Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1927-01-13
THE STORY

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Charlie Jackson, tells Lydia Of numer<
GUS wrongs done his people, mainly by
Nsrshall and Levine. lydia defends
her friend vigorously. Meeting Levine
In Lydia's house. Charlie Jackson
threatens and endeavors to attack him.
CHAPTER vII.-Levine is shot by an
unseen assassin. Recuperating at the
Dudley cottage, he learns the real ex-
tent Of Lydia's loneliness and her sha-
Ken faith in God. The man and girl
enter into compact to start a Search
for God" together. Levine, recovered,
begins his campaign for congress.
Continued from last weekly
BY the middle Of January, Levine
was sufficiently recovered to leave.
The Saturday before he left occurred
another conversation between him and
Lydia that cemented still further the
quaint friendship Of the two.
Lizzie was taking long nap. The
dear old soul had been exhausted by
the nursing. Levine lay on the couch
and finally asked Lydia to read aloud
to him. She was deep in "The Old
Curiosity Shop" and was glad to
share it with her friend.
Suddenly Levine was astonished to
hear Lydia's voice tremble. She was
reading of little Nell's last sickness.
"She was dead. Dear, patient, noble
Nell was dead. No sleep so beautiful
and calm. She seemed q creature
fresh from the hand of God. Not one
who had lived and suffered DEATH"
Lydia suddenly broke of, bowed her
yellow head on the book and broke
into deep, long-drawn sobs that were
more like woman's than child's.
John rose as quickly as he could.
my dearest!" he exclaimed. whats
the matterY He pulled her from the
arm chair, seated himself, then drew
her to his knees.
81 can't bear it !" sobbed Lydia. II
can't. Seems sometimes If couldn't
have little Patience again I'd die
That's the way she looked In her coffin,
you remember? 'F-fresh from the
hand Of God-not one who h-had lived
and s-suffered DEATH o my little,
little sister -
John gathered Lydia in his arms
and hushed her against his heart.
Sweetheart! Sweetheart! Why, l
didn't realize you still felt sol Think
how happy Patience must be up there
with God and her motherl You
wouldn't wish her backl"
eff believed that could stand it
but there isn't any Godl"
Levine gasped. "Lydial Hush now
Stop crying and tell me about It."
His sallow face was set with pain.
Why, child, this isn't right. You're
too young for such thoughts Lydia,
do you read the BibleY
= She nodded. 1--WE tried that, too
but Jesus might have believed every
thing He said was true, yet there
mightn't have been word of truth
in 1t. Do you believe in Godr
Johns hold on the thin hands tight
ened. He stared long and thoughtfully
at the snowfiakes sitting endlessly past
the window.
Lydia" he said, at last, "I1l admit
that my faith in the hereafter and in
an All-seeing God has been consider
ably shaken as I've grown older. But
I'll admit, too, that I've refused to
give the matter much thought l tell
you what I'll do. Let's you and /
start on our first travel trip, right
now Let's start looking for God, to-
gether. He's there all right, my child.
But you and don't seem to be able
to use the ordinary paths to get to
Him. So we'll hack out our own trail,
Ell? And you'll tell me what your
progress is-and where you get lost
and I'll tell you. 1t may take us years.
but we'll get there, by Recki Eth.
young Lydia?"
Lydia looked into the deep black
eyes long and earnestly. And as she
looked there stole into her heart
sense of companionship, of protection,
Of complete understanding, that spread
like q warm glow over her tense
nerves. 1t was q sense that every
child should grow up with, yet that
Lydia had not known since her moth
er's death.
ooh" she cried. II feel happier al
ready. OF course wen find Him. I'll
begin my hunt tomorrow"
Amos was keenly interested In Le-
vines campaign. He took Lydia one
September evening just before school
opened to hear John make q speech In
the square. Lydia up to this time had
given little heed to the campaign, but
she was delighted with the unwonted
adventure of being away from home
In the evening.
On the wooden platform extended
from the granite steps of the capitol
a band dispensed dance music and pa
triotfc airs. breaking into "America"
as Levine made his way to the front
Of the platform.
Lydia stared up at him. She was
filled with pride at the thought OF how
close and dear he was to her. She
wished that the folk about her real
lied that she and her shabby father
were intimate with the hero OF the
evening.