The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-14

de We're, paid and dismissed q mildly
intoxicated cabman, tEailed an unmis-
takably Partisan froek along the
crimson carpet, and ran the gauntlet
of more magnificent beings In livery.
A moment later she found herself
alone In a crowd and awake to her
Iniquity. Now that she stopped to
think, the thing was horrible, an Of
Tense against every law of good breed
ing. She must escape. Panic descended
and, at that moment, pleasant
masculine voice draEled into her
ear, Awful crush, isn't it2"
Priscilla gave a little gasp of terror.
Guilt was written upon every line of
her face, but the man with the admir-
ing eyes did not seem to notice her
dismay.
Lady Mary makes an attractive
bride" he was saying when the cul-
prIt regained her self-possessiOn suf-
ficiently to listen "They say the old
Duke has been very keen about this
match He does look pleased, doesn't
he? Do you know, you are looking
bit tagged. Can get you anything?"
Faggedl" Frustrated was the more
adequate word; and yet-and yet
a returning JOY of life was making
itself felt In Priscilla's heart Had
she not said she would rather meet
a nice man than see the Abbey? Well,
she had not seen the Abbey; but here
was a man, and indications pointed to
his being "nice" Priscilla's spirits
rose. He seemed Like direct answer
to prayer; and, though undeserving, one
need not be unappreciative. And so
she smiled at him, deliberately, radi--
antly, fully realizing that he was not
bell boy nor waiter nor porter, quite
convinced that she would not be allowed
to tip him for service rendered He
caught the smile and exchanged an
other for it.
$50 hungry as that?" he asked
"Famished"
He took possession of her, steered
her through the crowd, found a seat
for her In 8 little morning room out
of the. confusion, and left her there
while he went on forage. She nestled
back comfortably among the cushions
and watched him hurryIng down the
hall. Even his back was hkable, such
q fine straight, broad-shouldered, capa-
bic sort of back. There was a man
who would get the best of whatever
lay beyond the dininG-rOom doors.
And yet there wss q theory that the
way of the transgressoF was hardI
Priscilla shook her head The way
OF the transgressoF, ike the descent
to Avernus, was easy; and so 1t seemed
Joyous, EIthaI.
The Nice Man was back IN q few
moments, bearing plumber that Jus
titled belief in him
''The best could do, short of telling
scores of England's noblest and reach
ing the buffet over their bodies" he
said gayiy.
at looks delicious," Priscilla muir
INJURED; but, unexpectedly, q scruple had
come out from under the anesthetie
which had overwhelmed It, with all
Of It's kind, and was assuring the hungry
young woman that she couldn't possibly
eat the food Of hosts who did not
even know her. When 1t came to
the breaking Of bread-weu, having
swallowed 3 camel, one ought not to
strain at 3 gnat; but every wrongdoer
draws q line somewhere Now, the
Nice Man was different He hadn't
actually been provided by the Duke.
There would be no mortal SIN against
the laws Of hospitality N sppfopTlsting
him, 50 long IS he himself was wiling
Apparently, the Nice Man had nc
curiosity In regard 70 the girls nAme
or home or friends That she had
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