Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1927-04-14
CHAPTER XVII
The End of a Great Search

Lydia returned TO her cOllege WORK
the Monday after the Junior prom,
little thinner, and her color not quite
so bright as usual, but in most
cheerful frame of mind. She was feel
ing, somehow, a new sense of maturity
and contentment.
Kent was devoting a good deal OF
attention to Lydia but this did not
prevent his taking Margery about.
He was, he explained to Lydia, so
sorry for heri
"You don't have to explain to me"
protested Lydia. Il want you to go
with all the girls you like. l intend
to see all I want of as many men as
care to see me. I told you this was
my playtime."
Kent's reply to this was a non-com-
initial grunt
1t was late in May that he told
Lydia what John Levine had finally
accomplished, In his silent months of
work in Washington. The Indians on
the reservation were to be removed
bodily to a reservation in the South
west. The reservation was then to be
thrown open to white settlement.
"What will poor Charlie Jackson
say?" were Lydia's first words.
Kent shrugged his shoulders. Poor
old scout He'll have to make new
start in the West. But isn't 1t glo-
rious news, Lyd! The land reverts to
the government and the land office
opens it, just as in pioneer days
Everybody who's titles In question
now can re-enter under settlement
laws. Isn't Levine wizard Why
don't you say something, Lydia"
81 don't know what to say" said
Lydia. I'm sick at heart for the In
dams. But I'm glad that the awful
temptation of the pines is going to be
taken away from Lake City. Though
how good can come out of wrong
I'm not sure. When will Mr.. Levine
come homer
Next month"
On q Sunday afternoon, late in
June, John Levine turned In at the
gate as casually as though he had left
but the day before. Lydia was in
specting the garden with her father
when she heard Adam bark and whine
q welcome to some one.
"Oh, there he is, daddy!" she cried
and she dashed down the rows OF
young peas, her white skirts fluttering
both hands extended.
John seized her hands and for 9
moment the two stood smiling and
afh
.cept that he was grayer, Levine was
unchanged. He broke the silence tt
say, well! Well! young Lydia, yor
are grown up"
"Its my hair" said Lydia, "and
my skirts"
The two men clasped hands. well
Amos?'
"It's been a long time between
drinks, John"
81 know it, Amos, but my chores
done. Now, I'll stay home and enjoy
life. Lydia, is 1t too hot for waffies
and coffee, for SUPPER"
tits not too hot for anything on
earth you can ask for" returned Ly'
.dia. beginning to roll up her sleeves
"PIl go right In and start them now
1t was an extraordinarily pleasant
supper. After the dishes were washed
Levine asked Lydia to stroll up the
road with him while Amos did his
sevening chores. 1t was dusk when
they turned-out the gate TO the road
Lydia clinging to Johns arm
John put a long, hard hand over
the small thin one on his arm. "Haye
you missed me. young Lydia?" he
asked
"Yes." she answered, especially as
you never came near us after the
hearing.
"How could conner asked the
man. simply. "You had weighed me
and found me wanting. Have you for
given me, Lydiaf'
cit wasn't a matter between you
and me-" replied the girl, slowly. ''It
was between you and your conscience
and If your conscience approves,
what's the use of asking me to forgive
your
Because, can't stand not having
your approval" said Levine.
They strolled ON In silence. while