Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-01-17
A Lady Short
Bv WILLIAM DE Isle
G. Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service.

the introduction was not that of two
strangers.
He wondered as he drank his soup
what could have brought her to this
house; what she could possibly have in
common with fat, vulgar Mrs. Bowman,
their hostess. He eyed her askance.
and thought Of the first time they had
been sent in to dinner together. fifteen
months before. Then she had been
friendly: now she scOrned him. Well,
he would scorn her too. He would
show her how little he cared.
Il heard someone say this morning
that you were engaged" he said. turn
ing to her. May congratulate yOu?"
She shot him hostile glance. III
is not true. Once is enough" She
broke off /; then continued frigidly. "My
fortunate escape from what would I'M
doubtedly have been an unhappy mar
rage naturally prejudices me against
matrimony."
There was silence. Finally he said
reproachfully: "You haven't asked
after Aunt Laura"
How Is Miss GlendOn"
"Very well, thank you. She's never
had another attack since that one.
Strange, isn't it? If she hadn't been
Ill we wouldn't have quarreled, and
we'd have been married by now. :"
Aunt Laura lived alone on her beau
tiful place In Maine in close prox-
unity to some splendid trout fishing
and a good golf course. When she
heard of the engagement she wrote
and asked them down for a visit. They
jumped at it. They meant to fish in
the morning, play golf in the afternoon,
and take long moonlight rides in the
evening. But nothing happened as
they had expected. 1t was raining
when they arrived, and Aunt Laura,
complaining of a chill, went to bed.
But the rain, the confinement, and
the prolonged tete-a-tete got on their
nerves. What led to the explosion
neither could say now, but the engage
ment terminated at precisely three
thirty. Shortly afterward he had been
sent abroad by his firm, had now just
returned, and had never seen nor
heard of her till Mrs. Bowman intro
| duced them before dinner.
Perhaps" she said presently, Il
| ought to congratulate you"
''It would be premature" he con-
fessed. Though 1 must admit an an
nOuncement is not far off,"
"How nicev'
The conversation lapsed again. He
studied her.
| Their eyes met. He said hastily.
"Have you dined here before?"
mo"
"How did Mrs. Bowman manage to
rope you in?"
A faint blush dyed her cheeks. IF
it comes to that, how did Mr. Bowman
rope you in?"
| Hes one Of our best clients. But
had no idea"-his voice dropped to a
whisper-"I would meet a gang like
this. l repeat-how did Mrs. Bowman
ever get you to conner
II happened to have no other en-
gagement."
well, of course, it's none of my
business. Let's change the subject.
How's your austere guardian. Mr.. Hop
kinS?'
She flushed "He is abroad" she
said turning slightly away from him.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Then,
do you know" he said suddenly.
that your Mr.. Hopkins had a lot to
do with our engagement going on the
rOcks?"
She was genuinely surprised. How
could he?"
You remember / saw him the day
before We went to Aunt Laura's? Well.
he implied that l was after your
money. That was really what started
it. l began the visit in bad tenn
But she had risen He watched her
going out with the other wOman-a
swan among brood of waddling geese.
And again he wondered what she could
be doing in that house. He moved
toward Mr.. Bowman.
"Mr. Bowman" he began, 1.-THE girl
took in-Miss Dodd-"
Say. I'm sorry about that" Mr..
Bowman interrupted. Its the wife's
fault. She got you mixed up with
Mr.. Goetz and gave him your lady,
Miss Miller. Then we were a lady
short. so she called in Miss Dodd. our
governess."
"Governess Miss Dodd? WHY |
used to know Miss Dodd very we'll. An
heiress-"
"Not any more. From what heard
her guardian gambled most Of her
money away. then skipped to Europe
Left her without a dime"
In the living room she was sitting
apart. He went straight up to her.
I've heard" he added Il mean
about Hopkins. Why didn't you tell
me?"
She looked up in surprise "You
didn't know. -? But | see now
you didn't" She stopped. her lips
Quivering. Gently. he led her out on
the terrace.
Don't pity me-" she cried suddenly
sharply. II don't want your pity.
wish I hadn't come out here. Why did
you bring me?"
Il wanted to apologize for my att