Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1938-11-24
Griddle Cakes
Win
By a. w. PEACH
q Mcclure Newspaper Syndica ate.
WNU Service.

r OBJ looked at her with troubled
- eyes. "Well, it's come, Ellen. -
He twirled letter in his hand.
She smiled at his gloomy face.
''What has?"
He shook the letter. Remember,
told you-when you marry me,
you take Dad in the bargain; and
believe me, he is q fearful old
crab"
"Why, dear, what way to talk
Of your father!" she said a bit
shocked.
"But that's what he is! I love
him in spite of it, but I hate to tan
gle you up with him. He wants me
to bring you out to the house, prob
ably to decide whether you will
make fit wife for me or not. It's
none Of his business, but it's very
much his way. Now, will you go?"
"Why, Of course, I'll co." she said
laughing.
Ellen in the days following before
their departure had her moments of
serious doubt and worry. Suppose
Bob's father should take a dislike
to her? The real reason for Bob's
worry was his fear that the father
he really loved would not care for
the girl he loved.
well, there's nothing to do but
60 and be myself" Ellen advised
herself.
1t was a pleasant trip to the old
village where Mr.. Cakes had made
his home, and Ellen, in spite of a
bit of fear that broke through her
happiness, enjoyed the journey.
When, hours later and a little
weary, she came to the house set
back far from the village street,
it did look bit dark and forbidding.
Joyous place, isn't it? While
mother was alive she made him
have it painted, but now-nothing
doing!" Bob said.
When they reached the door, it
opened, and Ellen caught her
breath, for the gray-headed man
who appeared in it was bigger than
Bob, and she had often felt that Bob
was big enough.
''Well, here you are! Come in!"
Mr.. Cakes said shortly in a heavy
voice.
Bob introduced her, and she
looked far up into cold, command
ing eyes in which there was no
light of cordially. Ellen shivered
inside.
Then a quaint, kindly old lady
advanced, and Ellen met INA" Bur-
ton as Bob called her.
Then began series of discoveries
for Ellen. The house was in fear
full shape-dusty in every corner !;
and the supper that night was i'll
prepared.
"Well,. can you stand it?" Bob
asked her later, when he had lured
her out into the quiet village for a
stroll
81 am not afraid of your father,
but what looking housed"
He chuckled. Fright, but Ma
is easy-going. 1t didn't look that
way when mother was alive. He's
growing old, you know, and-well,
maybe something went out of him
when mother died"
Mrs. Burton told me while we
were gossiping that one of her sis
tiers was very ill. Can't you arrange
it so she can get away and give me
chance at that house?"
He drew long breath, his quick
mind sensing her plan. She'll 60
if have to abduct her!"
How Bob worked it Ellen did not
know, but the next day, not without
some misgivings, she took charge.
Bob enticed his father away to visit
some distant property belonging to
him, and Ellen "pitched in"
1t was dusk before Bob and his
father returned, but by that time
she had the principal rooms in
shape and supper prepared-with a
bountiful supply Of griddle-cakes
which INA" had said Mr.. Cakes
loved but which she did not have the
knack of making to suit him.
She heard them in the living room,
then some one went into the library,
then into the den on what was, she
imagined, tour of inspection.
pooh! Why be so nervous?" she
warned herself. "If it doesn't seem
like home to him, it does to me
and the old house needed it."
When she called them to supper,
Mr.. Cakes entered first, his strong
old face showing no emotion and
Bob, behind her, looked anxious
though he winked at her.
When the griddle-cakes appeared,
Mr.. Cakes eyed them sourly as if
with memories of griddle-cakes of
the past. He tried one doubtfully.
then another, and the scowl went
as did the cakes.
The climax came so quickly it
took Ellen's breath. Mr.. Cakes lift
ed his gray head, and he was smil-
ing. "Now, you young fellow, let's
talk things over. When are you
going to be married?"