The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-10-27
By John Luther Long

to find him. It had become a public
matter, too. The public had its rights.
1t expected him there, even if he had
to shed the blood of noses to stay there.
This had often happened. But he was
bewiidered in the contradictory courses
advised by his father, and, finally,
seeking that which seemed best, found
that which was worst. Dull Seffyl
He at last discovered Sam and found
a Judgment for himself opposite and
away down near the gate, where only
the married men were-sUch as still
waited for their wives-who amiahly
smoked until they came along. No I'm
married maiden ever expects to be
matched there. And, had Seffy been
as wise as he was not, he would not have
halted there. But he was de!uded by
Sam. There he was in the opposite
line, the wrong one, indifferently chat
ting, and even smoking, with Hilary
Groff-a married man. Seffy was now
so sure of his conquest, that Sans
indifference vexed him. Evidently he
did not mean to contend with him for
Saly's arm, and it was to be a cheap
and blOOdless victory. For Seffy was
one of those who grow brave as oppo-
sition 'iiminishes
And now they were slowly coming
dOwn-the maidens running the gaunt-
let Of love. wO-three-four-
flve-a dozen happy matings were
made. Seffy was counting. One poor
chap was sacked" He crushed his
hat over his eyes and charged back
through the lines and across the fields
no matter where. And then came
Sally!-in a trim little hat with a
fluttering ribbon that looked for all the
world like the white signal, bearing
straight down upon himl But there
was something in her eyes expectant-
mllltant-that made them starry On
she came, with her head In the air
looking neither to the right nor to the
left, as if she expected to walk home
alone, nearly three miles,
oh, mol" thought Seffy-and Sam
But a bit of terror smOte her face
pale when she had passed the door
alone and showed more and more as
she went on. Some one laughed-then
there was an unmistakable litter along
the line Still Sally passed on, keeping
her temper as never before Was not
the old man right about the effect of
laughter?
But now the temper loosed itself
slOwly-her face was scarlet. She had
nearly reached the married men. Some
one whispered:
GOSH He's Citing even by sacking
her %
This was repeated. There was more
laughter and more tItterIng- The crowd
deserted the lines nearest the church
and followed Sally down on either
side in huge tumultuous phalanxes to
see what would happen-if it were
possible that she would have to go
home alone. Several young men who
had never dared to approach her began
to think of it They knew that rather
than not be taken at all she would take
any one of theml There was more tumult
now than laughter. And Sally's face
grew so white that her eyes blazed like
stars IN the midst of it.
Seffy quailed. He recognized the
temper-only he had never seen 1t as
terrible as this. He had forgotten
Sam 1t was only Sally he saw, as one
sees with fear-stalled nerves the loco
motive as 1t leaps upon him
And the Onlookers, crowding at the
sides, thought it 8 great and terrible
hand to hand battle-to wait that way
till the last moment and then to spring
like tigers-or piece of tremendous
foolishness.
Z. Both of you must be absolute
sure" said Hilary Croft to Sam, cor
absolute foolsl Amt you got no pity
on the girl"