Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1934-11-15
Broken
Engagements
By FRANCES SMITH
G. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service

WNU Service
CAMILLE came running into the
~ house where her fragile little aunt
sat alone in a sunny window. her fin
gers busy with some dainty needle
work. Agatha Andrews lifted her
quiet gray eyes and saw the dark
sparkling beauty of the girl. the rich
cOlOring Of youth and perfect health
and radiant joy.
"Auntie. I've had a darling time !"
cried Camilla breathlessly whirling
into chair. Guess who was there
and | met him !" she ended ecstatically.
Agatha Andrews turned her fair
face and looked out into the flower
garden which seemed to waver uncer
tainly before her hurt eyes; all the
blossom seemed to nod their heads and
say. 81 told you SOL told you So
some day.
"You are not listening" reproached
the girl, for this aunt was mother and
father to her and had been for many
years since a fatal accident had de-
prived the child of both parents. You
haven't heard world met Luch an
important person at the garden party
we made heaps of money for the
hOspital-and he looked and looked at
me until he seemed to realize that he
was being rude; then Andy introduced
him to me! Auntie, | have made a
real conquest"
Goose" smiled Agatha
Behold - the governors future
lady"
Camilla - Miss Andrews had risen
and was staring at her niece with
wide, startled eyes in her white face.
what do you meanT'
, Nothing but my foolishness, DEAR"
explained Camilla contritely. II real
ly did meet the governor himself and
he was charming to me. He is coming
to call tomorrow afternoon and we
must have tea in the garden"
"Of course" faltered Agatha.
HE asked after you. auntie, said he
knew you years ago, when you were
my age; he said there was a resem-
blance. Andy was frightfully jealous
of him. Isn't he distinguished looking,
and so calm and reserved with the
twinkly look in his blue eyes? | adore
himl" Camilla suddenly subsidized in
her changeabe way, and looked dream
lily into the gathering twilight.
you mustn't hurt Andy's feelings.
Camilla" advised Agatha in a troubled
voice; you know how devoted he is"
He seems so young and immature
beside Governor Frayne, | told him
So" she ended frankly.
'Told-Andy?"
YES" careleSsly ION the way home.
He was quite like bear about it-so
we are no longer engaged"
OH cried the older woman sharp
ly; then, as if collecting her scattered
forces. she added quietly. Il am sorry.
dear. Andy is young. but that is a
fault we all get over some day."
Camilla laughed and kissed her
warmly, but the slim finger where
Andy's diamond had proudly cleaned
was quite bare.
The next afternoon Camilla made
preparations for serving tea in the
rose-bowered veranda. Miss Andrews
had silently helped her. making loaf
of very special pound cake that her
mother used to bake. She gave the
girl carte blanche where the china
closet was concerned, and the cOnse-
Quence was that many bits Of old
hn linh frc
In many years. Agatha. dressed in a
soft gray silk. with her grazing hair
pinned in a knot at her neck, looked
like some pOmpadour figurine as she
wandered restlessly about the garden.
1t was not until she heard voices at
the house that she slowly went back to
face the past.
There was Andy Mcdonald, stub
bornly faithful in spite of his broken
engagement, playing with Camilla s
cat; and there was Camilla, radiating
glorious youth. her dark bobbed hair
blowing in the sweet evening breezes
her awed eyes lifted to Gilbert Frayne's
face.
Here she is at last! !" cried Camilla
and the governor whirled around to
stare for moment at the slim figure
coming slowly across the grass. The
tea kettle dubbed furiousy just then
and Andy and Camilla flew to subdue
it, the governor went to meet Agatha
his blue eyes keen like a boys.
Agatha" he said simply as he took
her hand In his, you told me once
upon a time to 60 away-you never
wanted to see me again"
YES" gasped Agatha family, hel
eyes seeking her refuge, the garden
But one says SO many foolish
things"
"Yes-and they hurt all through thu
years. What young fool was in thOs'
days not to come back to you"
.'Yes," agreed Agatha softly.
There is such a lot to explain
when | saw the child yesterday | wa
fascinated; told myself it was eithe
your daughter or a near relatives
-I-came."
Il am-glad-you have been so sue
cessful," said Agatha, regaining he
poise somewhat.
"Yes-in a measure" he said pa
tiently, "but l came to find out toda
whether | shall be the only bachelo
governor the state has ever know