The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-05-05

but returned Immediately.
Impossible to send any message"
he reported 1.-The clerk saws the
instrument has been affected by a
thunderstorm this morning and there's
no communication with town at pre-
sent" He sprang into the dog-cart,
and In another moment was bowling
along the smooth white road with
Major Shmm, while the porter piled
the luggage onto the cart.
Onei two! threel four in went the
things A bundle of rugs not strapped,
seemed in danger of falling to pieces.
The porter tucked one loose end IN,
then looked closer, started, and ex-
claimed
''Oh, heavensl babyl'
"a WHAT" said the groom, coming
around from the horses head The
porter showed him glimpse of yellow
curls Just inside of one end Of the
bundle. The groom whistled.
How'd it get there?"
ITS q rum thing to find in any
gents luggage" said the porter; but
it's there right enough, just as l took
it out Of the carriage, and I'm not
going to interfere"
Then am to take it up to the Man
orr" asked the groom.
"Of course said the porter; d" faint
your business to ask about it, and
faint mine. Who ever 1t Is, 1t amt
nv kid, and l amt going to get 1t
showed onto me. I've six of my
own" He looked around. There was
no one about. There's no one seen 1t
but you and me. If you takes my
advise you'll shut your mouth, same
as me. l cleared that bundle out of
the carriage along of the other things,
and I'm bloomin' sorry / ever looked
inside It"
Its a rum GO" said the groom,
but l amt meaning to adopt of It,
so we'll both keep 1t dark"
The porter tucked the baby up, and
found it a secure position among the
other luggage, and watched the cart
out Of sight.
And the baby still slept profoundly.
Two miles of joIting up to the Manor
failed to disturb 1t, and 1t was carried
up with the other things into the
bachelors quarters at Benton Manor,
where 1t lay snugly IN a corner of Charlie
Soper's roOm-a Human Bomb.
When Charlie came I'D to dress he
was In high feather. Nellie had smiled
upon him, had blushed when they
met He almost fancied she had re-
turned the pressure Of his hand and
her fingers had certainly come into. con-
tact with his own IN the passing of
a teacup. Moreover she appeared
Indifferent to Major Slimm's very ap-
parent admiration.
He was feOd for reflection, for self
congratUlation and comPlaeeRey; they
fed freely and waxed fat.
Charles surroundings ministered to
his mood. The bright freight played
on the polished furniture, a couple
of lamps threw q more reliable light,
and In their mellow glow he preened
himself before the long cheEal-gl2ss.
He twisted his mustache, first I'D,
then down, and critically noted each
effect. He smoothed his glossy hair
with the palm of his hand Had he
been the Major he would have used
a handzmrror at this stage. and anx-
iously scanned the back OF his head
but Charles thatch was thick and
crisp, and no crown as vet looked out
ike rock at low water
Mr.. SOper's attention passed from
his head to his Hecktie- He heightened
the bows fastidieusIy, pulled his coat,
and craned to see the back effectl-
turned sideways to mark the beautiful
line IN the fall OF his trozlseT leg-
then suddenly looked at his watch.
and found he had only twenty minutes