Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1927-03-10

er had been called before senate
committee to answer questions re-
garding the relations of Lake City to
the reservation, while following close
on the heels Of this announcement
came word that congressional COM
mission Of three had been appointed
to sit at Lake City to investigate In
dian matters.
"Billy, how did you do It'll" asked
Lydia, in CONSERVATION. He had over
taken her one bitter cold January
afternoon, on her way home from col
lege.
81 didn't do much" said Billy. II
just got aff1davits, dozens Of them,
showing frauds, and gave them to
Senator Alvord. He has a lot Of In
huence among the senator's and is a
personal friend of the President"
Lydia's lips were set tightly as she
plodded along the snowy road.
"Billy," she said, finally, "are you
doing this to get even with Dave Mar
shall?"
"Tm doing 1t because I'm ashamed
of what New Englanders have done
with their heritage. And I'm doing
1t for you. To make name for you.
You are going to marry me, some day,
Lydia"
"I'm not" said Lydia fatty.
Billy laughed. "You can't help
yourself, honey. It's fate for both of
us. Come along homel You're shiv-
ering."
"When you talk that way, l hate
you'll" exclaimed Lydia, but Billy only
laughed again.
The commissioners sat for months
and in that time they exposed to the
burning sun of publicity the muck OF
thievery and dishonor on which Lake
City's placid beauty was built.
Marriage after marriage Of squaws
with Lake City citizens was unearthed,
most Of these same citizens also hay-
ing white family. Hundreds OF
tracts of lands that had been OBJ
tanned by stealing or by fraud from
full bloods were listed Bags OF
candy, bits of jewelry, bolts Of cotton
had been exchanged for pine worth
thousands of dollars.
1t was a nerve-racking period for
Lake City. Whether purposely or not,
the net did not begin to close round
John Levine till toward the end of
the hearing. Nor did Levine come
home until late in the summer, when
the commission had been sitting for
some months.
In spite of sense Of apprehension
that would not lift, the year was
happy one for Lydia. In the first
| place, she went to three college dane
ing parties during the year. In the
second place, Kent asked her to go
with him to the last party and, to
Lydia's mind, notable conversation
| took place at that time.
Thanks, Kent" said Lydia, care
Iessly, "but I'm going with Billy"
BILLY! Always Billy!" snorted
Kent. "Why, you and were friends
before we ever heard Of Billy!'
"Yes,' returned Lydia calmly.
| you've always liked me as have you.
| But you've always been ashamed OF
my clothes. l don't blame you bit,
but you can imagine how feel about
Billy, who's taken me, clothes or no
| clothes"
It was Kent's turn to flush.
Hang it, Lyd, I've been an Internal
cad, that's all"
"And," Lydia went on, mercilessly,
"Pve got nothing to wear now but the
| same old graduating dress. I suppose
you were hoping for better things?'
"Stop It'll" Kent shouted. Il de-
serve it, but I'm not going to take it.
I'm asking you for just one reason
and that is, I've walked up to the fact
that you're the finest girl In the world.
| No one can hold candle to you"
There was sudden lit In Lydia g
voice that did not escape Kent as she
answered laughingly, swell, If you
feel the same after seeing Margery