Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-11-16

arm. Miss-Miss Christine" he said
stiff1y.
She took 1t. rather awkwardly per
haps but very resolutely
Il thought 1 heard something in the
bushes back there she said in extenu-
alton
1T was the wind he vouchsafed,
but his thoughts went at once to Blake.
1nvoluntarily he looked over his Shout
der and quickened his pace She felt
his arm stiffen-
I'm quite sure it was a cow" she
said
Are you afraid of cows?"
'.Dreadfully.''
And you're not afraid of elephants
or camels?-'
"Oh, dear. no: they're tame" She
seemed in doubt as to the wisdom of
expressing aloud the thoughts that trou-
bled her. Twice she peered up into the
face of her companion Then she reso-
lutely delivered herself 81 do hope IA
Their won't see US, David
You poor girlr' he cried gently. I'm
sorry If this gets you into trouble. De-
mise didn't tell me. She
"Oh, Denise did it on PURPOSE" she
said, quite glibly. 81 suppose she thinks
We're going to fall in love with each
other
David was grateful to the darkness
1t hid his blush Of confusion.
But that's perfectly silly" went on
the soft voice at his elbow 81 just
want to be your friend, David. Ny
mother adores you. So do /, but in Just
the same way that she does. II
couldn't think of being so ridiculous as
to fall in love with you"
He resented this. II don't see why
you say that" he said. But" very
hastily, I'm not asking you to do 1t.
Please don't misunderstood me. r.
Mother and 1 are SO sorry for you,
David she went on earnestly. We
we don't believe a word of-of-well,
you know She was suddenly dis
tressed.
How do you know that I'm not
guilty?' he cried bitterly. You have
only my word for it OF course. I'd
deny it Anybody would, even II he
was as guilty as sin. IL might have
done it, for all you know"
"Oh, don't-don't talk Inc that,
DavidT'
Nearly every one with the show
thinks 1 did 1t. It doesn't matter to
them, either. They like me just as
we'll lists as If 1 were a friend
less, homeless dog. They're tender
hearted. They'd do as much for the
dog, every time. 1 like them for It
I'll not forget everybody's kindness to
me and-and their Indifference"
Indifference, David2"
Yes. That's the word 1t doesn't
make any difference what I am, they
just say It's all right and-and-that's
ALL"
She caught the intensely bitter note
in his voice. Christine was young, but
she had fine perceptions. Her lip
trembled
Nobody thinks you did it." she cried
in a vehement undertone. Even
father She stopped abruptly.
IF he thinks I'm Innocent, why is
he so set on keeping me from talking
to you or your mother?" he demanded
quickly, a sudden fire entering his
brain "That doesn't look as if he
thinks I'm all right, does it? Pm-Im
not a low down person. If I was,
could see a reason But I'm a gentle
man. Every man in my family has
been a gentleman since-oh, you'll
think I'm boasting. I didn't mean to
say this to you. No, Christine, your
father thinks I'm guilty
HE does notp' she whispered 'T
know he doesn't I've heard him argue
with mother about you. He has told
her that he does not believe that you
killed your grandfather. I've heard
him say 1t, David He-he Is only
thinking of-must 1 say 1t? OF the
disgrace to us If you should be caught
and it came out we were your friends.
That's it He's thinking of us, David.
1t Is so foolish of him We both have
told him so. But-but you don't know
my father" There was a world of
meaning in that declaration, and 1t was
not disrespectful, either
David was discreetly silent He was
quelling the rage that always rose in
his heart when he thought of Thomas
Braddock's attitude, not only toward
him but toward his wife.
ST wish he wouldn't look at 1t in
that way. David" she resumed plain
lively We've would be so happy
if you could be with us-that is, more
but not from embarrassment 1t was
in the fear of saying something that
might touch his sensitive pride.
IL love your mother" he cried in
tensely "She's the best woman I've
ever known-except my own mother.
She's better than my aunts-yes, she
is, Better than all of them. 1 could
die for her."
She clutched his arm tightly, but
said nothing. Neither spoke for a mat