The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-03-24

cepted sutton who is very much in
love and a bit uncertain of his con-
quest
He waited until Dupont went to
fetch the horses before he ventured
TO reopen the question Of questions:
Sweetheart, you've had time to think
it over and decide Tell me, when IS
to be the happy day?"
eyes" she murmured, ST have
thought it over"
''You viii name an early dateI" he
exclaimed. assured by the coy sweet
ness Of her look.
Her smile faded, and she dropped
forward in an attitude of humility that
he had never before seen her pride
permit She replied in a meek voice:
"Oh. no, mol I must do what is just
by you. Think what it would be like
for you to take back with you as your
wife quarterbreed girl straight of an
Indian reservation"
Vandervyn WINGED, rallied. and re-
joined with ardor: LET them think
what they please, so long as you are
my wifei''
'HThat is most gallant and-brave of
| y
also Pere"
Vandervyn bit his lip. NEED he
come along?"
| Marie looked up. her eyes full Of ten
der reproach.
81 did not think that of you, Reggie.
| How can leave him here alone? You
have never seemed to realize that 1
came back from Ottawa because 1
wished to be with him. Even before
went to convent 1 saw the traits in
him that you see, but also saw some
thing mOre-the man that he might
have been"
Don't imagine I'm asking you to
give him up" Vandervyn, FASTENED to
disclaim. "All suggest is that we
take our honeymoon trip alone"
"And leave Pere with no one TO cook
for him-leave him hereI Can't you
guess what would happen? Within a
week-a fortnight at the utmOst-he
would marry the youngest and best
cook within reach, a breed girl by pref
erence- most likely Charles sister"
Vandervyn WINGED as if cut across
the face with a whiplash.
''No-nOt herr" he stammered.
''That-it would be impossible. She
would be 1 tell you, I will not
stand for it cannot!"
'Of course that could not be per
mitted," sweetly agreed Marie. 81
would not care to come back and find
1 had acquired a stepmOther as young
or younger than myself-no, not even
if she were as clean and as good a
girl as IS Oinna Redbear."
'SThen you = think =" hesitated
Vandervyn
Listen. have thought and thought
and now have it all planned out
must do what is just by you, yet
as you see, 1 cannot leave Pere here
You may remember that I told you g
little about the English people knew
in Ottawa. When saw that you
thought 1 was romancing, I said nc
more except in hints. 1 really was
more intimate with Lady Verlaine
than you will find it easy to believe
Her son and daughters were already
married. She took a fancy to me
When was to come home, she invited
me to visit her in England. I haC
told her all about myself and Pere
We correspond regularly. She has re
newed her invitation more than once
The last time she insisted that
should come without further delay
and bring Pere with me-"
''She did?' exclaimed Vandervyn
''Then why not all three of US go to
getherw
Marie dropped again in her attitude
of meek humility.
''You are so generous, Reggie, to b'
willing to travel with PEREZ But
cannot allow you to make such a sac
rifice. No; there is a better way.
shall go alone with Pere to England
and then perhaps for a little visit tt
Paris with the sister of the mothe
superior of my convent. Pere ha
never forgotten his French-CanadiaI
dialect, and I have been tinkering
into fairly good French. A month o
two in Paris may correct his accent
1t may also smooth down our rough
nesses enough for us to venture owe
to Washington without putting you to-
greatly to shame before your friends.
'sTWo months all that time?" com
planned Vandervyn.
Indeed, no. 1t will be much longer,
answered the girl. 81 cannot permi
you to marry a mere agency girl. Be
CidoS if Poro docs NOT wish fO sol