Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1928-11-08

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with flashing eyes, at Barbanet-"and
another tried to drag me here, alone
Margaret wouldn't let them-they al
most tried to kill my father"
Selwood stood the sullen bartender
facing the wall with his hands up.
'Pll have job for you In a minute,
Barbanet," said Selwood in an under
tone. "You may want to save your
own skin with 1t. When these people
get out of here, you can take word In
to Starbuck he's cornered. Lefevers
men have surrounded this place, and
they're out to get him and his crew
for burning their clubhouse. Star
buck can either fight, or come out and
talk. If he fights, there won't be any
talk-not so far as I know. IF he
doesn't come out he'll be burnt out.
If he fights, he-and the rest of you
will get the rope"
He turned away without waiting for
an answer. Bull Page had unbarred
and knocked the rim lock off the
flimsy back door, and opened 1t. Par
daloe, waiting impatiently in the
dark, and itching to train the big
shotgun on somebody, doomed up In
the doorway.
They're here" he said to selwood
significantly. He looked enviously at
Selwood's victim, standing with his
face to the wall-he offered so tempt
ing q cushion for q handful of buck
shot-but was appeased when Sell
wood seriously put on him the respon-
sibility Of taking the three refugees
through the burnt district to the
barn.
Christie, listening eagerly to all the
words passed, edged up so she could
ask Selwood question apart. "You
are not comingT
He hesitated as she spoke, and
looked at her almost curiously. The
old fever in his blood rose at the
sight of her. But pride ruled his win
and Christie, looking questioningly up
at him as If he, too, longed to say
and to hear more, saw nothing Of
what was hidden behind the unbend-
ing expression. mot yet" was all he
said when he answered. But you
oughtn't to lose minute-foIlow
Pardaloe and keep close to him."
Pardaloe himself seemed in haste,
"Don't lose no time, Christie" he
urged; "come alongr
She could not be hurried. 'Then
surely" she faltered to Selwood, II
shall see you again tonight-to-to
say something-to thank you for"
Selwood held on to his words as II
they were diamonds. "Glad to do It."
he murmured, stubbornly laconic.
His gaze was so steady that her
eyes fell. However, she would not
give up-and when she looked at him
again her eyes were glistening lit
tie. II know I hurt you terribly"
she began. He offered nothing to help
her out. 81 did not wan. to-" she per
sisted, resolved to soften him. Cant
you-come with us now?"
It was his turn to squirm. He did
not risk his eyes directly on hers
only repeated, almost mechanically,
''Not yet"
"Are you going toto fghtf" She
could hardly breathe the hateful
word between her reluctant lips.
II may have to-" Without looking
at her, he raised his hand toward the
open door. Follow Pardaloe."
She made her last appeal-save,
perhaps, that deepest appeal that
until now had lain unspoken in her,
eyes. But Christie could say things,
too. AS she stepped toward the door
her eyes flashed back at him. IF I
didn't fear endangering your life
I'd stay anyway"
The suddenness, the surprise, the
Intimate defiance, brought the care
free old laugh for a moment to Sell
woods nps-the laugh Of the sum-
mer auction days, the laugh that