The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1912-04-27
Miss SunbOnnet
(copyrieht. IoIs. b. Assoeiated LitsEaEy Psessl
By SUSANNA GLENN

ISOLATED Literary PUess)
But that is not the point. Do you
care enough to forget that she is in
no possible way suited to you?"
"One cannot forget what one never
! knew, dear child"
But, Jimmie, you are such schol-
ar, SO learned that you discomfort
even me. 1 can discover nothing in
which she is really posted"
You know very little about her,
Lucille. I have never known Of her
reading anything I was not interested
| in, at least"
And she is quiet and dependent,
| and afraid Of things, where you have
! always admired a fearless woman 1
! dare say she never rode a horse in
all her life"
Il believe she is a bit nervous about
horses he admitted with his indul-
gent smile.
ooh, see there is not use in talk
ing Facts, however glaring, have no
effect upon a man in love"
| so that is what all this means
! You think I am in love with Miss Per
ry? 1 thought you more discriminate
ing, dear second-cousin Lucilel I
merely like her very much, because,
I repeat, she is a very nice grill"
81 think you expressed it better this
morning when you called her Miss
| Sunbonnet'
Still, remember there is something
under the bonnet" advised James.
walking away with provoking good
humor.
Jeanette in her arbor, sat in mo-
! tionless misery.
ct is all true" she whispered; 'he
! admires a woman who is capable and
bright and fearless, and I am a plain,
| stupid little thing afraid of my own
! shadow. Lucille loves him-and he
| loves her only he doesn't understand
! it yet, any more than 1 did until she
came and set fire to my very heart"
Until long after darkness had set
! tied, she sat motionless with her
thoughts.
Now when it is too late I have
overcome one of my Deficiencies she
thought bitterly as she sat fearlessly
in the breathIess night.
Across the sky streaked jagged
CLEANS of lightning. Thunder crashed
nearer and nearer Then rain dashed
into the frail shelter. But she smiled
CONTEMPORARY, defantly.
Whatever makes my little Miss
Sunbonnet so pale?" inquired Harper
next morning as he crossed into the
neighboring garden.
'1 am not pale" denied Jeanette,
flushing uncomfortabIy. And 1 wish
yoE would call me by my name; that
other sounds too foolish, reaIly!"
James wondered vaguely. But be
fore he could investigate this new
turn Of affairs, Lucille called from the
porch that she was ready for her ride.
You'd better look out for Jet this
morning" he cautioned as she mount
ed the uneasy black horse. "She is
nervous as a witch"
'fYou must know 1 am utterly IN
afraid of a horse" answered the girl
loud enough for Jeanette to hear. "a
few miles Of this fine, open road will
quiet her, never fear"
Jeanette shivered as Jet pranced
out Of the gate.
81 could never ride like that" she
said aloud. Then she saw James adj
miring glance toward the graceful girl
on the flying horse, and fastened to
the back of her garden.
An hour later Jeanette was work
ing with the roses at the front gate.
A clatter of hoofs told her of the
riders return. But why was Lucille
cIingfng so desperately to Jets neck,
her white face half concealed by her
Ioosened hair and the horses flying
name?
Jet was plunging wildly, uncon-
troIIably. The moment she compre-
hended, Jeanette flashed through the
gate.
Nothing must happen to Lucille"
she sobbed franticaIly. He loves her;
he loves her!"
Wildly she waved her bonnet before
the oncoming horse AS Jet slack
clutched the loosened bride The
horse swung round and stopped, evil
IDENTIFY weary from her run. Lucille
slipped Imply to the grass, unhurt-
"Jeannette, Jeanette" cried Har-
per. rushing to her and loosening the
bride from her fingers.
At sight of her white cheeks he
took her suddenly in his arms.
"You are sure you are not hurt?"
he cried sharply. "Oh. Jeanette,
what made you do it? You might
have been killed."
81 wanted to save Lucille" she whis-
pered.
James Harper looked at her with
eyes through which his heart spoke.
Color returned to her pale cheeks.
and at sight Of it he stopped and
kissed her tenderly, reverently.
Precious little Miss Sunbonnet,' he
whispered.