Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1926-06-10
SYNOPSIS

CHAPTER XL-Frank ana John,
r fsr 1ns i'na s sDaaf q fiS.
the facts, becomes so indignant that
Franks jealousy is fully aroused. The
back safely. jean sc coDf.s au toni to Frank
that she loves Spool, though he does
not know 1t, and breaks her engage
ment.
Marjorie kissed me on the lips. then
raised her face and dried her eyes
Suddenly she sprang to her feet, and
could not but admit how very good
she was to look upon. Her dark hair
hung loose about her shoulders; she
allowed herself no curl-paper non-
sense, and indeed no device could have
added to the beauty Of her waving
locks. She was still in her nightdress,
although she had drawn on something
warm about her feet, and, like the
good wife she was always to be, she
had started the fre-a duty which ]
admitted properly fell to the man Of
the house. Perhaps 1t is because
man should start the fire that he so
greatly enjoys having his wife do it.
I could hear the poplar sticks cracking
as lay watching her through moist
and dreamy eyes. She was good to
look upon; so different from Jean, but
still so goodl
Hustle up, Frank" she cried. with
a sudden return to her normal man
ner. 1--WE have lot to do today"
It was not until after our midday
meal that went over to Twenty-Five.
Jean was in her room, but mustered
the spirit to chaff Jack with such
mingling of good wishes and humorous
sallies as my brain could command,
and we finished the whole with an i'm
promptu sparring match in the middle
Of the kitchen floor.
swatch your beak I" l commanded,
cor I'll send you to the minister with
a busted mug" and I swung on him
with enthusiasm. But Jack was handy
with his fists, and something thumped
in my eye like piledriver.
"Ahap' said he. "The first Of the
wedding decorations. Let's make it
pair"
But at that moment Jean came out,
looking so radiantly sorrowful, If one
can look that way, that the glory OF
Marjorie seemed as the glory Of one
Of the lesser planets against the sun.
She came to me with an outstretched
hand.
Merry Christmas, Frank" she said,
looking me squarely in the face. "Why,
what has happened to your eyer"
81 was just practicing," said Jack,
"and / want to exhibit this specimen
of my handiwork to Marjorie before
we are married. 1t is as well that she
should understand"
But Jean was gone in quest Of but.
ter, with which she rubbed my swell
ing eye, and the caress of her fingers
was worth the punch 1t had cost
1t was now time to hitch the oxen
to the rough sleigh or jumper which
Jack and | had built. Into this the
four of us could with some difficulty
be packed, and as we reckOned 1t
would take at least an hour for Buck
and Bright to break trail to Spoof's.
we loaded up and started on our
journey at a little before two. Spool
had Insisted that the ceremony should
take place at his house, If for no other
reason that there might be a honey.
moon trip as far as from Two to Four
teen, and the minister was expected
at three.
AS the snow-clad prairie crept by
to the leisurely pledding Of Buck and
Bright the mound which marked
spoors house and stable gradually dc
fined itself against the bright gray
background of the December after
noon. Spool had been on the lookout
and while our oxen were still putting
and blowing at considerable distance
from the shack we saw him coming
over the drifts with his great, rapid
English stride. He was beside Us II
q few minutes, his wind-tanned face
wreathed In smiles, his white teetf
cleaning under short, sandy mus
tache to which Of late he had beer
giving some encouragement.
MERRY Christmas!" he cried. "Th'
merriest ever-everp He held on
both arms, and we all shook hands a
once, and I suspect that the bride
elect pressed chaste kiss upon hi
cheek. But Jack, as lawful owner
could afford to be generous Jeal
took no such liberty. That woul'
have been different
The inside Of Spoofs shack was al
ways an example of orderly over
crowding. 1t was full Of useless fur
niture, inappropriate clothing. fire
arms, saddles and brides, cartridg'
belts, smokers equipment. tobacc'
tins, photographs. magazines. and al
endless assortment Of miscellaneou
knicknacks, all carefully placed AM
tended. Even when Spool occupied
alone 1t was something Of myster.
where he found space for himself u
the midst Of his possessions. But nov
Jean and Marjorie and Jack and