The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1911-11-18

| opinion regarding a lad of two-and-
twenty.
Sara knew all about Billy. save
and except his name. Sara pursed
her lips comIcaIly over Craig's EVIL
dent enthrallmeHt-and once said.
shutting one eye: "If there was a
wireless station handy I'd sent fash
to that young man down In Texas.
But she was good fellow-much
too good to spoil sport Elizabeth
meant it all for no more than sport
until, all at once, with no word Of
warning, Billy came to Old Town
Couldn't help it-with home so hot
and all the things you told of going
on up here" he explained. Hay rides
and boat rides. and auto rides and
everything. Gee! felt l must get
into the game"
You'll have no trouble whatever.
honey, Sara said. coming up behind
Billy and Elizabeth. I'm nobody but
Sara" she went on LET me recon-
mend myself. though. as tins latest
improved variety of gooseberry.
can look bless you, my children. in
three languages, and seven ways at
once. And you'll need to bless me
but for my vigilance Elizabeth
would have been run away with long
ago."
I'D say it-even without that"
Billy answered calamity. holding both
Sara's hands and looking down into
her eyes. They were blue eyes. but
snappy for all that They returned
his gaze steadily until Sara felt moved
to say:
''You don't look Texas-not the least
bit-but. then, neither does Eliza
beth"
DO not forgive us! Nobody can
quite look Texas-it's the finest state
anywhere" Billy answered. Loyalty.
But we do the best we can"
A week showed that Billy could.
and did, fit in beautifully. Craig, even,
could not resist him after the first
two hours. Billy had a way with him.
as insinuating as his gentle. sIurring
drawl.
Elizabeth exulted in Billy-as a
comrade. though. not a possession
She had been too happy to think be-
yond the moment-she was happy
still. but with underneath sense Of
disquiet- Something surprised now
and then, in Craig's eyes, some IN
Election Of his voice when he was OF
guard. formed the roots of the dis
| quiet. Dimly she understood what
she had come to mean to him-as
dim1y she felt that he ought to know
the truth-yet she would rather die
than tell him
Thus, uneasy and perplexed. she
turned instinctively to the thought
of Sara. Perhaps. If Sara tried. she
could make Craig forget-Elizabeth
had a faith simply boundless in her
cousin. A level head had Sara-with
| her, to will was to do. Elizabeth hoped
/ she might will To captivate Craig-if
| 1t were put upon the ground Of cousin
Iy succor.
When woman disposes man some
| times proposes. at the end of fort
night Billy's mind was made up. He
chuckled a bit over the final making
up. saying to his cigar: We'll go
ahome to get married-aIl OF us-onIy
thing to do-it1l pacify the judge and
Marse Willyum."
Marse Willyum was his father. the
| Judge, Elizabeth's. After his dfsre-
s~Rctful comment upon them. Billy
s4-1iled over to the Rowland place.
smiling his most innocent smile.
He found things taking place there
things unusual In the wide dim
parlor rarely opened. Craig had set up
a picture nearly complete. the Spirit
of Dawn-Elizabeth to the life, but
Elizabeth TRANSPORTED by love and
/ 81 rl9r
ture, his eyes dimming the least bit
Then he laid hand on Craig's arm.
saying: 81 must have that"
Craig shook his head-he dared not
speak. Billy went on: "T'lI pay you a
price for it You can't deny 1 have
the right to it
Il won't sell it." Craig said CURLY.
-"Even if it were finished. nobody
could buy it
.Then give it to me-" Billy per-
sisted
Craig glared at him-Biny smiled
infantinely. "As a wedding present.
you know" he went on. You oughtn' t
to grudge it to me and-Sara,'' strid-
ing to that young woman, and slip
ping his arm about her waist 81
4-meant to say I'd give you the orig
NAL" he added. But I really reckon
she isn't mine to give"
shut up! And come out on the
porch, Sara interrupted. shaking her
head at Billy. Don't you see those
two can't speak until they catch
breathe"
Just as you say. boss" Billy an
swered meekly. but ehuckling hard
Over his shoulder he saw Craig and
Elizabeth locked tight IN each 9th
er's arms.