The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-07-17


What puzzles me is that she always
seems disappointed when there's moth
ing in the post from him. and here's
a cabIegram that might be the very
thing she's looking for and she pays
no attention to it II certainly beats
me"
You know what puzzles me more
than anything else? I've said il a
hundred times She never goes outside
this house-except in the garden-day
or night You'd think she was an in
valid-or afraid of detectives or some
thing like that God knows she amt
a sick woman never saw a healthier
one. Rain or shine, winter OF summer
she walks up and down that courtyard
till you'd think she'd wear a path in
the stones Eats like a soldier. laughs
like kid, and I'll bet she sleeps like
one, she's so fresh and bright-eyed in
the morning
We'll, I've got this to say, Joe
! Riggs: she has been uncommonly de-
cent to you after the way you used
to treat her when she first came here
She's made you feel everlastingly
| ashamed OF your idiotic behavior
4 beg your pardon. Danbury," ex-
claimed AIT. Riggs, striking the table
with his bony knuckles so violently
that the books and magazines bounced
into the air Don't you ever say any
thing like that again to me. It's
! against the rules for me to call you a
scoundrelly liar or I'd do it in a sec
ond."
For your sake, sir, I'm glad it's
against the rules said Mr.. Dawes.
| iercely- I'm mighty glad"
Mr. Riggs allowed a sheepish grin
to steal over his wrinkled visage. q
apologize, Danbury."
And so do L" said his friend, where
upon they shook hands with great cor
/ diality-as they did at least a dozen
! times day since the beginning of the
new regime.
She's the finest, loveliest woman on
EARTH said Mr.. Riggs
81 never knew 1 could be so happy
as I've been during the past six
months. Why, this house is like a bird
cage filed with canaries- I some
/ times feel like singing my head off
and as for whistlingi I haven't whis-
! tied for years till now. L"
'Shi" Kissed Mr. Riggs, suddenly
| backing away from the table and try
! ing to affect an unconcerned examina-
| ton OF worn spot in the rug.
Mrs Brood was descending the
stairs, lightly, eagerly. In another in
/ slant she entered the room
How nice the fire looks" she cried
crossing the room. Never had she
been more radiantly, seductively beau
/ tiful than at this very instant MY
| ablegram-where is it?"
The old men made q simultaneous
| dash for the long-neglected envelope
Mr.. Dawes. being fat and aggressive
succeeded in being the first to clutch
it in his eager fingers
Better read it, Mrs. Brood" he
painted, thrusting it into her hand
Maybe it's bad news"
She regarded him with one Of her
most mysterious smiles NO, my
friend, it is not bad news 1t is good
news. It is from my husband"
But you haven't read it." gasped
Mr.. Riggs.
"Ah, but I know, Just the same" She
| deliberately slit the envelope with a
slim finger and held it out TO them.
Read it if you like
They solemnly shook their heads
too amazed for words She unfolded
the sheet and sent her eyes swiftly
over the printed contents. Then, tC
their further stupefaction she pressed
the bit, of paper to her red lips. Hel
eyes flashed like diamonds
Listen! Here is what it says:
Come by the first steamer. want
you to come to me, Therese.' And see!
| 1t is signed Your husband
"Hurray!" shouted the two old men
But" she said, shaking her head
slowly, CT shall not obey"
What You-you won't go?'
gasped Mr.. Riggs
mol" she cried, the ring of tri
umph in her voice. She suddenly
clapped her hands to her breast and
uttered long, deep sigh Of Joy. mo
I shall not go to him."
| The cid men stared helpIessIy while
she sank luxuriously into a chair and
stuck her little feet out to the fire
| They felt their knees grow weak un.
der the weight of their suddenly inert
| bodies
But, Mrs Brood, he wants you'll"
came almost in a groan from the lips
Of Mr.. Riggs
She lighted cigarette. eff he wants
me, Mr.. Riggs, let him come and get
me-" she said sending long cloud OF
smoke toward the ceiling as she lay
back in the chair and crossed hel
feet in absolute, utter contentment
He will come, my dear old friends
oh. I am sure that he will come"
''You-you don't know him. Mrs
Brood" lamented Mr.. Dawes. He's
made Of steel. He"
He will come and unlock the door
Mr.. Dawes" said she, serenely- He is
also made Of flesh and blood The
steel you speak Of was in his heart Il
has been Withdrawn at last Ny friends
he viii come and get me-Tery soon
Ring for Jones, please"
'Wha-what are you going to dO?'
Mr.. Dawes had the temerity to ask.
Send a cablegram to my husband
saying" She paused to smile at the
flaming logs, a sweet, rapturous smile