The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-12-29
WHERE REASON RULES
BY HOPE AInsLIE.

c4A0s anu NC ucrl 10 De Idlucf 6Nttt
on each other. We both went TO the
same church and the academy, and !
suppose l did write letters to her, and
so on when / was seventeen OF
around there. Mother likes her and
she's always said I'd marry Betty.
Last year went after that concession
and met Mrs. Leonard. She loaned
her collection of Chinese porcelains
TO the exhibit and give you my word,
Uncle Ted, from the instant we looked
at each other | didn't give a rap
whether l ever saw Betty or any 9TH
er woman as long as lived"
Good locker, Jack?"
She's just divine" Jack spoke fer
vently, reyerently. She's been a wild.
ow for four years; married at nineteen
to brute"
All good-looking widows husbands
were brutes," murmured the major.
Go on"
That's all. | told her loved her
and she was giving me at least
chance until mother came out to Fris-
co and queered the whole thing. She
met Mrs. Leonard at Aunt Anna's, and
told her | was an impress.onable boy,
perfect slave to sympathy and all
that rot, always used to being petted,
etc. Finally showed her Betty's pic
ture as the little girl sweetheart back
East waiting for me to get through
my travels. You know the way she
can put thing over with that tons
Of her voice and her eyes. Well,
didn't have chance after she had
left. Dolores left for Santa Barbara
the next day"
'Humph,' unused the major. Now
she comes here. Did she know you
were with me at the Springs?"
No, sir. We haven't written"
We'll, | don't blame you, mind
Jackie. She's wonderfully attractive
woman. And you're twenty-six, you
know, old enough to toddle without
the maternal apron strings. | should
say, Lucia Is fine woman, good sis
ter to me, but still-what's this Betty
like?"
"Oh. she's all right" said JACK
vaguely.
There goes the widow" said the
major, suddenly leaning forward
Cad, she can ride!"
Jack vaulted the veranda rail and
made for the mounting stone to meet
the chestnut mare as she galloped W
the shore road His voice was Bit |
husky when he spoke to Mrs. Leonard
slim and erect in her black habit, heI
hair wind-blown around her face, heI |
eyes dark and evasive as he leaned
toward her.
Don't go in yet" he begged as the
boy took the bride. Il must speal
to you. You've avoided me ever since
you found was here. Dolores
Hush, Jack. Someone will heal
you, you foolish boy"
Don't call me a boy" he swung I
back miserably. I'm not. Come
along the pine road just a little way
You wouldn't speak to me hardly al
lunch. know you were sorry even
to see me here"
vi, nv was uOl. ~ Wdb q piCho
ant surprise, really 1t was, jack
"A pleasant surprise. 1t made me
perfectly mad to see you again"
The train service to Santa Bar.
bara Is quite regular" she said de
you wouldn't have seen me. You
left without a word. You believed ev-
cry last thing mother told you about
me and Betty"
did II"
'You cared, didn't you? Even though
you went away. Never mind Betty. ]
haven't thought of anyone in the
world but you for the last six months.
Uncle Ted took me under his wing and
brought me South because wasn't
At for anything else.'
She smiled, leaning forward as he
crushed her hands in his, and quoted
softly under her breath
had not dreamt that love would stay.
Yet here he fingers many day.
Don't go away from me again, Do
ores. ] swear I'll follow you this time
% the ends of the world F.
She laughed, her eyes brimful OF c
f
oh, Jack, Jack, why didn't you fol- @
ow me then If you really cared" :
The major came leisurely toward .
hem, the late afternoon mail in his
lands.
By George, Jack boy, here's news.
iood afternoon, Mrs. Leonard. Betty
roberts eloped with Batcheller Phil
ips Saturday"
Il know Betty" said Dolores gently
We are distant cousins, but she
writes to me"
Yes? Writes to Jack, too. should
ay. Here's one with return line on
/. Mrs. Batcheller Phillips, Wash
ngton, ID. c.. Hotel Grosvenor Break
he news to us, Jackie"
Jack opened the letter with frown,
nd then smiled. He handed it to Do
'res. 1t was typically Betty.
Dear Jack: | know what everyb6dy'H e
ay. and j don't care. I've always liked D.
a nd l., II Nv