The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1912-03-02
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The Stone Gods
copyright. 1o11. By Associated Literary Press)
By TEMPLE BAILEY

feet shadow maiden if you shut your
self up in this dark old garden
The color came into Rosamond's
pale face until she was as vivid as
a fame, "Oh, I hate it here. she
said, with her little hands elenched:
I hate it,
Then why do you stay?" he asked
gently.
Uncle had his heart broken when
he was a young man. she said, sim
ply. He loved a woman who mar
ried another man Ny father broke
my mothers heart-so my uncle does
not believe in marriage. He kept
me in a convent until I was eighteen,
and two years ago we came here.
He has always lived in India, and
he loves the stone gods which he
brought from there, and he has put
them around the fountain, and
have to look at them every day"
He took her little trembling hands
in his strong grasp.
Look at me-" he commanded, and
she raised her eyes and met his
steady glaAce. LISTEN am going to
set the fairy princess free from the
enchanted garden But she must let
me do it in my own way-and trust
me-wflI she?"
"Oh, yes" she breathed.
Every day after that he came
Rosamond did not know what power
he used to charm her uncle, but the
older man grew eager for talks and
arguments with the young doctor.
They lunched together and dined to-
gether, and every day Rosamond sat
at the table content to listen, and
meet the glance of the steady eyes
which seemed to say. always: Trust
me-"
And she did trust him, even when
one day he went by her with averted
head as he passed through the gar
den on his way to his motor.
/ At lunch she had the key to the
situation 81 have thought some
times" her uncle said, restlessly,
that the doctor looks at you as If
he loves you-it would be a calamity
| if he should learn to care for you,
Rosamond.''
Rosamond's own heart beat fu-
riously, but she said carelessly: He
scarcely notices me at all uncle"
The next day the doctor came early
to the garden. 81 must speek to you
before your uncle comes he said to
Rosamond, who had arisen at his ap-
proach. 'I love you'll want you for
my Wife-but-I don't want you to
marry me in order to escape from
bondage. You must know love, child,
before you leave your garden"
Rosamond's eyes dropped before
/ n - &c hor
is one man with whom could live al
ways in my garden" she WHISPERED.
He bent to hear her. ''Ten me his
name" he commanded, then caught
her in his arms as she whispered,
| You"
81 can't carry you OF like thief
in the night" he said after a raptur-
Gus moment 81 shall have to beard
the lion in his den, dear
He'll never consent" she said.
fearfully.
Ten minutes later in the dim study
two angry men faced each other.
eff you do not give your consent 1
shall run away with her, the doctor
said steadily. You are killing her
if not physically, at least mentally
and spiritually-no girl con live con-
stantIy with your old gods and sur
vive''
Tomorrow she goes back to India
with me-" said the raging guardian.
you cannot take her away from
me. love her too well to have her
hurt
yet you are hurting her. There is
no ache like a heart-ache. Surely you
know that, sir
The old man stared as if he had
been stung, then covered his face. 81
want to save her." he said.
Then let her love and be loved"
The younger man came over and
put his hand on the bent shoulders.
'AlI that you would have been to
the woman you loved, will be to
Rosamond. Can I say more than
that?"
The face that was raised to his had
in it remuneration, combined with
hope. Make her happy" quavered
the old man.
GETTING a DELIGHTFUL Sensation.