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

4
sitting nearby. took his departure. Be
fore he left, Claude had told him that
Ned was to be his partner and per-
sonal representative, and Loren had
expressed the hope that Ned, who as
he said, chad fallen on his feet" would
appreciate his good luck. He was
content, he said, to leave the boy in
good hands.
When he had gone, Polly rose
Better wait for the children"
Claude suggested. why not dine
here, Polly? We could all have din
ner together quietly, and discuss
Mary's plans for the future, and make
our arrangements for her."
Polly stood irresolutely looking
down at the Grand canal, just as her
daughter had done that afternoon, OPP
pressed by the tumult of her thoughts.
II want you to know, Claude, that
| it wasn't the money-your money. 1t
was Mary alone that brought me here
today. You may not believe that, be.
it's true"
"Why, Jimmy, knew it, Polly. No
need for you to tell me that"
II can get along" she told him, ION
what I've left. especially If live over
here. Do what you like for Mary, but
| leave me out"
| "How can TT Claude asked. MARY
| will want you, and I'll want you to
stay with Mary, whatever her plans
are, until she marries Ned. I'll keep
| away as far as / can. You'll have to
let me play around with Mary little,
but l won't bother you. OF course,
you can and will live where you like.
But think Mary will want you near
her"
| Polly sank into the chair at the win
dow and played with her gloves.
| Mary" she murmured. whats my
life going to be like, without Mary
| Claude looked down at her plying
ly. swell, you're going to have her
] for a little while yet. Your case isn't
nearly as bad as mine, Polly. Mary
won't want me to help buy her trous-
seau, but she will want you" He
paused moment and said, efficiently,
you will help me out with that-and
some other things, won't you? You've
no idea, Polly, how I've been hoping
you'd take charge of the money and"
Spend it," Polly snapped.
| Claude nodded His face, turned
toward her in the faint twilight, looked
strangely pleased by Jimmy! 1t
would be great to see some of 1t go
for things women like"
Polly stared out over the water and
was silent for awhile.
| you're rather wonderful, Claude
Dabbs. don't know that quite take
1t In"
G. M. Dabbs moved uneasily. ooh,
I've just gone along" he told her,
doing what came uppermost. Its you
that are the wonder, Polly. Look
what you've made Of yourself-and
Mary. Though he sighed, 81 haven't
hardly forgiven you yet for keeping
Mary to yourself"
Polly rose. Don't, Claude, you can't
understand"
ing her. 1--we given lot of time to
thinking that out, and 1t came over me
with a flash, Polly, that in your place
/ would have done the same thing.
What did you know about me-"
| "Or you of me?'
WELL" said c. NJ, cit happened
that way, and we, acted each according
to our natures; but if 1 can make
Mary happy, and buy you both some
pretty things now, that's something"
Polly looked at him in slow amaze
ment. Before her his life seemed to
spread out. He had toiled and grown
rich, unspoiled. Claude was neither
meek nor humble. He was wholly
master Of himself. Even while she
determined never to ask the inevitable
question, she heard it coming from her
own lips.
| "In all these years, there must have
been some women"
"Yoa spoiled my taste for just wom-
en-" Claude answered, brusquely, land
I hadn't much time then, though
own missed 'em. / had a whole
lot to look after. Tell you about it.
some day, Polly, If you care to hear"
Polly nodded. She became aware
that Claude was regarding her humor-
ously.
You'll notice." he said, as she
looked up at him inquiringly, 81
haven't asked how many men?'
Polly laughed "They didn't count
had Mary"
| Claude laughed, too. ''Well, you
won't have her all to yourself Polly
now that Ned's come into the story
You'd better try to like him. He's a
nice boy, though his ways are sud
den."
Il don't like his sudden ways" com
planned Polly. "How dare he say he's
engaged to Maryi"
Claude's slow smile stopped her. 81
guess Mary knows
Polly looked at him, half angrily
Were you playing for this?"
"Oh, Jimmy, MOI" Claude gave a
quick look at her. 81 wanted the girl
to myself little while, but l know
| better than to interfere with vounp