The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1910-11-05

PnOeOe laid down the letter Sne
had Just finished reading and sat for
a belligerent moment staring at the
riot of Towering roses in the garden
beyond. But their rainbow beauty
and pervading fragrance failed to car
ry an appeal. Her eyes were flashing.
and twin flags of resentful crimson
had begun to wave danger signals in
her cheeks. His minister, indeed!
Why, she would as soon think OF be-
Ing married by the gardener as not
to have dear old DR.. Waverley offici-
ate at her wedding. He had married
her mother. baptized herself and per
formed the last sad rites over her be-
loved father. There was no one else
In the whole world who could. or
should. read the nuptial service over
her!
With trembling fingers she took up
Harold Craig's letter, postmarked New
York. and SKINNED through the con-
tents:
Dearest Phoebe: am glad you
have set the day for June 10. l can
then have a full months vacation, and
Mr.. Hendricks will be able to take
his at the same time, coming with me
10 Chicago a couple Of days before the
ceremony. have asked him to per
form the service, and he has signifled
his pleasure
Am rushed today, will write you
q long letter by to-nights mail and
try to tell you how much l love you.
You already know that am the hap
piest man in all the world.
The indignant tears splashed the
page she was reading and caused Har-
old Craig's affectionate words to run
together in a hooking blur of purple.
With an uncontrolled gesture of mu-
tiny. Phoebe crumpled the letter into
a ball and flung 1t into the trash bas-
ket To be ignored, $3.50 supercili-
ously overlooked! Her temper was
fast getting the better of her. and,
obeying swift impulse, she rose and
crossed the room to a desk.
With rising ire. her pen raced
through the words:
Dear Hal: Your letter OF the eighth
received. Needless to say, it's con
tents grieved me exceedingly. 1t is
my prerogative, believe, to select the
minister, and l cannot understand
your summary way of setting aside
my rights and inviting your Mr.. Ken,
bricks to officiate. at our wedding.
Il shall never be married by any
minister Of any denomination except
DIR. Waverley. Please explain the sit.
uation to your friend and oblige,
Yours in haste. PHOEBE"
Phoebes curt little note brought
young Craig to Chicago post haste
The unexpectedness of his visit put
Phoebe instantly on the defensive
She greeted him frigidly.
Il came" began Craig, tentatively
ito suggest a compromise.
The black glittered in Phoebe's eyes
the red in her cheeks.
NO" she said, decisively, ct have
made all my arrangements, and re
fuse to compromise, as you put It
Any gentleman"
Young Craig's shoulders squared
resentfully. He looked at her with the
first touch of anger he had ever dis
played toward his fiancee since theil
engagement. Isn't that putting 1t {
trifle strong? l think we are startin,
on the wrong track, considering tina
we are to spend our lives together
Then we will not spend our live.
together. So there!"
When Harold Craig recovered from
his establishment he was staring a
the blank wall instead of into Phoeb,
Walters's face. He waited half al
hour-an hour. She did not return
N2Ir
table and began to turn the leaves
absently. The clock striking 81,
aroused him. He must catch tina
seven train back to New York withou
fail, or his business affairs would b.
In jeopardy. He rose and presse,
the bell sharply. Tho maid came a
once, with the information that Mis-
Phoebe had retired to bed with a sic
headache. Craig was IA 4 Quandary
But thu time was nying and he ha
TO decide quickly. He tore a leaf from
his memorandum book and scribble
a hasty line, giving II to the maid +
DE delivered to Phoebe.
my Dear GiFt-TSu arr nervous
md overwFoueht. am sorry II
seemed 20 be rude o. unngentlemanly
but my intentions were of the fairest
No doubt, after thinking things over
you will perfectly agree with me. Il
the moantime. shall be obliged to re
turn to my work. as this Is the begin
ming OF the heavy season-and don
want anything to spoil our honey
moon.
''RegrettinR that cannot see yo,
before go. your loving HAL"
Weeks went by and there came NJ
word from Phoebe. At first youn
Craig had merely smiled at her stub
bornness. telling himself that he UT
derstood women. that she wonld wax
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