Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1927-09-22
CHAPTER x

Having gone slowly and carefully
through the shopping lists to satisfy
herself that there remained only
toothpaste and lavender water for
their. travelling bags, Mary entered a
drug store. While she waited for
change she was suddenly conscious of
being closely scrutinized.
Mary did not turn her head, and
only when she went from the cashiers
desk did she try to locate her per-
sistent admirer.
When she did, she went first white,
then red There stood Claude Dabbs,
better dressed, or differently dressed,
than Mary had ever seen him.
Claude, who had seen her on the
avenue and followed her, now stood
looking at her earnestly as he waited
for her recognition. When 1t came
for not for ten thousand angry moth
ers would Mary ignore her own father
-he moved quietly to her side and
held out his hand for the packages.
If you're going back to your hotel
I'd like to walk with you"
Mary, her heart beating quickly,
put the little bundles in his hand.
"Yes, I've finished my shopping"
she said, simply.
'Wiu you walk, or rider"
ride, l think" replied Mary.
Claude Dabbs stopped a passing
taxi and helped his daughter in. She
gave the hotel and street address to
the driver, and as she did so, Claude
said: "Tm at the Langdon."
Mary had looked at him, a little
frightened, when he got into the cab.
What was he going to say to her first?
OF all the impossible situations in the
wide world, this was the most impos-
sible! If she asked him why he was
there, if she asked the simplest ques-
ton, think what she would precipi-
tate! She leaned back in the cab and
left 1t to Claude Dabbs.
Claude Dabbs looked at her, saw
that she was leaving it to him, and
though he had planned this meeting
a hundred times, did not know which
beginning to make. He could think of
nothing but how blind he had been.
Good God! Why didn't I see it the
first timer" he thought to himself.
She's so like my mother"
He, turned to the girl, and said
Mary, will your mother be in when
we get to your hotel"
II think So"
Then do you think you could come
to my hotel, and talk to me for few
minutes. I've got sitting room. We
could be quite private"
Now Mary knew she was in for it,
but she loved the nice, simple way he
was taking 1t. Absolutely direct.
What was Mother running away from?
"If I don't stay too long," she an
swered. Mother will be anxious, If
l am not back in half an hour"
Then Wen do it." He spoke to the
driver.
They said nothing more, except to
remark on the weather.
At the desk, when he received his
key, Mary noticed that, as she stood a
little apart, Dabbs was evidently tell
ing the clerk she was his daughter
She knew at once that this was his
careful thought for her, and did not
mind In the least the manner of his
doing it. Indeed, it was a good
manner.
As they went up in the elevator
Claude had sudden dread that Ned
might come back and find them, and
he did not want that. Plenty of time
for Ned, when he, Claude, found out
where they stood. He opened the door
Of the sitting room and ushered Mary
in. She had time to think, swiftly and
confusedly, that this was doing it
rather wen for country grocer. He
seemed unable to speak She felt a
like disability lie upon her own
tongue. She sat down and waited.
Claude crossed to the door and
closed 1t. Mary instinctively felt the
struggle and difficulty going on in his
mind. He did not yet know how much
she knew or did not know. She felt
sorry for him, and quite involuntarily
tried to help.
"Father-"
c. NJ. Dabbs shot out strong arm
Mary was lifted out Of the chair and
held ffmly. She heard voice above
her hat, imploring:
Say that again, my girl, and say
it slow"
"WhatT' asked the startled Mary,
rather family. There was not much
space to speak in.
"What you called me then. Oh, my
God. girl, do you know that it's true?"
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