Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1928-08-16

speak to you again. Honestly, Bill"
she asked in pleading tones, did you
ever black those boots?"
Pardaloe grinned; every time
Christie said 'Bill" he melted like
roll Of butter. Christie, when I was
in the army had t. black my boots
every day. I swore If ever got out
I'd never black pair Of boots again
In my life-'n', by cracky, r KEEP my
word, too"
"But, Bill, wouldn't you break your
word-just once-for me?"
Pardaloe looked at his dust-covered
footings, shifted his cud, and coun-
tered craftily. "What difference
would it make to your"
"Why"-Christie, nonplussed for an
instant, looked up innocently-"it
would cheer me up 50, Bill-rm
bluel" And Christie laughed.
"say, Christie" asked Pardaloe,
taking a piece of plug tobacco from
his pocket, whats a-matter tween
you and John Selwoodr"
The shock to Christie was perfectly
hidden In her establishment. She
opened her eyes as If inviting the
most rigorous inspection. "Why,
nothing! Why do you ask thatf At
least" she went on-and then a little
hateful telltale color rose, nothing
that know of-why, Bnlr
Pardaloe, having discharged his
fowling piece, chewed his fresh NOR
sci Of tobacco into place, looking no
longer at Christie but at the floor
somewhat to one side of her, his
mouth drawn down to a gloomy curve.
He don't come here no more" he OBJ
served at length.
Christie tossed her head. "Weu,
he's very busy man, and, Of course,
has lots Of friends besides us"
Pardaloe CROPPED steadily ahead.
"Are you his friend" he asked with
nasal skepticism.
She professed establishment. "Why,
yes, I hope so. Bill"-Christie raised
her voice-"what are you asking all
these questions forf Then a panic
seized her. "What do you mean, BiuS
L. Selwood hurtf"
woman's heart lay open before the
big fellow-her look Of sudden, deadly
fear. Bill had pretty good idea now.
he shook his head to her question.
mo, no. Nothing like that at all,
Christie. But what's wrong tween you
and Johnr'
Pardaloe was treading on thin ice
for mule boss; and among the dan
gers he had not counted on was the
reaction In a woman's feelings after
she has betrayed her secret.
With flush Of anger Christie sud-
denly chilled. I'm sure I've no idea
what you're talking about, Bill. And
it's very silly to keep on talking about
It" So saying, Christie became very
busy with her dry-goods and left Par
daloe looking after her retreating
heels and studying the floor with even
more than his habitual concentration.
But he was not easily discouraged.
Having thought seriously over the sit
uation and braced himself slightly for
q second attempt, Pardaloe returned
to the store an hour later to straight
en- "the girl's"-for 80 he called
Christie-troubles out.
Christie" he insisted gravely, ut
amt no use our beatin' around the
bush. There's trouble tween you and
John" She protested. denied, In
terrupted-it was all one. Pardaloe
probed until poor Christie took refuge
In a woman's last weapon-tears. This
argument threatened to reduce Par
dalos to the same state, but it cleared
the atmosphere, and Christie. touched
BY his honest interest, told him the
story Of the scene between Starbuck
and Selwood and herself that event
ful morning in the store. ut wouldn't
have been 20 bad" trembledl Christie,