Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1928-12-13

to 60 up with her to General Roper's
room. The old man, weakened by
wounds and softened by years, broke
and asked his grandson to forgive
what had passed.
1t was one Of those moments for
banishing resentments and forgetting
the cruelties of pride and Obstinacy.
Christie wiped the tears from the old
mans eyes, and he repaid her by
throwing bomb into her unsuspect-
ing camp when he sincerely congrat-
ulated them both and named as the
only favor he would ask that the first
boy be named John Roper Selwood
and sent to West Point.
For a day or two, no trip and no
escape from work was possible for
Selwood. He was up to his neck in
work at the barns and the warehouse,
Strengthening out the tangle into
which the confagration and the riot
ing at Sleepy Cat had thrown the
stage and wagon schedules During
the day scattered lots of supplies
began to filter in from Medicine Bend,
and by nightfall the hotel cook was
able to promise Doctor Carpy a re-
spectacle wedding supper as his COM
pliment to the bride and groom, and
to a company from which no loyal
friend was excluded.
At nine o'clock in the evening be-
hind the closely curtained windows of
the dining-room, wedding guests made
merry. Christie, flushed with happi-
ness, had stolen from the table for
a moment to run up to the generals
room with a piece Of wedding cake,
when one of the two mattresses, COM
ing up behind Selwood's chair, whis-
pered in his ear.
The bridegroom's face clouded.
t "WhO is it?' he demanded In an i'm
patient undertone. "Is it one of my
menY
II don't know, Mr.. Selwood don't
think so. 1 never saw him before"
"Tell him." directed Selwood, vexed,
ito come around in the morning; I've
worked about fourteen hours today"
The waitress appeared perplexed.
II told him you wouldn't want to be
interrupted" she said in an earnest
whisper. "But it seemed like he was
in terrible trouble He told me to
ask you for Gods sake to come out
to see him for just minute"
Selwood muttered protest. "Where
is hep he asked in an aside.
cat the kitchen door"
The girl thought that Selwood's
keen eyes would have burned her up
during the instant before he spoke
again. "Tell him." he continued in
q low voice, Ito 60 around to the
front door and sit down On the porch
with his face to the street-under-
stand? To go around to the front
door and sit down on the porch with
his face to the street." he repeated,
"and his back to the door,"
The waitress passed out into the
kitchen. When she returned she whis-
pered again. "He's gone to the front
door, Mr.. Selwood."
The talk had all been going on
around the table, but Pardaloe's
snaky eyes had not lost sight Of the
low-spoken colloquy. whats a-mat-
ter, John?" he demanded suspiciously.
"Some stranger outside wants to
see me-" answered Selwood, rising.
"Ill be right back"
Pardaloe was on his feet before Sell
wood had taken a step from the table.
He put up his bear-paw Of a hand.
Hold on, John!' he said definitely,
pushing back his chair. "You don't go
out alone to see no stranger tonight,
specially not In your recent shape.
hold your horses"
The table rose as one man. There
was a momentary upset, and some
conflict of claims as to who should
accompany Selwood Without passing
on these in words, Selwood nodded
to Pardaloe, and the discussion
ceased. The mule boss followed him
In long strides toward the dining.
room door.