Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1926-11-11

Shortly He Had a Bright Blaze at Her
Feet.
the knees. Then he eyed the heavy
circles around her eyes and the droop
to the mouth that was meant to be
merry.
Kent was only boy, but he was
mature in spite of his needless ways.
Staring at the tragedy in Lydia's raw
ished little face, sympathy for her
pain as real as 1t was unwonted swept
over him. Suddenly he dropped down
beside her on the log and threw his
boyish arms about her.
"rm so doggone sorry for you, Ly-
dial" he whispered.
Lydia lifted startled eyes to his.
Never before had Kent shown her the
slightest affection. When she saw the
sweetness and sympathy in his brown
gaze:
"'Oh, Kent" she whispered, why
did God let it happenl Why did He?"
and she buried her face on his shout
uCl anu UC6uA " SODs OOAIy a. LII Oh
then with racking agony Of tears.
Even a child is wise in the matter
of grief. Kent's lips trembled, but
he made no attempt to comfort Lydia.
He only held her tightly and watched
the fire with bright, unseeing eyes.
And after what seemed long, long
time, the sobs grew less. Finally, he
slipped a pocket handkerchief into
Lydia's hand. 1t was gray with use
but Of a comforting size.
wipe your eyes, old lady," he said
In a cheerful, matter of fact tone.
"Ive got to put the fire out, SOS we
can start home"
Lydia mopped her face and by the
time Kent had the fire smothered with
snow, she was standing, sad-eyed but
calm except for dry sobs. Kent picked
up one Of the sticks he had brought
for the fire.
Catch hold" he said, "I'll pull you
home"
Old Lizzie was watching for them
and when they came stamping into
the dining room, they found pitcher
Of steaming cocoa and plate of bread
and butter with hot gingerbread
awaiting them.
"See if you can get her to eat,
Kent" said Lizzie.
"Sure, she'll eat" Kent answered
her. "Gimme back my hanky, Lyd I"
Lizzie gave keen look at Lydia's
tear-stained face and turned abruptly
into the kitchen. She came back In
moment to find Lydia silently eating
what Kent had set before her.
Kent ate hugely and talked without
cessation. About what, Lydia did not
know, for the sleep that had been
denied her was claiming her. She did
not know that she almost buried her
head in her second cup of cocoa, nor
that Kent helped carry her to the
couch behind the living room base
burner.
'Is she sick? Shall get the doc
tor?' he whispered as old Lizzie
tucked shawl over her.
"Sick! No! No! She's just, dead
for sleep. She's neither cried nor eat
nor had a decent hour of sleep since
it happened. And now, thanks to you,
she's done all three. You are good
boy, Kent Moulton."
Kent looked suddenly foolish and
embarrassed. "Aw-that's nothing" he
muttered. where's my coat? Maybe
I'll come out again tomorrow, If amt
got anything better to do"
All the rest of the winter after
noon, Lydia slept. Amos came home
at seven and he and Lizzie ate supper
In silence except for the old lady's
story of Kent's visit
"Poor young one" muttered Amos,
looking slowly toward the quiet blond
head on the faded brown cushion.
"rm glad she's a child and IL forget
It soon."
Lizzie gave Amos curious glance.
"You don't know Lydia, Amos" she
said.
He did not seem to hear her. He
moved his chair toward the stove, put
his feet on the fender, lighted his pipe
and then sat without moving until
stamping Of feet and hearty rap on
the door reused him. Lizzie let john
Levine In.
where's Lydia?" was Levine's first
question.
Lizzie pointed to the couch, where,
undisturbed, Lydia slept on.
"Good!" said John. He drew his
chair up beside Amos, and the two fell
into low-voiced conversation.
It must have been nine o'clock when
Lydia opened her eyes to hear Amos
say fretfully:
81 tell you, went to him today as
I'll GO to no man again. begged him
to renew the note, but he insisted his
duty to the bank wouldn't let him. |