The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1912-08-17

nSure IN her young arms and SQueez-
ed It vigorously. I'll cut your dress
this very day while mother takes her
nap"
On the following Saturday Mandy
received an astounding check for her
eggs. and a brief letter of explana-
ton:
Dear Madam
Your eggs are of such fancy quail
ity 1 have closed them out to special
customers, and have contracted for
all you can send in future. Guarantee
price as fancy as the eggs them
selves, etc"
Mandy gazed at the check. Twelve
dollars! Why, that's forty cents a
for mother and Sammy" According
to her custom she began making swift
figures on a scrap of paper She
crossed out items and replaced them
with others, until she had list. the
amount of which tailed with the face
Of the amazing check
See. m.otheri" Mandy cried, racing
into the room where her mother lay,
rTopped in a big chair with many
pillows. "SeeI Ny check. my letter
and my Iist!''
MIS-. Harrison smiled at the girls
bright chatter. took the check Imply,
raised herself little, read the letter
and sat upright. then she caught the
memorandum Mandy had prepared:
But daughter!" she protested. wip-
ping her eyes, there isn't single thing
for yourself-you've just got to get
|, e. III
81 will" replied Mandy promptly,
next time. I'm going to buy up the
neighborhood eggs. and sell them
fancy; I'll be a bloated bondholder be-
fore long, and you'll see the ribbons
and things I'll buy myself, but you're
going to have a hammock and few
things you need before 1 begin 20 lux
uriate" Mandy kissed her mother &c
staticaIly. It'll be just heaven to
have you around again"
Mandy drove into town that after
noon. spending her money happily
though she did shed tears when the
doctor refused further payment for
his services.
Everybody is so good" she muir
INJURED. as she started down the main
tOMdIOS uOIuS ono NS@o
bv the railroad tracks, the evening
passenger train having rolled in
Mandy always liked to watch the
train and the people who Travelled up
on it. She was frankly interested IN
the drift of people who went past her
on the sidewalk just beyond the road
where her horse was halted. Sudden
" across her vision rose the figure OF
n man. like. yet unlike the one OF
whom she had long dreamed the
nan caught her look, paused. stepped
forward. then hurried to the buggy
where the girl sat dazedly looking at
him.
This is surely my lucky day." cried
Jim Patterson's well-known, weil-loved
voice. I'm going home with you If
you'll let me Mandy" Jim dropped
bundle into the buggy. thrust his suit
case under the seat. and located big
box in front
why, JIM" Mandy gasped. as he
masterfully caught the lines from her
linn hand. giving that hand a warm
pressure as he did So
Not until the vacant country road
was reached did Jim permit the slack
ening of the horses pace. Now
Mandy" said Jim. winding the lines
over the dashboard. allowing the
horse to drive himself, Il want to
know why you stopped writing to me.
thought you'd forgotten me-
81 didn't forget" Mandy STAN
mered, "but I thought"
you didn't have any reason to
think You know I'm no writer. I'm
inst dumb before a sheet of paper, but
I'm not tongue-tied. Say, I've got
present for you, and hope you'll like
if for twas bought to your own or
der" Jim foraged for the great bun
die. Look here!" He unrolled before
Mandy's astonished gaze, a piece OF
sbimmering white silk, scattered and
tordered with the most delicate de-
eion in mink rose buds. And here's
a pair of pumps"
They're white!" cried Mandy. as
she touched the dainty things ten
derby.
.aThis box of stuff a salesIady l
know packed up for me. l told her L
wanted the sort of things a real lady
would want for her wedding outfit.
Jim laughed happily. Say, Mandy!
How did you ever know, jim?
Jim's face became grave as he drew
from his pocket bit Of torn card
hoard piecing it together carefully
DO you remember when that picture
was taken?"
Yes" she quavered, but I don't
know how you ever got hold Of it.
Then a revealing flash came to her
"OhI twas Mrs. Morrisi She stuffed
that in to tighten the filters in the
egg crate"
Twas Providence" said Jim. I've
done just great, and though 1 don't
very often unpack the eggs, / did
chance on that crate. thank heaVen!"