Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1938-11-10
SHORT
SHORT
STORY

GhoaSh q SASN~ -
O"SN smoke.
-.>.- Harry and Ronny
SIOk0 had deserted the
ballroom of the Riv-
erview club for a quiet smoke in
the library Ensconced in the huge
chairs, they snapped comments on
the various guests at the party CIV
en- in Ronny's honor.
''Say, the old towns changed
some since I've been away. didn't
recognize half of the folks" Ronny
uttered these words with trace of
uncertainty in his voice; as If he
were trying to place something on
somebody and couldn't.
Harry laughed contentedly.
eyes, indeed; we're all getting
there. By the way, have you seen
Betty White YETI"
Ronny sat up and snapped his
fingers; he had placed the elusive
something.
"You mean Red Head?' Just the
one 1 want to see. Gee, of all the
homely, freckle-faced tomboys, she
was the worst. I'll bet she looks
just the same"
At Harry's sudden wink Ronny
stopped and, still laughing, glanced
carelessly over his shoulder.
Framed in the dark doorway was
the most alluring bit of feminine
loneliness he had ever seen; red
gold hair that caught each stray
bit of light and reflected it hun
dred times; brown eyes flecked with
topaz, and one of those forms that
one reads about but seldom sees.
Ronny eased himself to his feet;
his eyes remained glued to the pic
ture in the doorway. Suddenly she
moved. With a contemptuous toss
of her head she swung daintily on
one tiny heel and moved swiftly out
of sight.
"Whew" Ronny calculated nois-
lily. How was 1 to know Red
mean Betty-had grown up to be
so beautiful"
During the rest of his visit to his
old home town, Ronny met Betty
at every tea, party or ball that was
given, but she refused to recognize
him.
On the last day of his visit Ronny
walked slowly through the cool,
shadowy forest, living over in fancy
the pleasant happenings of other
days. Good-by for a long time
maybe forever-to the scenes of his
carefree days.
Suddenly there in front of him
was the secret passage that led to
the bandits" house. With whim-
steal smile at his childish curiosity,
he brushed aside the concealing
bushes and pressed his way toward
the little hollow There, seemingly
unchanged by time, stood the log
hut. Its one window peered blindly
with its empty eye at the intruder;
the door swung open and creaked
cheerfully. Ronny went in and
looked around; it was quite clean
and evidently had been recently oc-
cupied.
A voice broke the stillness-a
sweet, high voice singing quaint
little song. Instinctively Ronny
stepped into the bushes that
sheathed the road. Then down the
aisle between the trees came 1.-the
young figure-Betty.
Stray sunbeams nestled in her
wonderful hair; little breeze ca
ressed her smooth cheeks and
stirred the lace at her throat. Head
UP, eyes fixed on some distant point,
she passed Ronny's hiding place
and disappeared into the secret pas
sage.
Ronny gazed stupidity at the wav-
ing bushes that marked her prog
ress. Why, it was Betty who used
the hut-could it be for old times
sake? AS that thought occurred to
him, a strange thrill stirred his
pulses. With a stealthiness of move
ment worthy of footpad, he trod
again the little path. Slowly he
parted the bushes-one quick dash
and he was inside the cabin with
very much frightened young lady.
"Oh," gasped Betty, as she leaned
wide-eyed against the rough mantel.
"I-I'm sorry to have to brighten
you, but-but you must listen to
me-" Ronny became excited as he
saw the familiar stiffness creeping
into her bearing.
81 didn't mean that you were
homely now-I mean, I didn't mean
that you weren't homely. Oh, I
didn't mean anything, only that
love you'll
Betty turned slowly and lifted a
sweet face to him.
"Are you sure you want your old
Red Head'?" she asked shyly.
Ronny took her tenderly in his
arms and a rosy face hid itself in
his coat lapel.