Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1934-11-22

1T WAS cardinal article of faith up
= and down Duck river that things
would happen to q Warren as sure as
he was born. 1t had been so from the
beginning-witness the voyage of Gil.
lizard, the earliest conner across the
mountains from Carolina. He had
loaded flatbOat for New Orleans with
the yield of his own fat, fresh land,
sold out the second day after his jour-
ney ended for what seemed fab
ulous price. then, going from the mar
ket, had met and fallen deep In love
with CarOlotta WOOdruf-whom he
mari led three days later.
When Gilliard died fifteen years la
ter, leaving Carlotta five thousand rich
acres, six sons and ready money In
both pockets, she carried on just as
If he were still there to comfort and
counsel her.
To her grief she lived to see the
name passing out-Warren daughters
had far, far. outnumbered Warren
sons in the third generation. But she
died happy in the knowledge that the
fourth Gilliard was the very moral and
pattern of the first. His baby girl
rCarlotta received her last blessing.
Then one fine day in walked young
Herbert Townsend. to say to her ia
Their and mother that he had married
Carlotta at the county seat. His IA
Their, President Townsend Of the Y. &
G. railroad. had picked out girl Of
quite another sort-not specially unat-
tractive, but rich. and stupid beyond
expression. Anyway. he had known
the minute he met Carlotta that she
was the only wife for him. No! He
hadn't as yet a steady job. nor very
much MONOCHROME, in fact, If the gov
.ernor turned rusty. But Carlotta
shouldn't lack things so long as he
could lift his hands even with pick
and shovel in them.
So they went to live with Carlotta's
family. Herbert found himself dis
owned save on the impossible cOndi'
tons of forsaking his wife. Lacking
chance to use his mind, he did not
blench before using his trained muscles.
Going doggedly to work as common
miner. in a month he was promoted
to gang foreman and better pay.
When at last they laid son in
his arms, his first tears fell. CarlOtta.
watching him. understood. He was
vowing to make up to their son all
his willfulness had cost.
She paid for 1t in utter desOlation
q year later. when lightning fired the
house, killing her father instantly.
stunning her mother. but leaving un-
Scathed Carlotta, Herbert and their
child. They got out safely. but when
Herbert rushed back into the burning
flames to save her mother. CarlOtta
followed him, until the baby's cries re-
called her. severely burned. Herbert
was staggering toward her. scared and
blinded. but steadfast even to death.
He had her mother in his arms.
A month later Carlotta, deeply
ident Townsend. He said in a hard
voice, his eyes greedily upon her son.
"You stole my boy-nOw you will pay
for il with your own. Give him up
and he shall have all | meant for his
father. IOn have an invalid mother
to SUPPORTING strength to work, no
beauty left to ensnare another hus-
band, will give you competence for
life-and will give your son riches"
1t was a frozen woman who laid her
child in his arms, kissed it once, and
moved away.
Years later-ffteen, to be exact-the
Mountain house was interested and
mystified in July at the coming of
the Gray Lady. Mrs. Florence Gray"
her card read. She was neither young
hallmarked Enthusiastically as rich and
aristocratic.
People waited to see whether she
might be friend Of the Townsends.
But when they came, fortnight later,
they seemed as strange to her as ev-
erybody else.
But the TOwnsends were In trouble
Townsend Williams, nephew Of old Mr.
Townsend, and co-heir with his grand
sOn-seventeen-ye year Herbert, apple
of his grandsire's eyes-was bad egg.
He hated Herbert and was always
scheming to get him into scrapes. He
knew his uncle's pride in blood and
honor, and based his schemes upon it.
Using an Unborn knack with a pen,
plus opportunities due to relationship,
he had involved the family fortune so
deep there was no turning back. A
million dollars would he needed now
to clear the family name Of scandal.
Summoned imperatively to his
uncle's presence. when old Mr.. Town
send found out how things stood, the
nephew found there his uncle's lawyer
and the Gray Lady.
This scandal can be hushed-for
million dOllars-if you are willing to
beggar yourself" said the lawyer.
II cannot do it." said Mr.. Townsend.
"Think Of Herbert"
81 will give a million for him-twice
over" said the Gray Lady.
Mr. Townsend stared. The lawyer