The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1909-04-17

Judith lay in hammock that swung
between two acacias, and the white
blossoms fell at intervals into her
brown garden hat and into her brown
er tresses, which had not yet been put
up, / was glad to see. There was a
PARKWAY look in her eyes and trouble
under them, though l BATTERED myself
the latter disappeared somewhat when
she caught sight of me-
Il am so glad to see you again, Mr..
Derrick" she said. 1T was nice OF
; you TO come. You got my letter? q
had got a letter beginning Dear
Uncle Derrick" to announce that
Judith would be back from Germany
in few days.) 1t was Fraulein's fault
that ii was like that. She was very
particular about whom we wrote to-"
She doesn't know I'm an old fogy?"
You're not" said Judith; Indignant
ly. You're nothing of the kind. And
1t was nice of you to come so soon"
You don't consider me a boy, /
hope" 1 said.
"Why?" demanded Judith.
Because 1 hear you hate boys"
OH" -
Judith sank back in the hammock.
and the far-away look came back to
her eyes again. / began to perceive
that there was something in what Mrs.
Doyrington had said when she dis
patched me into the garden to try and
find out what was the matter with
Judith
Il don't know what's wrong with the
child" she had said shes come
back from the school in Germany quite
changed"
''Measles?" l suggested.
TITS not physical" said Mrs. Doy-
,rington. Its mind. She mopes-dis-
NAL as a wet cat and won't utter a
word"
Perhaps she's forgotten how to
speak English" / said. encouragingly.
After a long absence from ones ma
tive land, one sometimes forgets the
use of it."
But l was on the wrong tack.
Il don't believe she's learned a
word of German" said Mrs. Doyring-
ton, with indignation. Il wish to
goodness I'd never sent her. 1 always
thought there was a je ne sails quot
about those German finishing schools
that you can't get even in Paris; but
you never can trust these Frauleins
and people. Would you believe it,
invited young Keppel Hathaway here
yesterday afternoon on purpose to
play badminton: with Judith-such a
nice boy, and he'll have twenty thou
sand year on his majoFity-and what
does Judith do but go out for walk
five minutes before he arr ives and
stay away till he's gone!
But you go out and see If you can
rouse her, Mr.. Derrick. She used to
tell you everything"
You are rather like an uncle, Mr.
Derrick" she said, suddenly.
'Thanky." l said, meekly. The po-
sition of uncle has it's advantages, no
doubt. But in any case have not and
am never likely to have twenty thou
sand year.
You see" Judith went on, you un
derstand things without fussing, and
you don't have to consult somebody
else about me If / don't happen tc
want to play croquet or something"
"Badminton. for example, | said
"Why should one play badminton? p
Judith asked with vehemence.
"Or billiards." / said. "One shouldn't
unless one feels inclined. What usec
you to play with him?"
with whom?"
THAT boy in Germany"
Lawn tennis, said Judith. Its {;
horrid game. aid badminton reminds
me of it," -.
And Mr.. Keppel Hathaway remind.
you Of What was his. name?"
Judith looked away INTO the acaci;
trees. y
John Teddington Brit" she muir
INJURED.
"Johnnie?" l queried.
Jack" said Judith, instantly. AnC
there was a little pause.
I'VE all love Jack"
I suppose | must have repeated tn,
refrain aloud. for Judiths eyes cam,
TO earth.
81 don't hate him. don't be
lieve l ever did love him, either. HI
was boarding with tutor there"
ITO learn the language-Ich liebe-
liebst du-"
THAT was all the German he knew.
said Judith. with scorn. And he wa
very conceited about that, as we'll a
about his tennis, though I beat hin
several times. Fraulein used to TAX
us TO the English courts"
81 remember them l said.
1--WE used to go there twice
week" remarked Judith, with tn
French governess.
And she used to knit didn't she?
81 wonder how you know that,
said Judith.
THE French governess Away
docs" explained. It's a kind of il
stinctive tact-she doesn't have to Sc
all that's going on-and mittens ar
so useful in the winter. l suppose sh
didn't see Mr.. Brit much"
Il suppose not" said Judith. Their
were a lot of trees round the courts
Iinden-trees-and we hsed to strol
there when we got hot playing to COG
all of u.s."
"MiXed Dairs ."