Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1913-12-04
CHAPTER xII.-contInued.

The boss further opinion concern
ing settlement work was not voiced
because, while Kerr was talking, Judge
Gilbert had telephoned Williams to
usher Mrs. Hayes and Miss Kerr into
the library.
Followed by the other men, Gilbert
advanced to meet them, and after the
usual greetings had been exchanged,
offered them chairs
you must pardon u.s." began Mrs.
Hayes. I'VE did not expect to find
you 80 busy. To tell the truth, we
didn't expect to find two persons
here whom we have already visited"
She looked at Kerr and her husband.
I'm the Cheerful Giver," said Kerr
with humorous grimace which pre-
tended to show that the donation was
not so cheerfully parted with.
I'm not 30 cheerful, but was a
giver," added DR.. Hayes.
II told Judge Gilbert to lock the
safe, that knew you would be after
money" Kerr continued.
Highway robbers, l call Them" was
DIR. Hayes testimony this time.
"A bad reputation they've given us,
Judge Gilbert" laughed Gloria, "and
we don't deserve it, indeed we don't"
Kerr walked into the private office
and Gilbert, catching his eye, followed
him. The boss said something; Gil
bert looked at the women and then
nodded his head in assent. DIR. Hayes,
also catching the boss eye, strolled
away from the group casually as the
Judge rejoined 1t. A word with him
was all that Kerr required. The mas
ter of Locust Lawn was setting the
stage with an eye that overlooked no
detail. There was too much at stake
for him to neglect to interpolate any
thing effective which chance might
throw in his way.
AS the two men walked back into
the library, Mrs. Hayes was saying:
"Dr. Hayes and l have had quite an
argument, and here are the lawyers,
Gloria, who can settle the question for
us Can a woman steal from her hus-
band, Mr. Kendall?"
Kendall knitted his brows in per-
plexity. Really, Mrs. Hayes, that is
a question / shall have to take un-
der advisement."
but man can steal from his wife,"
Gloria put in. There was a general
laugh at this which she did not relish.
I'm talking seriously. If 1t weren't
80, we mightn't be here begging
money"
$50 you are after money" said
Judge Gilbert lightly Then you must
tell me why l should contribute to
keep men from stealing from their
wives, you who have no one to steal
from you"
Gloria was not to be diverted from
what she had to say. These men to
whom she was talking represented to
her what was best in Belmont, what
was best In manhood. She wished
them to see the truth as she saw it.
at isn't that kind of stealing" she
went on; "its worse than that. Till l
went with Mrs. Hayes to visit the
mission l had no idea Of the degrade
ton and misery in a town even like
Belmont. When say men steal from
their wives l mean they take money
they should spend on their families
and spend 1t for whisky and gambling.
II think it's shame that such men
as you, Judge Gilbert, and you, DR.,
Hayes, and you. Father, of all persons,
permit such things to happen here in
Belmont l wish l were a mani"
You can't keep people from spend
ing their money" said Kerr, as he
looked at his watch.
DR.. Hayes caught the slight nod the
boss gave, and said something to his
wife. Then, interrupting the discus
sion, he said to Gloria
I'm already on the list Of cheerful
givers, Miss Kerr, and I'm going tc
ask II you'll let me carry off Mrs
Hayes for half an hour or So"
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