Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1927-01-20
THE STORY

CHAPTER VI.-Levine is elected
SneriT. A sixteen-year-old Indian boy,
Charlie Jackson, tells Lydia of numer-
Marshall and Levine. Lydia defends
her friend vigorously. Meeting Levine
in Lydia's house, Charlie Jackson
CHAPTER VII-Levine is shot by an
unseen assassin. Recuperating at the
Dudley cottage, he learns the real eI-
tent Of Lydia's loneliness and her sha-
ken faith in God. The man and girl
enter INTO INT compact to start search
begins his campaign for congress.
Continued from last week.
Levine stole away from his various
councils and reached the cottage about
supper time.
eff / didn't get out here once In
WHILE" he said as he sat down to the
waff1es and coffee that made the Sun
day night treat Lydia had lately de-
veloped, "I'd get to believe everyone
was playing politics"
Amos suddenly burst forth, Lydia,
tell John about Dave Marshall"
Lydia, flushing uncomfortably, did
$50. Levine did not cease his onslaught
VII IllS Whites Jul tHC lCSiloi'
"Good news, eh, Amos?" he said.
"Getting anxious, isn't he" Then,
catching Lydia's look Of consterna-
ton, "Why, bless your soul, Lydia,
what are you upset about? Let him
call In the loan. I can pay it."
Amos nodded "Just what l said
I'll make my interest and payments
to you then. thank the Lordw
"Well make them on time just as
usual" remarked Lydia, in voice
that had both reproof and warning
I'm 1t.
$50 Marshall's worried" repeated
John. "Well, 1t behooves him to be.
Il don't know what he'll do when the
Indians are gone"
"Mr. Levine" asked Lydia, "wherell
the Indians go?"
John shrugged his shoulders. "Go
to the devil, most of them"
"Oh, but that seems terrible!" cried
Lydia.
"No more terrible than the way
they live and die on the reservation.
My dear child, don't develop any SEN
timent for the Indian. He's as
doomed as the buffalo. It's fate or
life or evolution working out-what-
ever your fancy names it. No sickly
gush will stop it. AS long as the In
dian has a pine or pelt, we'll exploit
him. When he has none, We'll kick
him out, like the dead dog he isl
Lydia, her eyes round, her lips part
ed, did not reply For a moment she
saw the Levine that the world saw,
cold, logical, merciless. John inter-
preted her expression instantly and
smiled. "Don't look at me so, young
Lydia. I'm just being honest. The
rest talk about freeing the Indian
I say d-n the Indian, enrich the
whites"
81 suppose you're right, but l can't
help feeling sorry for Charlie Jack
son and my old squaw."
Levine nodded Understandings and
turned to Amos. "What's the talk
I'm the factoryT' he asked.
During the half hour that followed
Lydia did not speak again nor did she
hear any of the conversation. When
Levine rose at nine to leave she fol-
lowed him to the door. "Adam and
I'll walk a way with you," she said
"while dad puts his chickens to bed
"Ffnel" exclaimed John.
Lydia trudged along for few mo.
ments In silence. Then Levine pulled
her hand through his arm.
"Out with 1t, young LYDIA" he
said
"Do you suppose" she asked, shat
God is something like ether-or like
electricity-in the air, everywhere.
something that sort Of holds us to-
gether, you known
SWELL" replied John, slowly, 81
wouldn't want to believe that. want
to find God we can know and un-
derstand-a God that's tender and
and human, by Jove."
Lydia looked up at him quickly In
the starlight "After what you said
about Indians tonight, you can't be-
lieve God could be tender and-and
let that happenr'
Levine returned her look and
smiled. "You score there, honey.
Lydia, you're growing up"
The young girl nodded carelessly.
''But I wanted to talk to you about
taking the reservation, not about me"
IT guess we'd better do that another
time don't want you to scold me"
"Scold your Lydia paused In her
establishment "Why, I love you as
much as l do anybody in the world.
How could I scold you?
Levine looked down into the
lshadowy, childish eyes. Couldn't
you? Well, you're dear, anyhow.
Now scoot and I'll watch till you reach
fthe gate"
;. Lydia hesitated. She felt change
in Johns manner and wondered If she
had hurt his feelings. kiss me good
night, them" she said. "You don't do
IT as regularly as you used to. II |
don't watch you, you'll be finding some
one else to travel with you"
Jnbn tnrned the little face up and