Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-11-28
Early Evening
By PAUL M. VEST
@. Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service.


against the back of his chair and en-
deavOred to see the face of his friend,
Don Chapman, opposite him.
1t was early evening and the two
men sat before the great fireplace in
the spacious library Of their club. For
years Chapman had known Drake. Had
always considered him quiet, temper
ate fellow. 1t was something of
shock now to see the man almost COM
pletely in his cups; even more of
shock to hear him Boosting garrulously
of numerous affairs with women.
las was saying" Drake continued,
nothing should stand in the way OF
love; friendship, honor, every other
human relationship should be sacrificed
for the Grand Passion. What are these
stupid conventions that we must bow
TO them? So many old wives tales
not TO be considered by intelligent men.
Love is love- take it where you find it."
Chapman did not reply Immediately.
At last he said slowly: Frankly, you
rather amaze me, Drake. You see, I've
always believed you a one-woman man.
Oh, / know you ran around a bit be-
fore you married Helen, but for the
last twelve years l thought you had
woman"
''Oh, Helen's all right But Lord,
man, you can't expect fellow to be
tied down to one woman for twelve
years."
Many other women during those
twelve years, Bob?"
Many" Drake raised his eyebrows
quizzically. Honestly, Don, l don't re-
member just how many. And-here's
a greater shock for your Puritan NOR
-als-some of the affairs were with the
wives of my best friends, none of whom
ever suspected thing"
And no question of honor ever both
cred you, Bob?"
you would take that attitude, Don.
You're too much of a prude. I'll bet
you haven't had real affair with q
woman in the last ten years"
Chapman hesitated a moment, then
very quietly he said: Possibly l am
a prude, Bob, but you know it's
question of how one looks at things
To me love means just one woman.
Somehow l can't conceive of a lot of
Surreptitious, sneaking little affairs
having anything to do with sincere
emotion. | have loved only one woman
all my life"
Heaven help you! Loved only one
woman and here you are an old bache-
Tor. Tell me, Don Juan, were you ever
bold enough to kiss her?''
Chapman ignored the sarcasm. "She
is not free to marry, and I'm afraid
both she and l place honor before
love"
I'D expect you to be such q fool"
Drake sneered. Forty years old and
what have you got out of life! Honor
be hanged; take your pleasure where
you find it. You'll soon be an old man"
Chapman leaned forward in his
chair, the muscles of his face tense
But you do love Helen; she means
more to you than any other woman,
doesn't she?' he asked in strained
voice
''Oh Helen's all right. She makes
a good home for me. She looks well
presiding at dinner table :"
Chapman interrupted. "You mean
you could conceive of a life without
her; IL wouldn't break you up entirely
to lose her?"
Drake laughed easily You and your
old-fashioned ideas, Don, OF course IL
wouldn't. III admit 1t might be bit
announcement. but not for long; any
number of women would be only too
happy to take Helen's place She didn't
do so badly when she married me-"
Chapman stared at Drake in blank
amazement. Then abruptly, he got up
from his chair. Sorry, old man." he
said quietly. Think I'd better hurry
along. Going my way?"
Drake shook his head. Not just yet.
But for Lords sake take my advice and
stop being a ID fool. Get something
out of life. man, before you die"
perhaps | will. Bob-perhaps 1
will" When Chapman went out Of the
door his eyes were those of a very
eager young man In love and his chin
was resolutely set
Alone. Drake sank down in his chair.
His eyelids closed and he dozed off into
light sleep.
few hours later he Weakened and
looked dazedly about the room. II was
deserted except for a small Oriental
boy emptying ash trays He stared into
the glowing Goals and sighed heavily.
From his inside pocket he extracted a
letter which he YEARLY read:
Don Darling: Our love is utterly
hopeless Neither of us would hurt Bob
for anything In the world Please do
as I ask and go away somewhere II
only for while-we must forget-it
is the only way. But believe me. dear
est. love you and shall always love
you with all my heart Helen
AS he read il over and over again.
he swallowed hard and his eyes were
suddenly wet Then abruptly. he got
up and went TO a desk telephone In
a moment he had his butler is Mrs.
Drake in?" he asked.
NO sir" came back over the wire