Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1927-08-25

know II.
This was 50 exactly Ned's state Of
mind that he found himself glaring
at G. NJ, as at a rival, and with diff
Guilty refrained from retorting, $50
do l." Fortunately his brain told
him that this was no time to tell
Mary's possible father, If indeed that
was Claude's proud position, his hon
orable intentions.
"Then you'd better come out into
the world-with me, and pursue Mrs.
Polly Johnston"
'Tm coming" Claude told him.
"You go to New York tomorrow, Ned.
and II we can't get the same steamer,
wen take the next. I'll fix things
here while you find out Polly's plans.
I'll join you In New York"
'T'll 60 tonight"
"All right, and TIL join you tomor-
row, and-and the best on the ship.
Ned. You're my guest"
81 have money"
"Yeh, but you're coming with me,
and we're going to need plenty, es-
pecially If you're" Claude stopped
abruptly and finished rather lamely.
travelling with me-"
Ned wondered what was on his
mind. He was amazed at this Claude
Dabbs.
Claude gave him a clue almost i'm
mediately. "Are you Garter or
Rangely' this tripr
Ned slid to his feet and faced him.
but Claude stopped him before he
could speak.
"Yoa see, Ned, Miss Selden tele-
phoned the station a day or so ago
and sent a telegram to your father
It said that his son was living here
under the name Of Carter Guess the
girl didn't realize she was on a party
wire and what that means in the
country"
Ned stopped him. you mean to
say you knewT
"Sure, I've known ever since you
met the girl. She volunteered the in
formation"
"And you never asked me a single
question"
"Why should II Amt we friends?
I knew you'd tell me when you were
good and ready"
Ned drew nearer and put out his
hand. Thanks. Do you want to
know why?"
Claude smiled and shook his head
as he took Ned's hand 81 guess not
You see, do know Loren Rangeley
and of all the old-well, never mind
and excuse me, Ned, for he's your
father, and of course that's one thing
to his credit. All I mean to say is
If there's two sides to any question
and Loren Rangeley's on one. let me
get on the other"
"You know my fatherl"
"Only just in q business way"
This helped Ned very little. What
could the great Loren Rangeley have
to do with country grocer? Sus-
picions began to cross his mind. Be-
fore he could stop himself, he said:
II say, Uncle Claude, what are you
holding out on meY
To his surprise, Claude Dabbs
looked positively confused. you're
dead right, Ned, haven't been entire
ly open with you either, but that can
wait. All you have to tell me Is
whether you'll be Garter or Range
ley on this trip"
Ned hesitatec I'D rather be Car
ter but we're apt to meet people who
know me as Rangeley, so Carriers
off,"
BEST both of us sail under our true
colors from now on and just be our
natural, brutal selves. Well, get un-
der way, Ned, and I'll start things
here. Jiminyl Polly won't leave me
gasping this time, though It never
would have occurred to me to follow
but for you"
Mary Johnston had departed from
Glover Hollow with the expectation
Of returning on the afternoon train.
or the next morning at the latest.
They went directly to the Plaza,
where her mother left Mary and took
her own way to the lawyers office.
At least that was the version Mary
was allowed to believe.
As matter of fact, Mrs. Johnston
went directly to Loren Rangeley's
bank, was ushered at once into the
presidents private Office and held a
long consultation. At the end she had
negotiated a loan on the land; so
that much of her version was true
She had also told Mr.. Rangeley that
she wished to get away on the first
steamer to Europe, where she could
live better and cheaper than she could
here. It would be better to stay there
until her financial position became Sc
cure, or at least improved, and 1t
would serve to take Mary away from
an undesirable sutton.
Loren Rangeley listened, gravely
sympathetic. His quick, cold eyes
noted that Mrs. Johnston had lost
none of her charm for him; that she
wore very well indeed. The loan he
was making was amply secured. In
deed, there was every chance Of the
land experiencing boom. He was