Free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1888-1908, 1901-05-25

so solemn ab0ut2 1ifGS no such de-
sirable pleasure that no one need
mind its coming 20 an end, especially
Il the main thing don't go right. If I
go nome and get well shall do all
three"
Graves jumped up and went out OF
the room. For the life of him he
could not have spoken atthatmoment.
He went on to the veranda and Winked
the scalding tears back from his eyes
and sWore a little under his breath,
and then he took a resolve. 1t was
that he would write again toLady Kid.
dersieigh. And so that same evening
he did, laying bare his whole idea to
her and begging her to use her best
efforts to persuade her son to 60
home.
Il am breaking a sacred confidence"
he wrote in conclusion, t'but am sure
NJ rs the only thing to do, the only
way in which I can serve him. Dear
Lady Kiddersleigh, the bottom of It
all rs some girl don't know her
name, but he told me she was in lore
with another man, and he came out
here to be out of the way. He never
told me her name, but fast night when
he was thoroughly off his head-which
he is most nights-he kept calling out
for NTita-Tita.' From what he told
me she must be married by this time,
but [ think of you were to send out
the papers with the account of it, he
would feel that it was all really over,
and resign himself to the inevitable
1t Was exactly three weeks after
Graves had penned his second epistle
TO Lady Kiddersleigh that he received
telegram from home. Coming ou5
at once, Julia KiddersIeigh,' lit said,
and Graves showed at into his pocket
with long breath of intense relief,
knowing that, whether his friend lived
or died, he had done the right thing,
and could never be reproached with
having unduly kept his people in the
dark.
He calculated that Lady Ki}dders-
uelgh would just catch the P. and o.
boat at Afarseilles, and that she would
arrive at Bombay about the 18th of
the month. He made every arrange
ment for some one to receive her there
with proper attention and start her
off ON her journey up country. And
sure enough ON the evening of the 18th
he received "a Telegram announcing her
arrival, and adding that she was con-
tinuing her journey without delay.
AT last he went to meet the train
which would bring her, and stood
there scanning the different carriages
with eager eyes. Yes, there she was,
"a tall slight woman, nay, very young
looking to be the mother of Il big fell
low like Kidderleigh, and with her
was very smart-lool1ing maid and
courier.
Graves went forward. Lady Kid
dersleigh knew him by instinct and
forward SSVnJI Mr
Graves?" she said. 81 can never,
never thank you enough. How is hep"
Very i'll, but not worse than the
last few days." he replied. 81 am so
glad you've come, Lady Kiddersleigh.
You'll do him more good anyone"
Lady Kiddersleigh smiled. 81 don't
know about THAT" she said. 81 fancy
my niece here will do more than any
of us. Mr.. Graves, this is the Tita
about whom you wrote to me, other
wise Miss ValLence''
Miss Vallence bIushed fine scarlet
color as she returned Graves bow.
"You have come none too soon," he
said graWely. "Shau I take you to
the carriage now, Lady Kidders-
leigh?'
She put her hand upon his arm in
stantly. "T've had journey and a
half, Mr.. Graves" she whispered rapid
ly. There's been mo mistake-she
'adores Kiddersleigh, always has done.
She has almost broken her heart, and
-. Oh, yes, with a quick change Of
tone, sit willbe nice 10 be settled down
for a few days. Its hOrrid Journey"
They only uttered commonpLaces as
they drove towardsthe bungalow which
Kiddersleigh and Graves shared
He found Kiddersleigh lying in his
long chair, staring bIankly at the cell
ing. He was not smoking, for he was
too I'LL to care for his pipe any longer.
Graves heart smote him as he noticed
the sharp outlines of temple and wrist.
"Old chap" he said in "a voice that,
try as he would, he could not make an
ordinary one don't be startled. Your
mothers come to see you
my motheri Did you send for her?
Am T.
'Old chap" said Graves, Il didn't
want you to croak without making an
effort to straighten things out "a bit.
She's come, too. There's been a big
| mistake somewhere"
But the girl Tita waited no longer;
| there was a rush of light feet, a sob
| and a choking kind of laugh and she
was down on her knees by the long
| chair.
'sKeddie! Keddie!" she cried. GIVE
almost broken my hearth
| but the other Johnnie?" he asked
''There wasn't another Johnnie % she
cried, the tears running down herface
and almost drowning the smiles in her
eyes.''I don't know what you mean
Keddie. There was never anyone but
you"
Tiffany Tita!" he murmured; and
then he quietly tainted away. Then
when they had brought him round
again he said with a weak chuckle
Don't let Tita go. Iwant my revenge
on the other Johnnie"