Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1934-12-06
Flowery Language
Bv MERLE SINCLAIR
G, Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service.
TIM BANNING ripped final copy for

~ the Morning Sentinel from his type
writer and looked YEARLY at the clock
Midnight.
Bill Kilwino, at the next desk, threw
down his eye-shade and addressed the
Office at large. what l need is some
night life of different variety. What
say?"
Jim paid no attention but listened
warily. What would his answer be
when the gang asked. as it had formed
a habit of doing lately, Coming, Jim?"
These midnight sallies into gay
places were causing trouble between
him and Nancy. She was jealous of
Vina Martineau, and had an idea
ridiculous little Puritan that a man
didn't love his wife If he went to a
few impromptu parties without her.
"Impromptu she had cried, blue
eyes wet with angry tears. when
you've done this a dozen times and
never once phoned me to come along
When we haven't been married yea"
Across the city room, Jim watched
tawny-haired Vina put away her lip
stick.
"Of course Jim's coming. Aren't
you, Jim?"
Yes, he was coming. Just to teach
Nancy the lesson she had to learn,
though his head did ache and bed Of
fered greater invitation.
Most Of the staff were working
through until two o'clock So 1t was
just the Kilwines-Bill's wife was So
ciety editor-and Jim and Vina who
went. Somehow, lately, 1t was just
the four of them a good deal Of the
time.
He didn't care anything about Vina-
But she intrigued him.
The Ace Of Clubs was damned, and
almost Opaque with smoke. An unc-
tuous master of ceremonies announced
novelty numbers-'in honor, la-dees
and gentlemen, Of the first anniversary
of the states most famous night club.
To show its appreciation of your splen-
did patronage, the management pre-
SCulS
Across the room Jim's eye caught
sight of Sport Conley, coarse-mouthed
gentleman Of chance who was always
Fostering the sports department. With
him was q bleached and lacQuered
blond. drinking too rapidly from
small amber glass. Jim looked away
in revulsiOn.
Mad at me?" Vina whispered.
He turned from her, looked across
at Sport Conley, who gave him slow,
leering wink. Jim rose to his feet.
Half an hour later he tiptoed into
the kitchen Of his apartment. He
shortened the stem Of huge, creamy
rose, found an olive bottle for a vase
He hadn't brought Nancy flowers for
she'd be pleased. He placed it on her
side of the breakfast table.
He clicked off the light and felt his
way into the bedroom. Rays from a
street lamp family Illuminated it, fall
ing across the four-poster bed with its
neat spread of candlewick. Across a
bed that was smooth and unoccupied !!
My God! Jim prayed unintelligibly
as he felt for the electric button.
Prayed harder as he yanked open the
closet door, But every dress, every
small, dainty shoe was gone.
He was still telling himself the next
afternoon that she would be back, that
she was just trying to brighten him.
When his telephone rang, he an
swered gruffly.
"Jim!" The voice was throaty,
trembling.
A flood Of warmth spread through
his whole being Misunderstanding
I've been crazy
Then you did care-enough to
worry?"
Care! You dear little nut-where
are you"
Pm home-now, sweetheart. You
see, called the office last night-when
you didn't come. You'd left at twelve
and couldn't bear it. I mean your
wanting some one else"
Nobody else, dear. I've just been
stubborn"
81 stayed at the Y. w. had to
think And l meant to take the after
noon train home-to mother and dad.
But I'd forgotten my watch, so waited
until you went to work this after
noon"
"Yes?'
But couldn't go-when I saw the
rose"
"Saw what"
1.-THE rose! 1t looked so dear and
pathetic. dropping from that old bottle.
Men fix flowers so funny"
listen, hon, throw out that Scotch
bouquet All right for an emergency
message, but you're getting fat love
letter from the nearest florist-special
delivery! -. I'll be home early =
Jim laughed until half the staff
turned to look Laughed triumphantly,
derisively, in the direction Of Vina
I" to show it's appreciation
the management presents each
of you ladies with one Of these mag
nificent roses. And to you, gentle
Vina had laughed at her memento
Just as she laughed at everything
Then she had placed It in Jim'S lapel