The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-01-01

Into his eyes came that troubled look
which nowadays they sometimes wore.
Il reckon it wouldn't hardly be hon.
est for me TO come I've told ye I
don't think the thing Will do no good"
He was looking at her and his hands
slowly clenched- Her beauty. with the
enthusiasm lighting her eyes, made
him feel like a man whose thirst was
killing him and who gazed at a clear
/ spring beyond his reach-or. like the
caravan driver whose sight is tortured
! by a mirage He drew a long breath.
then added:
| I've got another reason an a
stronger one for not comm over there
very often. Any time We wants me for
| anything reckon ye knows I'll come"
What is your reason?" she demand
ed.
4 amt never been much Interested
| in any woman" He held her eyes so
directly that a warm color suddenly
| flooded her cheeks, then he went on
with naked honesty and an uncon-
cealed bitterness OF heart: When /
puts myself in the way of hayin' to
| love one. III pick woman that won't
have to be ashamed of me-sOme
mountain woman"
For an instant she stared at him in
establishment. then she exclaimed:
Ashamed of youl l don't think any
woman would be ashamed of you, MIR.
Havey." but. recognizing that her voice
had been overserious, she laughed. and
once more her eyes danced with gay
mischief
Don't be afraid of me- III promise
not TO make love to you"
I'm obleeged." he said slowly.
That amt what I'm skeered of. I'm
afraid We couldn't hardly stop me from
/ maxim love TO you"
He paused. and the badinage left
| her eyes.
Mr.. Havey," she said with great
seriousness, I'm glad you said that.
1t gives US a chance to start honestly.
as all true friendship should start In
! some things any woman is wiser than
any man. You won't fall in love with
me. You thought you were going to
hate me. but you don't"
God knows I don't" he ferceiy in
| terrupted her.
Neither will you fall in Ioye with
me. You told me once of your superior
age and wisdom. but in some things
| you are still a boy. You are a very
1 lonely boy, too-a boy with a heart
hungry for companionship. You have
| had friends only in bOoks-comrade-
ship only in dreams. You have lived
down there in that old prison of a
/ house with sword OF Damocles hang
ing always over your head Because
we have been in way congenial, you
| ger of love"
Danger of loveI He knew that It
| had gone past a mere danger, and his
! eyes for a moment must have shown
| that he realized its hopelessness. but
Juanita shook her head and went on:
Don't do it 1t would be a pity I'm
rather hungry. too, for a friend; /
! don't mean for a friend in my work,
but a friend in my life. Can't We be
| friends like that?"
She stood looking into his eyes. and
| slowly the drawn look of gravity left
his face.
He had always thought quickly and
| dared to face realities. He was now
I facing his hardest reality. He loved
her with utter hopelessness- Her eyes
| told him that il must always be just
/ that way. and yet she had appealed TO
| him-she had said she needed his
/ friendship To call it love would make
! IL necessary for her to decline it
| Henceforth life for Anse Havey was
/ to mean a heartache, but If she want
ed his allegiance she might call il
/ what she would Il was hers
Swiftly he vowed in his heart to set
a seal on his lips and play the part she
| had assigned to him
I'm right glad ye said that" he an
| sured her. i reckon ye're right l
friends. Ye see. as 1 said. didn't know
much about womenfolks. an because
liked ye l was worried"
She nodded, Understandings.
/ Suddenly he bent forward and his
words broke impetuOusly from his
lips
do We low TO marry that man Nal
coIm?" He came a step toward her.
! then raising his hand swiftly, he add
| ed: "No-don't answer that question:
| That's your business l didn't have no
! license to ask Besides. | don't want
We to answer it"
/. Its a bargain. isn't it?" she smiled
! Whenever you get lonely over there
I by yourself and find that Hamlet isn't
as lively a companion as you want.
OF that Alexander the Great is a little
too fond of himself. or Napoleon is
overmoody. come over here and well
I try TO cheer each other up"
i reckon" he said with an answer
ing smile. I'm liable TO feel that way
tonight, but amt comm to learn civil
! Hzation. I'm just comm to see you"
CTO BE CONTINUED