Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1928-03-22

49, SASiSoillou was ii"S>u ASSi'A-S 10
dazed as he looked-for hadn't st.
Croix told him that the girl was Hitter
ate, vulgar, talked the dialect of the
county ?-and here was girl who
looked not only like lady, but whose
sophisticated bearing and perfectly
good English so astOnished him that
for the moment he was disconnected;
a sensation to which he was, for the
most part, stranger. The bare idea
Of suggesting to her that he would buy
her off, pay her to go away. turned
him cold. He had no least difficulty in
understanding Marvin's failing for"
her.
"Pm not mistaken, am l, in taking
you for the teacher?" he asked.
"I'm the noble martyr" she adj
miteed. Don't look it?"
He checked the gallant retort which
rose involuntarily to his lips; he'd
spoil everything if he didn't watch
himself-the girl was fetching.
Their attention was caught at this
instant by the noise of another motor
stopping before the schoOlhouse.
Nicely thought with a thrill, "What u
situation if Marvin walks in here and
finds his father warning me off St.
Croix! Oh, cricky!"
She was puzzled by the accusing
look with which Mr.. Creighton was re-
garding her-did he think it was St.
Croix' car out there?-and she had
just denied that she ever had visitors
here at her school! No wonder he
looked at her accusingly!
And now, as at this instant they
heard the car start away again, the &C.
cusatiOn in her inquisitor's gaze deep
ened; for Mr.. Creighton was sure that
it was seeing his fathers car at the
door that had made Marvin drive on.
The girl was a liar and a schemer. In
the very act Of waiting here for his
son, she had denied that she ever
remained here for visitors If she had
not guilty conscience, if in her re-
lations with Marvin there were moth
ing to hide, she would not, of course,
find it necessary to lie. A dangerous
wench! Marvin could thank his father
for saving him from her. Mr.. Creigh-
ton felt ruthless.
With his usual directness he came
to his point. "You were expecting my
son? That was, of course, his car that
stopped here and then, at sight Of
mine, drove On-wasn't it,"
"Not being an adept at seeing
through brick wall, Mr.. Creighton, I
don't know"
Her evading direct answer to his
every question only confirmed him in
his darkest apprehensions.
Miss SchwencktOn," he said abrupt
ly, Il would make it worth your while
to resign from this school and go
away"
away from your son, Mr.. Creigh-
TONI" she inquired pleasantly.
EXACTLY
"But in these days of airships whith-
er can flee that he cannot follow? If
l take the wings of the morning and
dwell in the uttermost parts of the
sea, or ascend up into heaven, or make
my bed in hell"
"What is it worth to you to get
out of this neighbOrhood and stay
out?'
"Well, not being very experienced
in these Transactions"
"'NOt very experienced
"Not very" she imperturbably re-
peated, $50 I'll have to ask your adj
vice. What's the most ought to ask ?
I want to do as well as can for my
self, of course"
'Come, Miss Schwenckton, I'm seri-
ous-please don't try to play the fool
with me! You must know that could
get rid of you less extensively. A
few words from me to your trustees.
and you would lose your position. But
I've no desire to injure you. I prefer
to help you"
"Help me out Of the neighborhood?"
"Tll amply compensate you for the
loss Of your school and something sub
stantial over"
"You really and truly are offering
me money to give up this darned
school and go away?"
II am"
But" she exclaimed, glad sur
prise coming into her eyes, "this is
the first time in all my life that I've
had money thrust at me! Will you
give me any amount / ask?"
"Of course not-youll have to be
reasonable" he protested, feeling
shocked that a girl who looked like
this should after all be sordid and I'M
principled.
"Just what would you call reason
able, Mr.. Creighton?'
"Name what it's worth to you to
leave and then I'll answer you"
swell, then, let me see-well, I'll
take my railroad fare to Hollywood
and enough more to support me (and
my family for six months while I'm
convincing the picture makers at Hol-
lywood what gold mine I'd be for
them"
"Your family? You're not going to
tell me you have some children to sup
port?"
emo 7 u,on,< M Gu OpIx,