Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1942-11-26
Trial by Error
eoe.
By LOIS FOSTER
Mcclure Syndicate-WNU Service.)
Mcclure Syndicate-WNU Service.)

along the GIFTS Dy the water. mat
pungent smell of sea and sage-he
was fairly drunk with it; and there
lay Myron, sound asleep on their
first night in California. Some guys
could sleep through anything. But
Myron was still pretty weak after
that last illness.
Ralph glanced at his watch Two
A. M; pretty late. "I'n creep in
quietly and not disturb him." he
thought. Second cabin from the
right; he could see it through the
trees, the door ajar.
Now he was at the door, pushing
it gently. Nary squeak. Good. He
removed his shoes and went in. My
ron was shapeless mound upon the
farther cot-breathing regularly. He
could just discern him by the light
that filtered in. Tiptoe around the
bags-what break that he'd re-
membered where they were. Pa
jamas? He paved around the foot Of
the bed-nothing doing-well i.
The bedside charlse far-so good.
He pulled off his clothes and slid
into the empty cot.
Dawn was breaking when he be-
came conscious of a weight against
his chest.
''Say-how many beds do you
need?" he growled, throwing off the
others outfiung arm. The next mo-
ment he drew back his hand as
though he'd burned it. Barely six
inches away, was the prettiest girl
he'd ever seen-and she was about
to scream! In flash he had her in
a grip of steel, one hand pressed
against her mouth. Helpless-she
glared at him.
Don't be frightened" he whis-
pered fercely. 81 thought was
getting into my own cabin, with my
brother. He's sick and I came in
quietly SOS not to wake him. II
you yell, we'll be thrown out to-
night; they won't wait for an expla-
nation. Try to understand. Now,
if you believe me and won't scream
mod your head twice" She did as
he asked, though her eyes were blue
daggers.
Then, abruptly, he released her
and ducked wildly beneath his COW
ers. eff you'll get into that closet"
he suggested family, 'I'll get out.
I couldn't find my pajamas last
night :"
Now the girl was sitting up, slip
ping on a kimona. She gave him
one whitening glance as she made
for the closet and he dressed to the
tune of her scornful laughter. Final
ly, stung by it: 'tI've been on my
knees to you, darn you; just the
same, your door was OPEN"
Once outside, he looked around.
There it was, three down. A natural
mistake. They all looked alike.
with luck I can still make it with
out waking Myron." But Myron was
very much awake, and in fine fettle.
Soft lights sweet music, and
Nancy in his arms. "Did you ever
see a dream walking?" She was a
dream, dancing. When she was with
someone else-he-stood by, content
to watch and wait. He couldn't bear
to break the spell. Lets take a
walk" he managed finally.
"You looked so funny when you
scrunched down under the covers"
she said. as though continuing an
unbroken conversation. "But that
was a dirty crack-about my door
being open"
81 thought it would stop your
laughing: otherwise you'd have
reused the whole camp" he ex-
planned.
"Right-but you might have been
f, gentler. I'm all bruised where you
grabbed me-"
"I'n remember that in future" he
grinned. "You bruise easily" Sud-
denly singing blow caught him on
the left cheek.
"See if you bruise easily" she
snapped, turning back. He stood
there, stunned with anger.
Before he could catch his breath,
| she was back. II shouldn't have
done that" she said, in a low,
shamed voice, "you were nice about
it all this morning when we were
introduced. No wise cracks; nc
Sinking. But l couldn't bear it il
you took what happened lightly. You
didn't really-did your"
"Say," he cried, chit me again!
Of all the unmitigated asses, I'm
the worlds champion. And l think
you're the most glorious girl in all
the world"
Suddenly she was in his arms.
| After a while, she pushed him away,
and looked at him, her large eyes
probing. eve haven't known one
another very long-have WEI"
"All our lives" he assured her
"Why, the minute laid eyes or
you l knew you were the one and
only :"
Liar" she laughed, "you were
| too frightened to even look at me. u