Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1927-11-10
THE STORY

his paid servant. Dabbs leaves the girl
with Ned while he goes to see Polly.
CHAPTER xIv-The meeting leaves
Polly with better understanding of
Dabbs with much Of his early love Owe
for his wife returned. He tells her of
Neds Identity and of his own wealth.
the money. She agrees, however ESQ to SS
with him to meet Rangeley and the
young people. Ned secures from Mary
practical promise to marry him.
makes the best of the situs ton and
leaves them. Polly and Dabbs arrive at
a partial understanding.
Continued from October 27th.)
The waiter had come and gone, and
still they were In that tiresome sit
ting room, which seemed to Mary to
have held them for ages.
II suppose we'd better stay here?"
she inquired lightly.
Much better" and Ned drew a
wicker chair to the balcony window
Tor her, and arranged himself on
cushion at her feet. Mary felt crate
ful. She did not have to meet his
eyes, In this position.
Sure as we stay out of this ROOM"
he told her, my father will turn up
and then Claude will accuse us Of de-
sorting our posts"
"Do you call my father 'Claude'?"
inquired Mary, for want of something
better to say.
I'll call him father gladly, as soon
as you give me the right" Ned re-
minded her, and turned to see how
she took 1t.
She did not take it well at all. She
leaned against the chair. her face hid
den in her hands.
MARY, take your hands away and
look at me. / never was more serious
in my life. If you'll listen to me,
you'll see how hard Pm trying to
keep you from spelling Claude's ro-
nance. But for you. your mother and
Claude might be happy"
Mary's hands came away from her
face now. "But for mel Why. I'm all
that holds them together"
$50 you think, but you're quite
wrong If you were safely removed
from their grasp, Polly would think
would think how sad it was for Polly.
Even at over forty, my dear, grown
ups can't make love before their chill
dren. But If you should engage your
self to nice, handy, lovable young
man, like myself, then that lets father
and mother off to attend to their own
affairs, while the responsibility for
making Mary happy falls on the young
mans shoulders. l know pair that
fairly ache for that responsibility"
He took step nearer-and the
waiter entered with the tea. BY the
time he had gone again, Polly and
Claude had entered.
Even as Mary few across the room
to kiss and cling to her mother, her
mind paid homage to her fathers
greatness. To bring Polly Johnston
. into this situation. with this prompt
ness, was marvellous In his daughters
eyes. She longed to have been pres
emit to see 1t accomplished. Mother,
Of all people, sitting calmly at Claude
Dabbs' tea table, drawing of her
gloves and making conversation with
Nedi
Claude came toward his daughter, a
humorous question In his eyes. But 1t
remained unspoken, for at that mo-
ment Loren Rangeley was announced
and entered.
Ned, standing beside Mrs. Johnston
Dabbs, was the first to meet his ia
Tiers eyes. Mary saw Loren stfffen,
and then come forward with an easy :
@Ah Ned, This Is an unexpected
pleasure"
"Quite," said Ned, without showing
that one of his pet theories had gone
all to smash. Far from Dabbs being
Loren's agent, 1t was Loren who bore
himself as though he was Claude's
agent. Ned meant to get it out Of
Claude before the evening was much
older. srm staying with Dabbs," he
volunteered. He did net want to let
his father down, either.
II didn't know" Loren was making
his way to Mrs. Polly with smile and
outstretched hand, but somehow or
other Claude was there before him.
think I'll have to introduce this
lady to you, Mr.. Rangeley." he an
nounced amiably. Mrs. Claude
Dabbs.n
Loren's face was q study In mixed
emotions, but Polly was calm and
smiling as she lifted her eyes to his.
Mrs. Dabbs has been separated
- n. 81
agreement she used her maiden name,
but we've never been divorced
Claude explained.
Loren's brows drew together. but be.