Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1927-08-18
CHAPTER VIII

IA
Mrs. Johnston was not only anxious,
but annoyed, and was prepared to
show her annoyance. Then she caught
sight of Mary's wet hair and strange
clothes. Instantly she eliminated
from her world everything but Mary,
until she had her in her arms and was
convinced that she was safe and
sound.
Then, and only then did she include
Ned in her gaze, and for moment
Ned wished he were invisible. The
mothers eyes were like those of a
tigress who has recovered her cub
and sights the hunter who tried to
take it away. They softened, almost
instantly, when Mary told her all she
owed to Mr.. Carter.
The tgress disappeared utterly as
Mrs. Johnston hurried Mary into the
house, with instructions as to hot
bath and bed. Then she turned to
Ned and ordered him home as fast as
he could 90. He might come tomor-
row.
She held out her hand and thanked
him gratefully and sincerely, and yet
dismissed him back into the shades of
the grocery shop from which he came.
Ned drove away with no thought of
bitterness in his heart. Mrs. John
ston was absolutely within her rights.
Mary was a precious possession. Be-
sides, though Ned did not consciously
formulate this thought to himself, it
made the game so much more exciting
to have opposition. An implacable
mother was almost as celebrating as
q rival.
This latter thought brought Ned up
with sudden start. 1t dawned upon
him that he was dreaming wildly,
with very little foundation for his
dream He knew absolutely nothing
about the girl. But when has that
fact discouraged lover?
Claude was at the entrance of the
store when Ned drove up. After the
first glance he hurried Ned within.
Ned noticed with amusement that
Claude pursued the same tactics as
Mrs Johnston, ordering Aunt Lyddy to
see that Ned had hot bath imme-
diately, and also mentioning bed. He
agreed to the first, but scorned the
latter. Later he told his story.
"Jiminy!" Claude exclaimed. Lucky
you were there, and Ina glad it wasn't
more serious. Did you see Mrs.
Johnston?"
"Mrs. Johnston? Oh, yes! You
couldn't help seeing Mrs. Johnston
If she was around. Awfully fond of
Mary. She isn't bit like Mary
er-Miss Johnston"
"No," said Claude, dryly, "appar-
emily not You didn't notice anything
else did you? Wasn't there single
little thing about this Mrs. Johnston
that marked her out from any other
pleasant-spoken, red-headed woman
you've SEEM"
"Her good looks" Ned admitted,
blowing a cloud of smoke to the cell
ing. 'They were extra"
"Oh my Cd! Ned, you are an ex-
asperating youngster."
Ned studied Claude's perturbed
countenance. Then it slowly dawned
upon him that there might be a rea-
son for this excess Of feeling. Not
not trying to check up your red-head-
ed Polly girl with her, are you?"
"And If I am" declared Claude,
shaken out Of his usual good-humored
acceptance Of things as they are, "a
lot of help I'm getting from you'll"
"What was your-Polly's nameY
Observation-Disclosures"
Ned whistled.
IF it was the daughter-this Mary
girl now, suppose could get details
and like as not she's twice as ordinary
as the mother"
Nonsense p Ned rose to the de-
tense Of his lady. 'Mary-Miss John
ston, I mean, has the most extraor-
binary blue eyes,"
Jimmy, Ned Have I got to hear
that again? I got blue eyes myself"
Ned looked at Claude and gasped.
He leaned toward him and said:
They're the same color as Miss John
ston's."
Claude Melnotte Dabbs rose, his
lips compressed. "Ned, you've had a
hard day and I've come darn near los
ing you, so nothing on earth will
make me pick fight now. But If you
want to do me the greatest favor
take q nap, and wake up able to say
one single sentence straight through
without dragging that girls eyes In"
He left the room abruptly. "All the
same" Ned told himself as he reached
for book, their eyes are very much
alike"
Mary Johnston slept the sleep Of