Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1927-10-13
CHAPTER XIII

CHAPTER XIII
In the morning, having breakfasted
in their respective rooms, as was their
custom, Mary, dressed for the street,
came to her mothers door.
At the sight Of Mary's pale face,
Polly's heart misgave her. She knew
that her own face was pale, but she
was able to say, in the chilliest of
tones: "f you have made any plan
to meet your father this morning, I
will not interfere"
"No," Mary answered in tone
equally lifeless. I'VE do not meet
until three o'clock, at the Academia.
"In that case, suppose we 60 to the
church of San Zaccaria this morning.
I want to see the Gellini Madonna
there, and we can walk"
It had all the appearance of q pleas
antly idle morning. Though Polly held
her head high, she was suffering. The
Polly Johnston, who smiled family at
any remark and stared unflinchingly
into the fierce Italian sunlight, was i
woman fighting desperately against
terrified realization of what lonen-
ness might mean to middle-aged
woman who had not looked ahead or
contemplated it. A hundred times
that morning Polly was ready to cry
quarter; ready for any compromise
that would leave her her Mary.
Claude Dabbs might have guessed
Something of Polly's plight and been
sorry. He had fought his own fight,
and come through it whole, like the
sturdy soul he was. Had Polly but
known it, here, in, Venice, was
Claude who was actuated by no small,
revengeful feelings, but moved only
by a real and very friendly desire to
help, and also to share Mary. But
Polly, shuddering at the thought Of
lonely years without Mary's compan-
ionship, turned away with equal dis
taste from the thought Of sharing
Mary, and the grocery shop, with
Claude.
How could Mary conceive that her
mother, so long distrustful and scorn-
full of any emotion save the maternal,
could turn with relief to the thought
Of cold, circumspect Loren Rangeley.
as contrasted with the Claude she re-
membered. Claude represented to
Polly all the primitive emotions, with
the disagreeable background of shop.
Not having seen Claude for twenty
odd years, she created an image of
fat, middle-aged grocer with the I'M
controlled emotions Of young man.
Always there was that shop in the
background, and the image caused her
to shudder.
IF you wish to dine with your
father tonight, I shall not mind" she
said to Mary as they turned toward
the hotel and luncheon.
BE reasonable, Mother" Mary
pleaded. Don't make me feel I've
lost my mother because I've found
nay father"
Having made up her mind, Polly
was one to carry things through gaily.
"Tm afraid it will work out that way,
but, of course, Eve nothing to do
with It."
"You have everything!" protested
Mary vehemently. tits all In your
hands. Don't you see that Father
well, he just can't-unless you give
some sign"
Polly's laugh did not ring pleasantly
In her daughters ears. Claude
Dabbs has been stating his case rather
eleverly, see."'
Mary stood still on the bridge lead
Ing to their hotel, regardless Of the
crowd of chattering, staring Italians
who were passing by. "Oh Mother,
you don't get Father at all. He doesn't
think he has any case. He thinks he
must leave it to you. He feels he
can't bring himself to your attention
Mother, it's awfully-delicate Of him.
You must see that"
81 only see that he is taking you
from me, and l can see neither del
icacy, nor any other evidence Of good
feeling in the process. Since it has
to be endured, I'll endure, but I'm not
kissing the hand that deals the blow
You will please discontinue the dis
cussion, as long as you are in public.
unless you can control yourself"
For the hundredth time that day
poor Mary wondered why it was that
those who loved one most, could, and
did, so surely wound one. II wasn't
really going to cry, but If you will pre-
tend to look at the boats for a mo-
ment, Til pull myself together"