Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1934-11-29
Treasure
By MADELEINE DIAZ
g. Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
wNU Service


where Crandon Hawley and Helen
Gregory walked.
Crandon was conscious of Helen's
beauty.
But: STEADY thereI" he said to
himself. "Girls like that aren't for
little boys like you. Crandon. my man.
To the girl he was a charming,
light-hearted, not at all serious COM
panIon. Her pretty wiles seemed to
get her nowhere with him. For Helen
exerted herself as she had never be-
fore TO gain the real interest of this
strange man beside her.
They were-and had been for week
guests at the same house party.
Crandon. just through medical school,
was taking a months rest.
Helen was the daughter OF wealth.
Her clothes, her manner, everything
about her showed that she came from
q background If not higher intellec-
tually than Crandons. at least higher
from the point Of view of money.
II was obvious that Crandon must
not give in TO his love for Helen. II
that held him back. But TO him she
seemed about the most useless girl he
had ever seen.
"Was buried treasure really found
here?" she asked, as they rounded
point Of the tiny, uninhabited island.
That's the story. Might as well be-
Nevc it. Some OF Captain Kidd's. He
blew down this way and packed IL
here somewhere And there's sup
posed to be some Of IL still here"
Yes. Mrs. Ellis told me. man
and a girl will find it"
"Yeah-so she said Nice story for
a hostess to keep tucked away in her
box of tricks. Come on, race you TO
that next pine tree. Maybe it's there"
Better get away from anything SEN
timental, thought Crandon, as he
watched the fleet little green figure
skimming the sand at his side. Sud-
denly he was furious with her-furiouS
with her for being so lovely, so allur
ing. And so utterly useless. And
furious with himself and with that
year of hard work and little money
ahead of him. Furious. too. with him
self for turning away from love-run-
ming away from it. he thought bitterly,
just as he was running away from
Helen. Out of the corner of his eye
he could see her gradually lose dis
lance as he really tried TO outrun her.
He turned his head TO look back-and
didn't see a sand hummock in front
OF him. tripped over ii and crashed.
The next thing he knew he was ly-
ing in an uncomfortable tumble on the
sand and sharp pains in his ankle
told him that at least a bad sprain
would pay him for his carelessness.
In second Helen was at his side.
Are you all right?" she asked. as
he sat up dizzily.
Yes. Ny ankles bit done for,
though" he answered.
Helen looked at his drawn. paling
face, and then knelt down beside him,
putting her arm behind his shoulder
For moment Crandon let his head
sink against her soft, warm body
and for a moment he forgot the pain
in his ankle as we'll as his VOW that
he would leave Helen and the house
party without letting her know he
loved her
But she didn't hear his inarticulate
murmur OF endearment. All her at
tention was fixed on his ankle
1t needs bandaging, doesn't it? she
asked.
"Yes-but-"
''You think l can't help-can't do
anything useful, don't you?" Her tone
was a bit scornful. Wait and see"
She was gone like fash and in
few seconds came back with the lunch
basket. Crandon had been carrying on
his back. 1T spilled off. but it isn't
hurt" she said, rummaging in it.
Quickly, with the help Of a knife. she
tore two big damask napkins into
good bandage material and then. IN
der Crandon'S directions. bandaged
the swelling and very painful ankle.
Crandon. relieved by the taut bandage,
became less intense.
That's a darned good bandage.
Where did you learn how TO do it?'
Where did 1 learn how? Oh, first
aid classes at school," She flushed
with pleasure. Now you wait here
TIL l get help" She gave Crandon
drink of cold water from the thermos
bottle. scooped and piled up sand into
fairly comfortable rest for his back.
and told him she would go back to the
speed boat that had brought them to
the island-they had tied il in a little
cove half a mile up the beach-and
take il TO the maitland for help.
III be back soon." she said. smil-
Ing at him. And here's the thermos
OF coffee and the cold water. You lie
quietly and don't worry about me. I'll
manage the boat" He reached out a
troubled. apologize hand. but she was
out OF reach, speeding down the beach
without backward look.
Help came in an hour. His host the
chauffeur and a handy man with an
improvised stretcher. and Helen.
They got him on the boat without
much trouble. Helen sat beside him
on the trip home
Are you afraid TO be poor, Helen?"
he said softly, capturing a small. cool
hand. He had realized in that dream
ing, waiting hour, what her answer
would be.