Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1928-02-02

Ing Marvin as she was working" St.
Croix (for other reasons than her
amusement). Marvin might not be
such easy game; they said he de.
spised girls
probably he's afraid of them! Or
he doesn't know any nice ones of the
NOble-Army-of- Martyrs style. Could
work the noble stunt, wonder?
Risky Might get my two roles mixed
up! Better keep off Marvin !"
1t was just as she came to this con.
clusion that suddenly. with jump
OF her heart, she saw him emerge
from lane on the road ahead of her
and, turning In her direction. come
straight toward her on the highway
In long swinging stride. She recog.
nized him by that Stride for she had
seen him that morning going across
the Schwenkton's orchard to Absa.
lom's cottage. That strong, free gait
of his would have arrested attention
anywhere. How different from St
Croix' dapple prancing.
Suddenly she realized that she
dared not let him recognize her in
this ridiculously festive frock she was
wearing, for as he was bound to meet
her soon In her school room dressed
In her own character, the contrast
would make him suspicious. But how
to elude him? The highway offered
no escape. She wore no hat that she
could pull down over her face. And
he was almost up with her!
In desperation. as they were about
to pass, she raised both her arms to
fuss at her hair and thus conceal her
face.
But through the crook Of her left
arm she saw that she might have
spared herself the trouble, for he
never so much as glanced at her; ap-
parently so engrossed in his own
thoughts that he remained quite un-
aware Of the passing of pretty girl
"Wellw she breathed in mingled
surprise and pique, for she was used
to young mems looking at her as they
passed. "Never batted an eyelash at
mel"
She had caught a glimpse of his
face and the rest Of her walk to the
hilltop seemed all too short for the
interesting reflections aroused there
by. For she had perceived the re-
markable fact that Marvin and st.
Croix Creighton looked extremely
alike, yet totally unlike; alike in
feature and coloring and unlike in
countenance. st. CrOix' smugness was
here replaced by a rather wistful mel
ancholy; St. Croix' cynicism by an ex-
preston of grave kindness; st.
Croix' sccrnful pride by a look of
genial humor; St. Croix' keenness by
a reflective, inquiring expression
touched by bewilderment. Of course,
all this was not revealed in a passing
glimpse. But q great deal of it un.
folded to her consciousness as. while
she walked. she continued to gaze on
the mental image she had caught, Of a
face so arresting as to make that of
his brother, whom she was going to
meet, seem by comparison insignifi-
cant.
So absorbed had she been, as she
loitered along. that she forgot all
about st. Croix' annoyance if he were
kept waiting for her. So that. when
turning curve in the path up the
hill, she suddenly saw him standing
there above her, looking coldly Of
Tended at her hardness. 1t brought
her up with sharp start. The ex-
preston of his face made her feel
more like turning tail and going back
than going on to the top.
"Just imagine" she thought as she
toiled up the rest Of the slope, being
married to such a disposition Ito q
man who'd take 1t out of you so when
ever things didn't suit him exactly !"
She smiled inwardly as she thought
that If she were girl whom he want
ed to marry, he would surely never so
reveal himself to her.
"He'd surely have the sense to hide,
not faunt, his selishness and ego
tism and show me a better side of
himself; for of course he must have
q better SIDE" Probably with his own
class Of people, his own family, he
was quite different; she had surmised
from things he had unconsciously be-
trayed that he adored his mother and
would die before he would hurt her ;
that he greatly honored his father
and that though he almost hated biz
elder brother, he respected him.
$50 you're actually here, are your
he ironically greeted her as she stood
before him. looking like Magdalene,
the Penitent.
"Oh, but. Mr.. Creighton" she plead.
ed. my stepmom's so bad. she can't
set and she can't layl This here
wasn't no gay-lOw day for ME, now
mind I'm tellin' you, with Susie so
poorly and ALL I near broke my neck
gettin' here!"
II suppose you mean gala day1
Dent, my child, use words you're not
sure Of Well" he added, grinning
appreciatively, "if Susie can't even
cackle, maybe she'll soon be croak-
Ing"
She did not laugh this time, but
gazed at him blankly. "And was up