Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1915-05-01

Frederic, White Faced and ScowIina,
Remained at the Window.
frightened. darling It's all right
safe as"
'Oh. Freddy. Freddy" she walled.
breaking under a strain that he was
not by way of comprehending- "Oh,
Freddy, deari" Her nerves gave way
She was sobbing convulsively when
they came to the lower hall
In great distress, he clasped her in
his arms, mumbling incoherent words
of love. announcements ridicule
for the fear she betrayed. Far from
his mind was the real cause of her I'M
happy plight
He held her close to his breast and
there she sobbed and trembled as
with mighty, racking chill Her fin
gers clutched his arm with the grip
of one who clings to the edge of
precipice with death below. Her face
was buried against his shoulder.
You will come with me, Freddy"
she was whispering. clinging to him
as one in panic.
dy IL know everything is all right
now. I'm sure of IT."
ooh. I'm sure too, dear. 1 have al
ways been sure" she cried. and he
understood, as she had understood
Despite the protests of Jones, they
dashed out into the blightfng thun-
derstorm- The rain beat down in tor
rents. the din was Internal AS the
door closed behind them Lydia, in the
ecstasy of freedom from restraint Bit
terly imposed, gave vent to a shrill
cry of relief. Words, the meaning of
which he could not grasp, babbled
from her lips as they descended the
steps, One sentence fell vaguely clear
| from the others, and it puzzled him.
He was sure that she said: "Oh. 1 am
so glad, so happy we are out of that
house-you and l together
Close together, holding tightly to
each other, they breasted the whirling
| sheets of rain. The big umbrella was
of little protection to them, although
held manfully to break the force of
the cold food of waters They bent
| their strong young bodies against the
| wind, and a sort of wild, impish hilar-
| ity took possession of them 1t was
| freedom, after all. They were fighting
| a force in nature that they understood
and the sharp, staccato cries that
came from their lips were born of an
| exultant glee which neither of them
could have suppressed nor controlled
| Their hearts were as wild as the tenn
| pest about them
! Mrs. Desmond threw open the door
| as their wet, soggy feet came slosh-
! ing down the hall Frederic's arm
| was about Lydia as they approached.
| and both of their drenched faces were
| wreathed in smiles-gay. exalted
smiles. The mother, white-faced and
| fearful, stared for a second at the
amazing pair. and then held out her
| arms to them
She was drenched in their embrace.
No one thought of the havoc that was
| being created in that swift, impulsive
contact
Il must run back home,' exclaimed
| Frederic Lydia placed herself be-
tween him and the door
NO, / want you to stay she cried
He stared. What a funny idea,'
Wait until the rain is over" added
Mrs. Desmond
mo. no." cried Lydia Il mean for
him to stay here the rest of the night
We can put you up. Freddy IL
don't want you to go back there un-
til-until tomorrow"
A glad light broke in his face by
jove, do you know. I'd like to stay
Ill really would. Mrs Desmond Can
you find a place for mez" His yoics
| was eager, his eyes sparkling
YES" said the mother, quietly, al
most serenely- You shall have
: Lydia's bed. Frederic. She can come
in with me- Yes, you must stay ART
You not our Frederick
Thank you" be stammered. and his
: eyes fell
Il viii telephone to Jones when the
storm abates." said Ars- Desmond