Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1927-08-11

CHAPTER VI-Claude reveals to
Ned romance OF his early life. He
had married. while at college, and
wife left him the day after the cere-
xnony. He is convinced Mrs Johnston"
Is his wife. Polly" and naturally
wants to know, Who is Mary?
CONTINUED from last week.
The village saw Ned and Mary ride
by and snickered. "Dabbs' nevvy was
chasing round after a settlementer."
The smoker was meant to call atten-
ton to Ned's folly and presumption,
but IT was also jibe at Mary. "She
must be hard up for a man." was the
comment.
The pair under observation, en-
gagged In the most absorbing game In
the world, FASTENED toward Great
Cold spring, one Of the beauty spots
OF the countryside.
Although the road was as new to
Ned as to Mary, he discoursed learn
-edly on its history, its Indian name,
which he was compelled to admit he
had forgotten and couldn't pronounce
anyway. Mary listened, interested
and amused, especially as Ned in
formed her that he had just ''boned
up" on the subject this morning.
Uncle Claude supplied me with the
local color" he told her honestly. ut
isn't at all In my line. but ! thought
Mrs. Johnston might expect something
like II from her hired man."
Mr.. Carter" asked Mary suddenly,
"'was your mother Mr.. Dabbs' sis
ter?"
Ned started. "Oh ne, Claude Dabbs
is really no relation to me at all. I'm
fond of him. and / call him Uncle,
that's ALL
"Oh, / forgot you told me you were
adopted" and Mary lapsed again
into silence. She saw only one thing
very clearly. and that was Neds pro-
file. She liked it.
The Great Cold spring. Ned told
her, was just a quarter Of mile
away. AS he spoke they came In
sight of placid little lake, fed by the
spring.
Some distance up the road, beyond
the lake, was great old farmhouse,
which appeared deserted. AS they
neared the spring, Mary exclaimed
with pleasure. simultaneously the
rear tire blew out.
Ned's exclamation was not one Of
pleasure He stopped the machine at
the side of the road and made ready
with jack and wrench. Mary went to-
ward the spring. The pool was Deep
but did not look so.
Ned had the tire on in record time.
AS he stopped to gather up his TOOLS
Mary stepped of the planks to gather
some flowers at the edge OF the pool.
Ned thought he heard faint cry. It
was such a tiny, muff1ed sound that
he didn't think II important and would
have gone about his business had he
not seen that Mary was no longer
there! No longer anywhere in sight
He ran at tremendous rate Of
speed, such squirt as he had never
accomplished in all his university
days.
The pool was muddy and disturbed
He couldn't see Mary, but there was
a long streak in the muddy edge that
showed where her foot had slipped
His coat was off, and he was in
the pool Cropping, his hands came in
contact with her dress. He put forth
all his strength and rose to the sur
face, dragging Mary with him.
Now that he held the motionless
girl In his arms, he wondered If this
was the end. He knew, in the same
dim uncertainty, that If it was he
would go mourning all his days for
what had been denied him.
He put the girl down on the grass
and Still in daze of mingled effort
and dream, began to work to restore
her breathing. and as he raised and
lowered her arms kept repeating, ''Oh,
my dear, don't der
He must have said 1t aloud, for her
long lashes lifted, the blue eyes looked
straight at him, and Mary said. 81
won't. Do stop and-let me up.
please"
Ned helped her to her feet.
"Oh, I'm SO ashamed" breathed
Mary.
Ned, not vet able to speak, or look
at her for very long at a time, took
ner hand and tried to hurry her to
the farmhouse Though it looked de-
serted, Ned thought he could see
signs Of life. Mary was so hampered
by her wet garments, which were
plastered TO her with mud, that he
picked her up In his arms, refusing
to listen to her protest. After the
initial request to be put down, Mary
simply let her head rest on his Shout
der and shook with cold.
At least that was Ned's belief until
he looked down at her face. She was
Quivering with laughter.
II can't help it." she gasped- I'm
grateful for your saving my life. and
al that, but I can think Of nothing