The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1910-07-02

She felt touch upon her shoulder
Tomorrow" said the old. calm voice
of Gaylord Leighton, you may tell me
your choice. Till then, goodby," and
he was gone.
aIones The girl dried her tears,
gazing longingly at the out-of-doors,
kind soother of all her gfrIish
troubles. 1t would help her now, to go
out there where the autumn trees
were reddening in the park.
For a long time We're had walked on
a freQuented boulevard, hearing moth
ing, s. -eing no one of the hundreds
who passed her in conveyances of one
sort and another. She could only think
of her trouble and inability to decide.
If only she could be sure that it would
not wound Gaylord Leighton, she
would give him up. She would-she
must release him; it was not right
She was just leaving the drive to
turn into a more secluded walk. when
a mans magnetic voice spoke, some
what difidently. her name. An auto
mobile had stopped a few feet from
her. She turned about and looked into
the expressive, eager eyes Of Hamp-
ton Collins, the occupant of the car.
81 was Just going over to your
house" he said. but you are the one
1 wished to see" He was on the
ground by her side. taking her hand
will you get in?"
AS one who dreamed, Vera entered
the car
Il was almost afraid to speak to
you at first, Vere," he continued, but
1 guess it's all right; you are glad to
see me?" He was looking down at
her, more handsome, more command
ing than ever and yet, the same. good
old chum. were, If you will pardon
the conversationability, 1 must say
that you are lovelier even than my ex-
pectations."
Il am engaged. Hampton" con-
fessed We're impetuously; Il am to be
married in three weeks
81 know it." There was an odd
calmness in Hampton's voice Saw
the announcement in the paper. That
is the reason l crossed a continent
to be hereto see YOU
The girl buried her face in her
hands.
''Vere,'' pursued Hampton, drawing
her hands down and imprisoning them
both in one of his, you have been
mine for-well. ever since we used to
play together in the sand there by the
Lakeland how long have you been en-
gagged to Leighton"
oh! it isn't that cried the girl;
| you can't reason it that way 1t is
mother, father. Gaylord, society,"
can't bear to displease- disappoint
them"
Society. society,"" repeated the
young man grimly. We're, do you love
me?" He bent toward her, drawing
her eyes with the intensity of his
| gaze. do you love me, little girl?
| Tell me that-say it just once"
Yes, oh yes. Hampton, l love you.
but 1t can't bet is impossible!"
You are willing to ruin three lives.
then, for the sake of what people may
| think?" Then, tenderly, as he saw the
pain In her face, cit is enough, We're,
If you love me. 1 shall keep you al
ways, as before"
AS the automobile drove up before
| the Parker residence to leave We're.
Gaylord Leighton came out of the
house and passed up the street In
half an hour, We're received a note
from her fance, brief and reserved.
but not unkind, to say that she was
released from her promise; that, in
the light Of recent developments, he
should consider their union unwise
even impossible.
When she had read it, We're few
upstairs once more, to the high cedar
chest in the attic, to bow her face
upon the old photograph; but heI
tears. this time, were tears of Joy.