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

"What on earthY asked Marvin,
their demeanor and conversation not
only not bearing our his supposition,
but suggesting a very different state
of things
Look at this!" his father ex-
claimed, thrusting the paper at him.
Read thatl And then decide wheth.
er you want to go off driving with that
grill"
Marvin, feeling dizzy, read the few
sentences on the paper signed amelia
SchwencktOn."
"But what, in Gods name. is 1t all
about? What sort of demands is she
swearing not to make on me" He
stopped short, staggering idea flash
ing upon him. "YOu must mean St
Croix!" He turned to the girl. "Does
this refer to st. CrOix?"
81 don't know!"
"You don't know" cried Mr.. Creigh.
ton. "Why." he exclaimed, "are you
both trying to saddle St CrOix with
thing he has nothing to do with?
AS if I'd ever have to buy off girl
from marrying him."
"Are you buying off Miss Schwenck.
ton from marrying me?" laughed Mar
vim, and as he spoke he tore the paper
into bits and scattered them on the
floor.
"What makes you think, Father,
that such desperate measures as this
are necessary for my protection
against even so dangerous person as
Miss Schwenckton?"
"And anyway" the girl spoke In,
I'm resigning. Please find teacher,
Mr.. Marvin, for my school, will your
for I'm leaving tonight"
"Father! Why on earth are you
driving her away? There's absolutely
nothing between us and"
Dangerous person is right, Mar
vim. and no exaggerationl have just
given that girl five thousand dollars
for the signed promise which you so
imprudently destroyed"
81 don't. believe It'll" cried Marvin
sharply.
Miss Schwenckton, will you show
him the roll Of bills I've just given
your
"He might tear them up as he did
your piece of paper!" she demurred.
showing no least embarrassment or
shame "It's not bribe, Mr. Marvin"
she explained. "it's a loan, which l
shall pay back as soon as I've earned
it at Hollywood. Your father seemed
so anxious to believe that was Turing
me off you that I hadn't the heart to
disappoint him; especially as I'm in
desperate need Of money. And 1t is
nice of your father to give the Ameri.
can screen a chance to be elevated!
So I'm off to Hollywood!" And be-
fore either Marvin or his father could
reply. she had seized her hat and fled
from the room.
Marvin made a dash to follow, but
his father terposed-slamming the
door and standing against it.
''Don't make a id fool of your
self Marvin! Running after a girl
who takes bribe!"
"No worse than your giving her a
bribei" Marvin painted
"You can thank me for saving you
from being taken in by an unprin.
cipled hussy!"
"Stop calling her names! You're
entirely wrong about her!"
"What would you call girl who
accepts five thousand dollars to drop
you cold?"
"You heard her say she was borrow.
ing it to go to Hollywood. She's per.
fectly right too She needs 1t and
you don't You've too much money and
she hasn't enough. You held it out to
her and she grabbed it. I don't blame
her! What started you on such wild
chase as this? What on earth put II
into your head that I was counting
her? Surely she didn't claim I was?'
"Her accepting the bribe was an
admission of it! If you'd marry girl
that would take bribe-"
"You thrust it on her-she needed
1t desperately"
"Do you deny being in love with
herr"
81 wasn't sure until just now! But
a girl with pluck enough to cheek you.
Father, and grab while the grabbing
was good-oh. WE'LL" Marvin drew
long breath and turned away. his face
suddenly gloomy and sullen. you
needn't worry! I wouldn't marry an
actress. they're too temporary: I'd
prefer a permanent arrangement in
marriage Let me out, please"
MARVIN His fathers tone was
suddenly gentle. "Give up this fool
job of yours and come home! Your
mother is unhappy having you away.
And-of course I want you back. too
Marvin hesitated. 81 can't turn
down this job until my term of office
is over. And If my living at home
means I've got to sell my manhood
to you, Father"
'Tll not interfere with you"
"Even If I decide to marry a county
teacher?"
"We can deal with that contingency
when it comes up"