The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1911-01-28
Asking Mary
By JOANNA SINGLE
Copyright. 1910. by Associated Literary Press

it to you? What you want to know
for? Has the bug got you, tool
Huh?"
Look here, Parsons. don't fool
If you knew my reason"
"Oh, well, confound you--it's Mary
Newton I'm going back to bed"
He slammed up the receiver.
Willis sank down on the steps. with
his face in his hands He had a
chance yet-a chance to make good
with Mary! A great love for his
partner swept over him-good old
Ben He could have Mary Newton all
he wanted to. He went back to bed
He closed his eyes and tried TO
think that Mary loved him as he did
her. He tried to recall signs. some
proof that she did. Nothing came
Boiled down. and viewed with legal
impartiality, facts showed that she
had been fine friend and nothing
more He realized that he knew
nothing whatever about her heart.
She was sWeet-but as impartially as
a rose, and to all the world He now
lived only to find out
Then he slept, and woke shamefuily
late and hungry, and found Ben wait
ing in the dining-room, also hungry
and unashamed They avoided men
ton of the evening before-both were
self-conscious. They spoke loftily OF
law, and each wondered how he
would be rid of the other after break
fast The latter was not difficult
they melted away in different diree-
tiOns, neither toward the Office. The
law was to have a letting alone.
Willis found Maryland most of her
family-on the porch enjoying the
freshness of the morning. She greeted
him with a gay comradeship that
made his heart sink Was this the
way to greet a lover? Love would
have made her hesitate, blush per
haps, when he asked her to walk
downtown with him. He wanted TO
be rid Of the family, and they didn't
even know it, clustering about him!
Mary got her hat, said she had TO
shop anyhow, and they started on
The morning was perfect, the walk
lovely. Mary didn't talk much. but
she never did. But now she somehow
kept him silent. Then a new fear
assailed him. Suppose word should
deny him love, and lose him friend
ship Asking Mary became no simple
matter. Was this the place, the time?
Must he not WOO her first? Then
before he knew 1t she was saying this
was her first place to shop, and he
was going alone to his Office.
For q week thereafter the lover
found life a torture. He could not
find his tongue. His heart was a
weight within him. He could not get
Mary alone.
The end, like the beginning, was
shock. 1t was simple, too. He did
not, at first, even ask her, though she
made him atone for that later Oh,
Mary saw to it that he was humbled!
They, with Ben Allen and This Mary,
were motoring, Ben at the wheel
Around hidden turn a herd Of cattle
INSTRUCTED the road. "A sudden des-
perate turn to dodge them, and the
car overturned, and settled into a
ditch, painting like living thing The
girls screamed, but rose unhurt, as
did Ben. But Willis did not rise.
Mary, reaching him first, saw his face
white, his eyes closed. With one
movement she knelt and gathered
him into her arms.
Don't stand there staring; run for
help. you tYo," she commanded
The house back there-telephone for
a doctor-and get some waterbury.
[ tell youl'
Ben went perforce, but uncon-
vinced that more than a shock was
the matter. In moment Willis
opened his eyes naturally enough, saw
where he was, and seemed uncom-
monty satisfied. He made no move
ment to take his head from the girls
arm. Then he saw that tears ran
down the tan of her cheek, and wet
his forehead.
Why, I'm not hurt-only stunned
a bit, dearest," He jumped up, shook
himself. and held out his arms for
her
She came. hiding her face against
! him. trembling with the shocks and
the fright. She chung to him with
both hands, and he comforted her
with a comfort old as the world, and
sweet as the youngest rose They did
not need words, but words neVerthe-
less soon broke the silence Ben
| Allen, hot and anxious. bearing his
| burden Of water and information
stood before them.
We'll, I'll be everlastingly switched
Do you suppose the doctor will think
he can do anything for your present
sad condition? Will you have some
help, OF some water. and, if so, which