Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1915-01-09


to take too much pains to hide it"
But. for friend. isn't that
-Oh, you can't understand Or
won't" she amended bitterly You've
no conception OF the pride a woman
likes to have in her home. OF course,
she looked down on this. Anybody
would"
we used to think 1t mighty fine. In
Bethel we never dreamed of anything
SO good
You didn't. But 1 did," she re-
torted Besides, we aren't In Bethel
now. We're here and growing rich.
And we ought to live like the rest of
our kind"
-Just what is our kind, Unity7'
IF you didn't have me to give you
ambition, we'd still be homely dowdy
nobodies."
Then we are somebodies?"
We can be- We're going to be-"
She sat up suddenly, her thin lips
tightening Mark, we must-we SIM
ply must-move. We can afford 1t, I
know"
Yes, we can do it" He made q
gesture of resignation But 1t viii
clean me out of ready cash"
You can make MORE" said Unity
negligently. You're so clever at that.
And besides, what's the use of having
money IL It doesn't buy the things we
want?"
For one thing" he smiled grimly,
Il can't get insurance, and men have
been known to die and leave their
widows penniless. However" he rose
with an evident effort, we've gone
over all this hundred times. I'll see-"
Yielding was in his voice.
She fell back into her languid grace
full pose. She gave him her very
sweetest smile. which she meant to
seem lovingly grateful He saw in it
only triumph.
You can be such a deari" she
purred. I'm SO proud of youi And
now you'd better hurry and dress. You
know the Higsbees are coming for
dinner"
He repressed an oath. I'D forgot
ten." And he limped heavily from the
room.
In his own room he dropped on the
bed, yielding for brief interval to
the pain and weakness of which it
was his pride never to give a sign
before others.
He descended barely In time to join
Unity in greeting their guests
He did not see a deeper vanity in
his feeling of superiority over his
guests. Higsbee was a big beefy man,
red of countenance and with raucous
voice that grated on Marks nerves.
He was rough, not to say boisterous,
in manner. and his notion of wit was
yelled smuttiness-essays to which
Unity, Incompatible hostessl paid the
perfect compliment of shocked laugh
and a blush
The dinner was well cooked and
served, which was not always true
when the FRUITS dined alone Mark
ate sparingly, the while eying covet-
ous1y the yiands with which he dared
not indulge himself. He talked little,
neither Higsbee's coarse daring nor
the ladies' light gossip of plays, latest
books and mutual acquaintances-
especially of mutual acquaintances-
being fields in which he felt at home.
But he was secretly much amused
when to Unity's casual mention of
Mrs. Henley's call, Mrs. Higsbee re-
piled with the invidious suggestion
that Mrs. Henley was a good deal of
snob. And when Unity countered
sweetly, do you think SO? L haven't
found her So" he chuckled aloud.
He explained the chuckle. "One
mustn't look gift horse In the
mouth" At which crude remark Higs-
bee guffawed, Mrs. Higsbee Uttered
maliciously and Unity looked panied.
All three had a suspicion of what he
knew-that Mrs. Henley's call had
been under orders, a gift from Henley.
Later he smoked. slowly and very
appreciatively. mild cigar, which
lasted until Higsbee had consumed the
second.
How" Higsbee asked once, INTACT
fully. did you get Henley to send his
wife around?"
Mark resented the question. Il
didn't get him to-
Nor Higsbee looked bit incred-
ulous. We'll. you certainly do stand
well with him. Say. IL you get a
chance. I wish you'd drop him a hint
that we'd be glad to have her CALI
I'm afraid" Mark said coldly, Hen
ley isn't a man to take that sort of
q hint kindly"
Il wish you would" Higsbee urged.
Mrs. H. is crazy for 1t. And reckon -
he laughed lumberingly, the best way
Is to get a woman what she wants.
It's comfortablest, anyhow"
4 haven't found 1t So" Mark lied.
adopting Unity's tactics, and promptly
changed the subject
But at last the Higsbees left
Thank heaveni" exclaimed Mark.
of the best labor handlers in the coun-
tryi"
.Bourgeoisl" Unity gave a shrug