Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1934-08-02
Home to Stay
By IRENE GLENN
8. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.
WNU Service


train at the country station-the slim,
brown, graceful girl he had good rea-
son to remember-and with regret.
AS she came forward, she smiled
friendly greeting that betrayed dimple
In each rosy cheek. Hello, Mr.. Law
renee, I wonder if you will drive me
to the village? l have come on
happy errand, and l am in hurry to
get there" she said gaily.
He nodded. II member you, Miss
Olive, all right-dont often forget
folks who come this way. Yes. I'll
take you up or anywheres you want
to Co." he answered, suspicious i'm
mediately as to what her errand
might be.
Soon he had her baggage safely
stored In his old car, and they were
of up the long winding road.
He could see that she was bubbling
over with some inner happiness as
she chatted beside him. His thoughts
went back, however. to the preceding
year when she had come to visit the
young fellow, John Buford, whom he
and the whole valley loved, who had
returned from the World war battered
and broken, but with his old courage
and his old kindness and fineness Of
heart and mind unimpaired. This girl
beside him who had won his heart
and finally turned him down, and then
had left him to 60 on her years wan
dering in Europe. The whole valley
had known about the love affair, and
with its old-fashioned generosity had
taken her to its heart until-and
rumor had 1t that she had said she
couldn't settle down to farm life even
with John-she had gone, and the
truth came out.
"She ought to be punished, and she
will be-" the old man thought to him.
self. He turned to her: Jest where
do you want to 60. Miss Oliver"
"Where?" she asked, her brown eyes
flashing with happiness. "Why, to
Johns place, Of Counsel Can't you
guess why / have come back? I've
come back to tell him that I am going
to stay and never 60 again. It's go
ing to be surprise! really tried to
forget him-didn't write-but I couldn't
forget; SO am going to tell him."
I'll take you up thar" he said
briefly.
The rheumatic car ratified along over
the familiar road. through the long
forest aisles, along the brook, up over
the wooded ridge, and into the valley.
The girl was a little silent now as
II into her thoughts had come men,
cries not altogether pleasant or
thoughts Of unhappy things that might
have happened. The mood passed,
however, and she turned to him.
Il am sure he-he loves me enough
70 want me now" she said softly half
to herself. perhaps l wasn't kind
enough to him a year ago, but then
1t was different"
The old man nodded. Were a-git-
tin thar" he said shortly as he
whirled the car off the main road down
q long inviting side-road.
"Yes, l remember this road" the
girl said quietly.
They swung into the open through
the trees, and before them lay a wide,
rambling old house, hospitable still in
its air Of brooding homeyness, but the
weeds were high in the yard and the
grass had covered the paths; and on
the porch was a white sign with the
words-"for SALE"
She gave a little cry Of consterna-
ton and stared at the sign. Then she
whirled breathlessly upon him.
"What does this mean, Mr.. Law
rence7 What has happened? Why
did you bring me here? Is John-Oh,
1t can't be? 1t can't be-" She looked
at him with brown eyes full of ter.
rible fear.
He looked at her with cold eyes.
John was in bad shape from his war
wounds when you was here-an' then
to lose you. l didn't blame you so
much-yet did-you shouldn't hev
come an then left him in the lurch,"
he said bluntly. You gals with yer
playin' with q man-and John was a
man we all liked since he was q
kid"
'Was'-you say was !"-she cried,
and then with a shivering tremor she
crumpled against him. Hes dead
Oh, it can't bel"
He whirled the car again and at
rapid pace sent it rolling back. At
the main road, he turned to the right,
and, keeping the same rapid pace,
went on.
The girl at his shoulder was sobbing
quietly, and the iron in his heart be-
gan to soften. "Guess she really
means it," he told himself.
Under the tires woodland and
meadow passed and the road veering
sharply led along a winding drive and
into the front of a white painted
CHEEKY place that was an up-to-date
farmers home. He stopped the car.
He put his hand on her shoulder.
Little girl, kinda hated you for last
year, SO 1 thought I'd give you les
son. l feel mean about it now. cause
I kin see you really love the boy.
This is Johns new place and"
A tall, bronzed figure appeared near
the house, stared, and then with a
shout came running up. The girl
whirled with an inarticulate cry, and
IN tho naYt moment was swung from