Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1918-01-15
A WISHING GAME

BY N. m'cvLLocH.wiLLIAms

way ven ever Get thlngS. Joe said
trying to speak lightly. but ,ailine
rather pitCously.
Leslie smiled softly. "YOu FIRST"
she said. Il have to be shown. you
know. Wish mc-what sou will"
"Ohl First, nm Easter bonnet. with
towering feather on IT," Joe half
chantcd. adding with grimace.
"Mlght as well Wish you a crown"
Got all the crown pine fora
martyrs" Leslie retortrd Then. with
little laugh: "Joe. You were made
for grandeurs. I wish on you Paris
frock-the last word OF fashlon-and
all that goes with II; a motorcar. Of
course, and. equally OF course. n hus-
band TO provide it."
"You generous personi" Joe cried.
standing on one foot and swinging the
other. For a moment she was a figure
of joy. all worries forgotten In the pic
ture Of her imaginary self. "Only
please wish the right husband. l
couldn't bare him II he was bald or
had face that sat propped on a dou-
ble chin"
Il must say you're over nice. Never
look glft-husband In the mouth" Les
lie flung back.
They thought themselves alone In
their aunt's house--a big house. beau
tifully furnished. with all save love.
She gave its shelter rather grudgingly
Co those children of her sister and her
brother
Through an open window came the |
Whit Of fine cigar: following IL. the |
slight stir Of one rising from a rather
creaky steamer chair. Joe started vio- |
lently. whispering: "The Sultan must |
be here! How did II happen. all un- |
known by usf'
"Came by alrplane most likely" Les
lie returned rs cautiously. "But I'm
wondering how long ago. Suppose
only suppose-he overheard!'
"Better death" Joe whispered. strik-
Ing an attitude, but giggllng too much
10 hold II. Cautiously the pair crept
into the wide hall, UP the stairs. down
a corridor. and at last won haven In
their own special wing. A tiny win
dow In it almost obscured by vines,
gave them a view OF the piazza out
side the library, where they had talked.
Yes, there sat the Sultan. otherwise
John Melton.
Easy mind here. He looks too
wooden for anything. II he heard. he
didn't understand" Joe commented,
putting down the glasses through
which she had surveyed him. "Fd
rather die n spinster-almost." Joe
said plalntiyely. She had the glasses
ngain. Through them the piazza show.
ed very n"9-. IIcncc she saw clearly
a dog. whining frothlng whlrllng. dart
round the angle Of IL and leap toward
the unsuspecting sitter. One, twice,
thrice the mad brute sprang. but Joe
saw only the first leap. With Leslie
at her heels she ran 10 the strangers
help. None too soon.
As they came upon him. he stood
tense. jaws set. hands locked about the
dogs throat, holding II away from him
with the strength OF giant.
Get sOmeth!ng-a blanket-thlcker
the better" he ordered over his shoul.
der at sound OF footsteps
Leslie darted To fetch heavy
steamer rug. Joe hunted cord-clothes- :
line. strong and flexible How she did
1t she never knew but In some fashion
II dangling moose Of the cord caught
over the snarling. strangling muzzle ,
and was deftly drawn taut. Then a
cast OF the robe made the creature
helpless. "Now, please. I'm very lone :
some. Won't you let me in the gamer" I
"You listened" Joe cried. I
Melton nodded. Nothing else F.,
could do" he said, almost plaintively.
"You know the doctrine OF necessity :
excuses almost anything"
"lf only we had known" Leslie mur- {
INJURED. I
A fortnight later he asked Joe 10 ,
marry him, and maryeled that she ,
turned as white as death while she
listened. When he waited her answer ]
she turned from him, walked the room I
length twice, then stopped dead. say. I
Ing you've made q mistake. You ,
don't want me-Leslle-" 49,
What Of herr Melton asked. ,,
Joe choked, but went on bravely:
Take her out Of all this. She is al
most mad from II. l want her 10 be
happy. No matter about me-"
"She shall be happy. We will not
leave her here. But you must take !
me- or that can't l.appen," Melton said ,
gaily.
Joe looked away. "She won't CO."
she said.
ASK her." Melton returned, smiling
whimsically. 4
And before Joe could speak there
was Leslie right behind her. saying
with happy tears:
Dear girl. Il is--all nghtr
Marching TO the Left
Soldiers when marching at night