Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1939-02-16
SHORT
SHORT
STORY

all traces VI tAS
storm had disap-
peared, except the deep puddles
which still settled obstinately in the
ruts.
Judy felt Supremacy content with
the world and herself. Eighteen
is delightful age to possess, par
ticularly if that eighteen is adorned
by a mass of curly auburn hair and
a brand new tailored suit Also
further reason for contentment-
Judy was on her Easter vacation,
and home for the first time since
entering college the preceding fall.
Absorbed in her thoughts, the girl
failed to hear the rumble of an ap-
preaching automobile beyond bend
in the road AS the car rounded the
curve, it ploughed through the deep
ruts, sending up a shower of muddy
water which completely enveloped
Judy, new suit, dreams, and all.
For a moment she stood still in
wordless rage, helplessly watching
the car disappear from sight. Then
she sank weakly on stone by the
roadside
"Yes," she said aloud grimly, 81
don't doubt that they would like me
in this outfit Oh, if l only had him
here! I'd pluck him to pieces-Pd-
Oh, well, what's the use?" she fin
ished, as two big tears trickled
haltingly down her cheeks.
In spite of her unhappy accident
Judy could not resist going to
dance given in her honor that eve
ming. Her hostess, after taking
her wraps, whispered hurried words
in her ear: cousin Spud Davis
college out West-here on vaca-
tion-heard lots about you-dying to
meet you-let me introduce him."
Judy was soon dancing easily with
the young man. Good looking, but
very bashful for one who had been
dying" to meet her, was her
thought when she noticed how quiet
her partner became, after the first
words of greeting.
Spud looked down at her at the
end of the dance. "Tired?" he
asked
She nodded her head "a little
bit It's so warm in here"
Spud fell into the trap. perhaps
you would like to walk in the gar
den for little WHILE" he suggested.
''In get your wrap"
When Spud returned, she was so
busy devising plans that she did not
notice the determined look in his
eyes. A moment later they stepped
into the fragrant mildness of the
night.
Judy had expected that she would
need to prompt this shy young man,
but he surprised her. Not in vain
had he listened to lectures on the
power of the will, which, his psy-
chology professor had solemnly as
sured the class, if properly manipu-
lated, could be used to obtain the de-
sire of ones heart.
Spud prefaced his campaign by
remarking on the loneliness of her
hair in the pale moonlight. Before
she had recovered from this COM
ment, he secured permission to call
her by her first name; shortly after
that, he extracted a promise that
she would write to him; and finally,
he offered to take her home in his
car.
When they approached Spud's car,
however, she gave little exclama-
ton of surprise. "Spud, is that your
carr"
"Why, yes. Do you like it?"
Judy was staring alternately from
the car to its owner. Like it? Like
it? l wouldn't ride in it with you il
you were to ask me on your Bonded
kneesl" Without another word she
fed into the house.
Spud sat down on the running.
board of his scorned machine and
sighed deeply. II know I'll never
be the same again.
Judy sat on her suitcase, with q
set expression on her face. Moth
er, there's absolutely nothing the
matter. OF course we didn't have g
quarrel; and truly, had a wonder
full vacation"
AS the train came steaming dowr
the track, Judy turned around fol
a final glance at her town. Sudden
ly, her blue eyes grew big. She
grasped her mothers arm. Look,
She cried, IAN I seeing things, Of
are there two cars exactly alike
over there?"
eyes, one belongs to Mr.. Allen
and the other to Spud. Mr.. Allel
bought his since you've been away.
"And I've been thinking that Sput
was the reckless driver-what [
proud little idiot I've been. Tel
him" Then she saw Spud stand
ing before her, twisting his hat nerv
ouSly.
Judy" he began, "are we friend
again?"
"Oh, it was all my fault. In
sorry I was so mean and"
"All aboard" called the conduc
tor.
"And will you come to the Prom
next month";"
"You bet I will, Judy" He looke
at her earnestly.
Judy took his outstretched hand
gave it little squeeze, kissed he
a~I xryoc nann