The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1912-04-20

ness. But-he still wanted an ex-
PLANTATION. He accepted dismissal;
that was her right. Perhaps when
summer came she would remember
and pity and send him a word. He
no longer had any pride in the mat
ter. She could do as she would with
him.
The sun was hot, though the wind
was cold in the Swallowed places, and,
wandering about, he could no longer
control his worriment. He must find
distraction. He turned aside to allow
the passing Of q group Of young girls,
shining-eyed, White-gloved. festive
with vtolets on their open coats, matt
nee-bound. He looked after them.
Youth and beauty meant nothing TO
him but Marcia" but he needed Oh
version. He also would go to the
theater, though he knew the play
would be driveling.
He bought his ticket, checked his
coat and found his seat The curtain
was yet down and the orchestra play
ing in the dim place. Women were
chattering all about him.
The curtain rose in due time and
had expected little truth, much
mere rot. He wondered why people
should need amusement so much
why this should amUse them But
some of it was not bad. It all turned
! on a misunderstanding between lovers,
| separated by the Vaccinations OF
! jealous woman. The theme was very,
very threadbare and ancient He won
dered if such things really happened
In plays, unlike life, however, things
were cleared up. Everybody knew
why. There was explanation
Gazing about between the acts, he
saw Kate at the edge of a box He
studied her face. 1t was queerly
| drawn and pale-almost tragically
worried. He had not seen her of late
| He reproached himself for neglecting
friend just because he happened to
be wretched himself
He straightway rose and went for
moments talk. She was very con
| strained and quiet. No, she had not
! been i'll. She was afraid he was too
| late about coming to see her. She
was starting that night for the west
| to live with a widowed aunt. Yes, 1t
was sudden. 1t must be-good-by.
The wise old man who explained
things to everybody in the play held
the center of the stage in this last act
Stephen found himself really listening
"a man is helpless with women
said the man in the play. They
fight each other and use him for a
| tool. They leland he believes them
and perhaps his whole life is spoiled
by a jealous within which he dies
ignorant Of Men come out in the
open and explain. Women let pride
or jealousy make fends of them at
moments, though they are angels
when themselves. You can't blame
| them-it is a sort of insanity, not to
be Straightforward. How they will let
a man suffer for lack of a word OF
two!" There was more of it, al
banaI enough, all, to his taste, a little
cheap, but perhaps with a grain OF
truth
Then an usher handed him a folded
note. He glanced UP at the box, but
Kate Boyd was not there He forgot
everything, reading. her penciled note
1t began without preface:
go straight out and see Marcia
| She will be waiting for you, for be
! fore you get there she will have E
| note from me telling her what thi:
says to you
Last November I lied to her.
was afraid you loved her. I carec
| myself, and could not bear to lose you
| I told her we were engaged, and askeC
her not to come between u.s. 1 put i
in a way that hurt her self-respect 81
that she could not forgive nor see you
Now 1 have told her that it was no
the truth. Kate"
Stephen gave a little gasp and hi
strength left him. He had neithe
pity nor blame for Katet. He coult
only think of Marcia, her sweet eyes
her sweet lips; her gentle DEAFNESS
Would she love him again? He en-
tered the first taxicab and rang he
bell
The maid took his card. Then sh
silently led him to the library, openet
the door for him, and closed it again
"Marciai" he said, but she wa
close in his arms, ''Marcia!"