Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1926-08-19
CHAPTER XIV

Spool set his little table with linen
cloth and napkins and amazingly good
dishes. The meal was to consist Of
stewed rabbit, with potatoes and car
rots; bread and cheese and tea. Jean
sprang up to cut the bread and make
the tea.
1t was not until we had finished
lunch. and Spool had rolled me
cigarette, and the dishes were cleared
away and some sort Of tapestry cover
substituted on the table, that Jean
saw fit to refer to her behavior.
Il promised you that If you didn't
quizz I would tell you all about it.
Frank" she said suddenly. "You
have been good boy. and I will keep
my word"
"By jove, haven't fed the bullocks,"
Spool exclaimed. That's what comes
of having company. I really should
have man. If the governor saw me
leave my guests to feed a pair Of I'M
gracious bulls he would be permanent
ly Inundated. You won't mind, will
your
We wouldn't, and In a moment Spool
was blowing toward his stables.
"You think I'm wild woman, and
pretty much Of a fool" said Jean.
"Come, this bench is sad invention.
Let's sit on the floor"
She went back to her station in the
corner, and made me sit down beside
her. There, that's better" she said.
"You think Tn q wild woman, and
pretty much Of fool. Let's pass the
first count. On the second we agree
Now I'll give you the whole story with.
out frills.
"You know, of course, why ! can
celed our engagement. We've covered
that ground; no use blowing 1t again.
believed I loved Spool; hoped he
loved me. But since Jacks wedding
he had avoided us. After our talk
yesterday couldn't stand 1t any
longer.
1T woke up this morning. about FIVE
O'clock. thinking Of him, and as I
thought vague. wild plan which had
been haunting me took form. If Mo-
manned wouldn't come to the noun
tain, the mountain would go to Mo-
manned. You see, have reversed the
figure. as is right in this case. It was
q wild idea. but once I got 1t clearly
In my head there was nothing to do
but go through with 1t. knew
you and Jack and Marjorie would
think. even If you didn't say It. But
there comes time when none Of these
things matter-do you understand?
$50 dressed as quietly as could.
and slipped out. 1t wasn't showing
then; the stars were bright and num-
berless; got my bearings and struck
out. AS l passed your shanty ]
stopped at your window. All was dark
and still. Dear old boy I whispered
against your window pane. Il wish
things were different-but they're
not"
She had laced her fingers again
about ner knees, but now she dropped
the hand next to me. and II fell on
mine. There was nothing surrepti.
tious about 1t; it was deliberate. de-
signed, aggressive.
II had covered most Of the distance
before It began to snow. Then was
in danger for while. but | made it
all right. Unfortunately. Spool Is
not an early riser. He was surprised
to see me-"
She stopped, and for long while
gazed into space. as though studying
what she would say next.
"Well. proposed to him. He re-
fused me-" she said quietly.
Refused you? -. Do You mean
that's the whole story2"
That's the substance; told you
would leave out the frills. You can
decorate 1t to your liking. One Of the Sc
crets of art is to not to overstate your
self-leaving something to the imagi-
nation. The more intelligent the audi
ence, the more may be left to the i'm
agination You are an intelligent au-
dience, Frank"
Through my absurd concern. for.
hardly knew what. her adorable tan
talization seethed In me like an cleo
tric current And 50 selfish am r.