The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-04-07


sat pretty Margaret Van Dyne in
mental state of aceentuated pensive-
ness.
Miss Van Dyne had an assured, fresh
beauty which did not in the least de-
pend upon the concession of a gown,
though she had the gown, too,-had
it on; and it was beautiful Also
she was waiting for her sweetheart,
Charles Lawler, nice chap and par
tlcularly well worth the waiting.
But Miss Van Dyne's face harbored
anything but that cOntentment which
convention demands of the situation.
2 For one thing her waiting was devoid
of waiting's most delicious flavor
that flavor of anxiety which gives
gambling charm to the period and
robs it of tedium. She was not a bit
anxious. She kneD he would come.
He had to. They were newly be-
trothed, so what else was possible for
him?-or for heri
Waiting with such dull surety is
less entertaining than irritating, and
Margaret painstakingly began to con-
slider herself neglected and to get furious
In proportion. She was not the kind
of girl who had ever been kept wait
ing a minute, nor was she in the least
the kind of girl who would ever be-
come used to it. She inclined to put
the blame upon her tagged and ticketed
condition.
81 wonder why in the world I ever
became engaged" she pondered, eye
ing with cool dislike the solitaire ring
on her finger. The diamond glowing
ike the heart of love sent back score
of fiery answering CLEANS.
No, he was not handsomer than
lot of other men-not so very much,
anyhow. And l did not crave ex-
citement. Heaven knows 1 didn't
need it. And / have plenty of dia-
mOnds; it wasn't that. Nor was it
rainy weather. l simply had no ex-
cuse. Well, it has certainly turned
out mistake. Now that | am en-
gagged, do not seem to be as valu-
able as formerly. Not to anybody.
Even the other men have dropped
their adoring speechlessness and talk
to me as condescendingly as if they
were my uncles. The boys used to
crawl around almost on their knees
for mere word Now they chat with
me casually when they please instead
of when / allow. And He is worse
than any of them"
She heard step in the corridor, and
Strengthened expectantly, but shrunk
listlessly again when she realized it
was Kitty, the maid.
Kitty, staggering under a heap of
carriage wraps, came to 3 standstill
in front of her young mistress, looking
primly expeetant.
Welt What" demanded Miss Van
Dyne, inconsequentially sharp. Who
ever intrudes upon grievance is never
remote enough from the cause TO escape
a singing.
81 thought, miss, that you dined
out" hesitated Kitty. Kitty was well
worth her wages. 1t takes the cleverest
kind of cleverness to know when to
be supposititious instead of certain.
g Dined out'-where2" demanded
Miss Van Dyne, indifferently refus-
ing to extricate her mind from the
pleasing anguish of revery-
At Mrs. Brierly's, miss"
The mere name of this honorable
hostess seemed to whip an angry
color into the face OF the expected
guest and to give edge to her tongue.
eI wasl but Pm neti" she cried
fiercely.
"Mrs. Brierly'sl" she thought as
she watched the imperturbable back
of the retreasing Kitty. That Is
where l met him first At a dinner,
too. / never want to see the place
again. l don't have to. There are