The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-10-30
THEIR ARDENT CASE
BY LOUISE J. STRONG.

How good or you to come early!"
little Mrs. Foster greeted, effusively.
the gentleman entering with her hus-
band, "but-I expected your wife,"
looking vaguely over his shoulder.
Everybody isn't married because
you are" the visitor smiled. Il hope
Halls matrimonial experiences have
sobered him. He needed It,"
He didn't! And l don't want him
changed an atom!" Mrs. Foster pouted.
"Ah, SO you manage him through his
vanity" Winston leased, with the free
dom Of an old friend.
"I.never have to manage himl" she
retorted. you can ask Helen"
A ripple Of emotion swept his face
as he said: Your cousin, you mean,
Miss Sears-or, is she married also?"
Everybody isn't married because
am" she repeated slyly.
But l supposed that she was"
Helen seems proof against the
GERM Mrs Foster said absently. She
was examining his face with an as
pect of alarmed surprise. Suddenly
she cried: Dudley Winston! was
there ever anything between you and
Helen?"
Excuse me. Mrs. Foster, we will
not drag defunct past out of its
grave" he replied coldly.
Conviction seized her. "Ohl oh!
and l never dreamed!-Dudley you
Helen is here. l must see her in
stantly!"
She whirled away, leaving him star
ing. In few moments she whirled
back, her excitement boiling. "Helens
gone!" she shrieked.
We'll. that's polite" Foster growled.
"She came especially for the dinner.
You must have offended her, though
Helen isn't touchy as a usual thing"
Il didn't" Mrs. Foster denied, vehe-
mently. And she isn't offended. She
says she has suddenly made up her
mind at once to start on that visit"
consulting the note in her hand.
THAT visit is an old matter; 1t must
be something you said or did"
Lucy gazed about distractedly try
ing to remember. II asked her to
wear her amber gown. She is so love
ly in 1t, and-oh, yes, told her Dud-
ley was coming. Oh! oh! that must
be it," Her eyes widened with horri-
fed certainty
Winston, who had grown white,
grasped her wrist, demanding: why
should you think my coming affect.
ed your cousin? Mrs. Foster!-Lucy!
tell mel"
II cant-not you'll I'll see Helen"
she fluttered.
Lucy" Winston took the old famll-
lar ground unconsciously, 81 gather
that you think you did something that
caused a Misunderstanding between
Helen and myself; you must be mis-
taken; there was never an under
standing-only a hope on my part
and at one time | thought-but
must have been misled by my feel
ings."
"Oh, / am sure!-though | was 80
dense that never-I'll see Helen, and
make 1t right"
His excitement suddenly blazed. IL
don't understand you. I've borne hope
lessness-I thought her lost to mel
can't bear suspense! Your manner
suggests-I know not what can't
walt! Come with me to her now, at
once!"
Lucy made a tragic gesture, which
included In one sweep her billowy
gown, bare arms and shoulders and
deliberately dressed hair.
Winston did not even see 1t. He had
rushed to the hall, and was back with
his hat and cape he had
snatched from the rack. Gomez" he
commanded.
But my guests!-the dinner partyl"
she shrilled.
"Oh, you'll be back" Foster as
sured her, grinning his delight. and
II you're late I'll apologize, and ex-
plain that you're doing penance for
your sins. That1l amuse them; most
Of them know you'll"
Harry Foster, II you darel"
Gomez" Winston hailed a pass
ing cab, and hurried her away.
Wait till see II she is here" he
advised as they drew up at the Sears
home.
"Oh, yes, and can go straight
back" Lucy exclaimed.
H.
In a few seconds he dashed out,
gave some directions to cabby,
sprang in and turned to her, saying:
II am sorry, but you'll have to go on
with me. She is to call at her sis
ter's; we may catch her there"
The cab was tearing along at a rate
that indicated large extra by way of
incentive.
"Oh, but l can't go all the way to
Marie's! must get home, please,
Dudley" she begged.
II am panied to be obliged to re-
fuse your request" he said politely.
She muttered an opinion OF him and
his conduct which was anything but
polite. Only the stubbornness of the
cabman prevented her running away
,,,htIo Winston Uaa intarutautno a,