The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1911-06-17

Perhaps she wasn't as purseproud
anA. naughty as his imagination had
painted her. He took up the teIe-
phone and called up his sisters.
Look here" he asked, do you sup
pose that it's too late for you to &C
cept that lunch invitation? I've had
reason to change my mind about our
neighbor."
Betty, on the other end of the wire,
responded joyfulIy Maybe if we
called her up we could fix things"
So artfully did Betty make her
apologies for the refusal of the night
before that Jacquelin forgave her at
once Please come over now" she
begged. "Of course 1 want you
Arrayed in their best the four sis
tiers sailed forth to be struck with
awe at the magnificence of the big
house.
After lunch Jacquelin entertained
them in her music room, where harp
and a piano were the slaves of her
skilled hands.
How beautifully you play" the
girls exclaimed. How Bob would love
to hear you; he loves music
is Bob your brother?" Jacquelin
asked, timidly.
Yes" they chorused.
Perhaps" Jacquelin suggested tim
idly, he would come over with you
some evening
Perhaps" said Betty doubtfully.
When at last it was time for them
to go, Jacquelin begged them to come
again. Come and bring your brother
some evening. and we'll have music"
They repeated the invitation to Bob
that night
She's very sweet" Betty said.
But she's rich." was Bob's ultima
tum, ''and I'm poor. 1t is all right for
you girls, but she doesn't want me
hanging around"
So they made his excuses, and after
that the girls went back and forth
bringing into JacqueIin's life much
that was joyous and helpful; and one
night they invited her over to the lit
tie brown house.
I've always wanted to come" she
said as she sat in front of the big
stove in the living room and helped
them pop corn and pull taffy- You
seemed to have such good times, and
was so lonely"
From a corner of the room Bob
watched her He had left almost re-
sentfuI at the intrusion of this
wealthy woman into their poverty
stricken circle. Yet now his heart
was melted in him as he saw her visit
full face and appealing manner.
Gradually he began to talk to her,
and then it seemed as there was no
one else in the room. He monopOlized
her until Betty grew jealous
Gracious" she said that night,
after their guest had left, I thong it
you didn't like her, Bob"
81 think she is lovely" said Bob,
with a queer catch in his voice.
Bob had fallen in love with her
hopelessIy, but violently.
And Jacquelin? No one knew what
went on in her little wise head. But
one day, after a month in which Bob
had logged her footsteps and watched
her with hopeless eyes. she said to
him abruptly:
You know I'm not rich"
He had been listening to her play
ing. and as he leaned on the piano he
looked at her through the rose-red
light of the candles.
''What?" he stammered.
Her fingers played ripping &C
compartment. I'm not rich" she re-
peated.
Il know" she went on. that you
have thought me a rich woman. But
the money is all my uncle's and he
cannot leave it to me. for 1t comes
from another side of the family.
am here simply to be taken care of
while ne lives, and he is an old man;
when he dies I shall be alone"
And you have told me this Bob
said in a trembling voice. why have
you told me this ?"
Her fingers dropped from the keys.
and she looked up at him You know
why" she said.
The next morning Bob made a won
derful announcement to his sisters.
Il am going to marry JacqueIin," he
said.
They stared at him.
But she is rich" Betty exclaimed.
How did you dare ask her. Bob?"
Bob evaded the question. He was
not sure that he had asked her. It
had all come upon him so suddenly,
but he knew he was supremely happy.
He told them something of what
she had said to him.
''She isn't rich. and she's lonely,
and as soon as she is better and can
get the things made that women seem
to think they must have, she is going
to marry me. girls, and well live
happy ever after in the Little Brown
House"