Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-01-10
Nice Girl
By WILLIAM DE Isle
g, Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service.

~ at ner Sullen-Iaceu SOU Us Tic iuiAs
awful meaning of what he had just
told her sank into her brain. Years
ago, before her late husband had made
q fortune in pickles and preserves. Mrs.
Brenzel would have accepted the pres
ent situation with some philosophical
statement like Boys will be boys"
But In her new and exalted sphere she
could only look upon it as the tragedy
Of tragedies.
"You say you asked this girl-this
Claire De Shong-to marry your" she
said.
Il did," Henry replied in q dull
tone.
my poor boy!" Mrs. Brenzel almost
wept the words. "YOu were trapped.
Those chorus girls are always schem-
ing to.
''She's a very nice girl. :" Henry
offered.
Don't talk nonsense!" his mother
snapped.
And you asked her in writing3" she
continued. "In writing!'
I'm afraid 1 did. mother"
ty-four he was what is generally known
as misfit.
Henry, you will leave this matter
to me" Mrs. Brenzel said at last.
Eyes, mother" Henry said dutifully.
"But she's really such nice girl -"
'Nice? Don't be a fool" Mrs. Bren-
Eel ordered
"ha& oft
the small apartment house where
Claire De Shong lived. The girl her
self answered the door.
Are you Miss De Shong?' Mrs.
Brenzel demanded.
81 am"
81 am Mrs. BrenZel."
"Henry's mother? How nice of you
to CALI"
81 have not called" Mrs. Brenzel
said firmly Not in that sense. l
wish to see you for moment"
Mrs. Brenzel followed the girl into
q dainty little sitting room, furnished
daringly in black and yellow. 1t was
just the sort of place Mrs. Brenzel had
expected to find.
81 understand" she began, that my
son Henry has been talked into pro-
posing marriage to you"
Talked into. did you say?" Claire
asked in puzzled tone.
Eyes. l believe in saying what !
have to say simply and without beat
ing about the bush in any way, Miss
De ShOng."
"Well, it's news to me!' said Claire.
She took a cigarette from a silver case
at her elbow and lit it.
do you mean that he has not pro-
pOsed?" Mrs. Brenzel demanded.
81 don't mean anything of the sort.
He certainly has proposed. have the
letter in my writing desk now"
That's what meant He has been
inveigled-"
Suddenly Claire broke into Mrs.
Brenzers sentence with laugh. Mrs.
Brenzel shifted intentionally In her
chair.
"What want you clearly to under
stand. Miss De Shong. is this: Henry
has no money of his own. Not a
penny. And if you insist on marry
never weaken" she added, "once I've
made up my mind"
Claire struggled for calm Henry
told me you were rather hard" she
observed. Its a pity he hasn't q
little even little, of your nerve, Mrs.
Brenzel."
81 must ask you not to be i'm
Claire flushed. II don't know about
that!' she cried "You come to my
apartment unlimited. You grossly in
suit me, and then tell me not to be
impertinent What do you expect me
to be? Grateful?"
"The poor boy now sees he has made
a mistake" Mrs. Brenzel continued,
He is as anxious to do the right thing
as I am. And it's quite obvious that
money is what you're after"
swell, Henry hasn't anything else,
has he?" Claire asked.
~ am willing to pay you a thou
sand dollars for that letter. / have
the money right here" She tapped
tne purse III neT zap. "A tuOuSdHU
dollars" she repeated.
Claire smiled. rs that what you
think Henry is worth?"
Mrs. Brenzel frowned. ITO you,
yes!" she said, thereby registering her
first score.
The younger woman smiled again.
Its bargain" she said. "I'll get the
letter"
IF you ask me-" was Mrs. Brenzers
parting shot. you've done very well
out of this affair"
Exceedingly we'll" Claire agreed
enthusiastically. Now John and can
be married"
"John?" Mrs. Brenzel came to full
stop at the door.
"My fance." Claire explained
"We've been sweethearts for years,
but couldn't afford TO get married. The
depression. you understand -
That's one reason l took that dane
ing job. l wanted to help. But now,
thanks to you Mrs. Brenzel. every
<hipy Is all ripht :"