The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1912-08-24

Ned told GeneV1eVe ana she told
me that Allen had removed all his
things from the house and had fur
nished studio in the city here. 1
haven't been down to Hillcrest to see
If it is Sol might meet him and
that would be embarrassing for US
both. Some day GenevieVe will go
down and Investigate"
And if it is true that he has left
the house for you to occupy shall you
go back there?"
moi" cried Amy sharply. You
don't know what you ask, Evelyn.
Why, all the happiness of my life Is
bounded by the walls of HI1lcrest-
we planned the house together"
Evelyn looked bewildered. But
my dear, If you feel that way-why.
love cannot have died and perhaps
perhaps there is a chance if you two
should meet again"
But Amy's protesting hand silenced
her.
NO" she said tragically. cit is all
over. 1 told Alien I never wanted to
see him agaifl-and he as much as
told me the same thing"
And you don't want the oppor-
tunfty?"
Tears rushed to Amy's eyes. cit is
too late, Evelyn. He would never
forgive me-but-but shall never
be happy again-without him"
Amy GAY" Evelyn dropped upon
the floor beside her friend
'Well?" asked Amy
If Allen met you half way-wouId
you be reconciled?"
Amy shook her head doIefuIIy.
He never will stir one step to meet
met must be all or nothing with
him. His mother told me that the
Gays were always that way"
And you cannot see your way
clear to make the first advances?"
No-no-I could not bear the
thought that he might turn away
from me. Let US talk about some
thing else, Evelyn want to forget
him will forget himi"
She ratified the teacups and made
a fuss over pouring another cup of
tea for her guest. Evelyn Beers
arose and Strengthened her hat be-
fore a Venetian mirror. A vista of
the adjoining room was reflected in
the mirror and what she saw there
held Evelyn petrified with wonder
1t was a long room furnished as a
studio, and standing before an easel
with palette and brushes in his idle
fingers was Amy's husband He
wore paint-stained blouse and as
his patient brown eyes met the as
tonished ones of Evelyn Beers in the
mirror, he calmly wiped his brushes
and came forward
Evelyn turned swiftly to Amy
Il thought you said you didn't
know where Allen was" she said &C
cusingly
Il don't know"
eff you will come here-and look
into the next room
Amy was beside her in an instant
"Oh!" she cried sharply. What
does it mean?"
She looked from the familiar sur
roundings of the tea table to the
studio furnished with her husbands
treasures, saw him standing there,
eager-eyed and with hands out
stretched. 81 must have come into
the wrong apartment-It is so like
Genevieve's-this little room is ex-
actly like it in every detail-but the
studio"
This is suite A, on the sixth
floor" explained Allen Gay, gra7eIy.
"Oh, what a dreadful mistakei"
cried Amy with burning cheeks, for
the situation had its ludicrous side
I'VE have eaten your cakes and tea
and"
4 prepared them for you, Amy"
he said softly, and as he came for
ward Evelyn Beers slipped quietly
from the room. 'I have always
thought that some day you might
come backbone home to me, and
so I've always had this table ready
for you-it made it seem as though
you might drop in any moment" He
laughed awkwardIy, but a pulse
throbbed in his throat just above his
stiff collar
Amy's fair face was hidden in her
hands. ''Oh. Allen" she sobbed, Il
was too obstinate to meet you half
way, and you have come all the way
to meet mel Fate must have sent
me here, because I would not come
myself"
As his arms closed around her once
more she whispered tearfuiIy: 'T
wish there was some penance I could
perform to atone for my wickedness."
I'VE have both done penance,
sweetheart" he said gravely.