Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1927-10-27

II have no desire to be one Of u.s."
She rose as though the interview
was at an end. Claude rose, too, but
stood so that he blocked her way.
"Sit down, Polly" he said, land
hear why it might be better to change
your mind"
Polly hesftated. Unless she desired
scene, there was no getting past that
solid figure. She had to look at him
now. The look relieved her. The man
before her had changed with the
years, but he was neither boor nor
clown. She had not been so fatally
wrong about Claude, years ago. There
was "a something about Claude
Dabbs.
Polly sat down.
Make it brief as you cam" she
asked, again looking past him. "This
sort Of thing is-tiring."
II didn't choose it," Claude told her.
1T was forced upon me, and under
stand just how you feel. I'm here
solely on Mary's account
'Maryw breathed Polly. Leave
Mary out of it, as much as you cam"
Polly saw Claude's face change and
realized that before her was a man
who was keeping a tight rein on his
emotions and speech, for her sake.
Not thus would he choose to speak TO
her of Mary.
MARY told me that you had sent for
Loren" he began, and he saw Polly
finch. "You might have known she
would. You might have known how
she'd feel about it."
81 did know"
swell, then, you can understand
when told Mary that Loren was COM
ing to see me, and that his coming to
Paris had nothing to do with his
wanting to see you but was purely a
matter Of business that Mary wanted
you to know at once. Mary thought
she ought to rush to you right away
and warn you of the true state of af-
fairs"
"And for reasons of your own, you
prevented her. Well, I'm waiting to
know the true state of affairs"
Claude drew a long breath and
looked at the craven image beside him.
1t did not really seem worth while,
but he had promised Mary. "That
Loren would never have said-what-
ever he has said to you-if he'd known
you were Mrs. Dabbs. I'm worth a
great many thousands year to Loren
'SCOUREEN' the Dirt Destroyer If
you haven't seen the signs on the bill
boards"
II have seen them. Deplorably
ugly" But Polly was looking at him
now.
"Well, ugly or not, you know it
spells money. There's plenty for you
and Mary"
For Mary-yes."
You're legally entitled to your
share, without having to take me with
It." Claude Informed her coolly. ut
will be much pleasanter than taking
Loren's money, can tell you that"
tits all very interesting" Polly in
formed him, and now she was looking
at the floor, "but still I fail to see
why I should come-this afternoon
"For Mary" Claude told her short
ly. "Ned Rangeley's in love with
her."
Polly started. "And of course,
| pleased?"
"Only if Mary wants him. I'd like
to keep her to myself, just as much as
you would, but we can't"
He gave her long look.
"You might think of her, Polly. Why
should our id blunder cloud this bit
of her life? You've made a good job
of Mary, so far, Polly. have to hand
you that"
'Well?" Polly flung at him.
"Well," Claude returned with final
ity, finish your job"
Polly looked at him now, saw what
he meant and went white for mo-
ment Claude waited, never taking his
eyes from her. 1t was long minute.
iii come. Wait till I change my
| gown"
mo time" Claude told her. "You
look fine as you are"
"And the red-haired devil knows it, -
he added to himself as he marshaled
her through the lobby to the gondola
steps.
Polly studied the man who sat be-
side her as the gondola carried them
along the canal. 1t was even family
amusing that after all these years
they should be sitting side by side in
| a gondola In Venice. Her mind flew
back to the time she had so resolutely
put behind her.
1t began to GAVIN on the Polly
Johnston of today that the Polly
Johnston Of yesterday had underesti-
mated her man. She went back, though
it was a disturbing thing to do, with
the man himself silent beside her, to
the morning she had made up her
mind to leave. She did herself justice.
It was not the money, entirely, that
| had made her decide. She remem-
| bered doubling Claude's powers of
| ima pipatfon of canability for life in a