowers and
gathering a bouquet for the breakfast
table.
She was like then--fhe flowers: as
much part Of the rich life OF the
lawn ms they. Life--it radisted from
every curve u her plant body; II was
the one thought thar came first to
mind when looking ON her. There
were butterflies In the mellow glow
already arched above the rim Of the
east and sitting In through the cool
trees adrip with dew. but she was
more alive than they.
AZ sight OF her. a-tlptoe by lilac
bush aud reaching up for one OF it's
choicest blossoms, the studious con.
centration left the face OF the man on
the porch and there came over his
features curious sadness-a sadness
touched with fire. as II within him had
suddenly Haired up some desperate
battle Of the soul
The girl had heard the step on the
porch With the coveted blossom in
her hand al last, she placed IL with
the others. and turned with smile 81
sensible frnnkness.
The precise and studious concentra
ton instantly returned 10 the eyes be.
hind the spectacles the stoop came
back 10 the capable shoulders. aud,
with the quick. mlneing step that was
as much part of him as the frock
coat and neck stock. he came down on
the porch and joined her.
With the stately and somewhat pom.
derous courtesy of seventy years ago
he had taken the shears, begging q
be allowed 10 cut the flowers. when
the slam Of a gate drew their eyes Il
the back Of the yard. The old banke,
was Just coming from the barn. hi,
step leaving the rumpled trail In III,
gray dew Of the lawn. his rugged fac,
apparently fs,l OF It's accustomed
strength and color,
"W'y. father, I expected you'd sta,
In bed while this morning yet. afteI
that--fainty spell the other night"
Bed No place f'r well man sfteI
daylight"--he pulled himself up To IN,
last inch OF his gaunt hsigh, stretched
up his arms; filled his chest with the
dew.washed air, expelled Il with All
explosive exclamation thai scared a
couple OF blackblrds In the branches
above. and the crags and battenents
OF his grim old face smoothed them
selves out Into an expression as neat
as they could come To snlle-"an
I am well man--ii, AS a eddie"
"Bui. father. you don't think OF
goln' Ia the---ofiice t'dayr'
"Aw, I reckon y'u'd all rar up u
did"
''rm 80 glad-and won't II be nice I
have y'u at home all day aginl
wish y'u never would 20 back { tina
horrid OIL once ag'ln."
The old man put his arm around he
and patted her shoulder.
You're a good gal. Texie. ! dunno
what y'ur OF father would do withou
y'u. now that--that--"
lie stopped; let his eyes stray al
the river and far Into the east, al
flushed and spangled with the clos
coming Of the sun: the giri bent he
head; the preacher stood fumbling ia
shears In his hand.
"Mebbe will quit the office one q
these days"
His eyes were stili lost In the east
he spoke as n his heart was Their,
Ills daughter raised her head an
searched his face.
"You alw'ys say that but y'u nevs
do"
II dunno. better walk out than
carried out. they say. an I've come a
mighty nigh that very thing a time
two-heap nisher"-he brought b
eyes back out Of the east. noticed n
hurt on Ills daughters face and patts
her shoulder.
The sltting.room door opened, an
the portly form OF the housekesp'
appeared ON the porch.
There's Mis- Curry" the girl erie
seizlng her fathers arm and insitil