The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1910-08-13

studio in a state bordering closely on
breathlessness. Phil Howard dropped
palette and brush and came hastily
forward.
Great Scotts!" he calculated
Where did you get next to the togs?''
Hillary flung himself into the near
est chair
Boarding house thieves got into
my room some time during the night.
and carried off almost everything
owned" he explained, between a Wig
orous hopping of his heated face.
Mrs Bink's, that's my landlady,
rugged me out, and advanced me the
wherewithal to telegraph home for
funds. These buds belonged to her
husband. the late Captain Binks, of
the Sarah Ann"
Phil Towards mouth twitched.
You don't look half bad, Hillary"
he began critically. Nov if there
was only trifle less of them"
But Bert waved him back. you
haven't heard ALL he said gloomily.
my prospective employer has, in
letter which l received yesterday, set
four o'clock this afternoon for per-
sonal interview. 1 won't hear from
home before tomorrow night, and even
you will own that my appearance,
however picturesque it may be. is
hardly calculated to add to my chances
with Mr.. Gordon March"
Phil whistled softly. Il know some
thing of Gordon March. A fine fellow
democratic, and all that. Immense
ly rich, too. and they say he's got
stunning daughter. Why not phone,
asking for a postponement of the in
terview?" he suggested tentatively.
Telling him I've got no clothes in
which to present MYSELF" queried the
victim of circumstances scornfully.
Besides. 1 ought to have mentioned
before that Mr.. March sails the day
after tomorrow, and that l owe my
chance to the fact that he discovered
a serious flaw in the references of the
man he had engaged at about the
same time he received Uncle David's
letter. I've pestered my uncle into
using his influence and I'm well
enough acquainted with the irascible
old gent to realize that he'll never
| again raise a finger in my behalf if l
fail to make good. Phil" with more
force than grammar, I've got to meet
| Gordon March at four this afternoon,
and you've got to help me do it,
But" demonstrated the bewildered
! Phil, I've just paid some bills and in
consequence am left with but five dol
lars. You're welcome to them, but of
course five dollars won't"
mo; five dollars won't buy an out
fit," broke in the other, but you've
got an extra suit, and we're about the
same build" he added suggestively.
Sure thing!" cried his friend en-
Enthusiastically entering into the spirit
of the occasion. Put me down for a
blockhead." He strobe across the
room, flung open the door of his ward
robe only to fall back with vexed ex-
clamation. For, in the line of clothes
their eager eyes encountered nothing,
except one full dress suit, a pair OF
extra trousers and several fancy vests.
''Pd forgotten that 1 sent that suit
to the cleaners" muttered Phil con-
tritely.
Bert groaned. ''You missed your
calling, old man. A professorship
would have been more in your line
The other bore the rebuke humbly.
"Ill phone!" And with that intention,
he started toward the instrument.
They'll be sure to take their time,
and it's half past two now" objected
Bert
But Pills zeal was now fully
aroused in his friends behalf and he
would brook no obstacles.
iii go after the suit myself" he an
nounced triumphantly. 81 can be back
In less than half an hour. There are
some people coming to buy picture, .
he called over his shoulder, 1.-The ele-
vator boy can tell them to await my
return. When you hear them you can
slip into my bedroom"
The time passed slowly enough and
by the time the minute hand had trav-
eled around to three on the clock
Bert's state Of mind had become well
nigh uncomfortable.
lions came the sound of voices and in
stantly Phil's admonition occurred to
him. But to reach the bedroom he
would have to pass the other door,
which some one was, even then. try
ing He did the only thing that, in
his chaotic state, he could think Of
he dropped down and wriggled under
a nearby couch.
What a delightful room, papa! /
hope it's owner won't dispel the pleas
ant impression" reached the burning
ears under the couch
The voice was clear, and decidedly
girlish, and the swish of the speakers
shirts, and her admiring EXPLANATIONS
, over the various objects of interest
and beauty which adorned PhiPs walls
were all plainly audible to the unhap-
py young man. Once the girl stepped
so that he caught a glimpse. through
the fringe of the couch cover, of a
brown hem and pair of pretty russell
shod feet.
After an interval that had seemed
ike an hour there was a click like the