The Prescott daily news., 1918-04-09

reasons might have been sufficient. But she realized how those who knew her would take it. what cause they would ascribe. It did not matter, though. The very worst, she reasoned could not be so bad as what had al- ready happened-could be no more dis agreeable than the things she had en- dured in the past two weeks. Losing a position was trife. But 1t set her thinking again.
 She stopped at news stand and bought the evening papers. Up in the top rack of the stand the big heads of an assorted lot of Western papers caught her eye. She bought two or three on the impulse of the moment, without any definite purpose except to look them over out of mere curi- osity. With these tucked under her arm, she turned into the boarding house gate, ran up the steps, and, upon opening the door, her ears were glad dened by the first friendly voice she had heard-it seemed to her-in ages, voice withal that she had least ex- pected to hear. A short. plump woman rushed out of the parlor. and precipi- sated herself bodily upon Hazel.
 kitty Ryanl Where in the wide, wide world did you come from? ?" Hazel cried.
 From the United States and every where," Miss Ryan replied. "Take me up to your room, dear, where we can talk our heads off.
 And, furthermore, Hazie, I'll be pleased to have you address me as Mrs. Brooks, my dear young woman," the plump lady laughed, as she settled herself in chair in Hazel's room.
 "SO you're married? Hazel said.
 Il am that" Mrs. Kitty responded emphatically, ito the best boy that ever drew breath. And so should you be, dear girl. I don't see how you've escaped so long-a good-looking girl like you. The boys were always crazy after you. There's nothing like hay ing q good man to take care of you, dear"
 Heaven save me from them!" Ha- gel answered bitterly. If you've got one you're lucky. I can't see them as anything but self-centered, arrogant, treacherous brutes."
 Lord bless us-it's worse than thought" Kitty jumped up and threw her arms around Hazel. 'There, there-don't waste tear on them. know all about It. I came over to see you just as soon as some of the girls nasty little cats they are; woman's always meaner than a man, dear-just as soon as they gave me an inkling of how things were going with you. Pshaw The worlds full of good de- cent feiiows-ani you've got one com ing"
 If you'd had my experience of the last two weeks you'd sing different tune," Hazel vehemently declared. "I hate-I-"
 And then she gave way, and in- dulged in the luxury of turning herself loose on Kitty's shoulder. Presently she was able to wipe her eyes and re- late the whole story from the Sunday Mir. Bush stopped and spoke to her in the park down to that evening.
 Kitty nodded understandingly. But the girls have handed it to you worse than the men, Hazel" she observed sagely. "Jack Barrow was just plain crazy jealous, and man like that can't help acting as he did. You're really fortunate, think. because you'd not be really happy with man like that. But the girls that you and I grew up with-they should have stood by you, knowing you as they did; yet you see they were ready to think the worst of you. They nearly always do when there's man in the case. That's a weakness of our sex, dear. We'll, you aren't working. Come and stay with me. Hubby's got two-year con- tract with the World Advertising com pany. We'll be located here that long at least. Come and stay with us"
 "Oh, no, couldn't think of that, I'd love to, and it's awfully good of you, but think I'm just about ready to go away from Granville"
 Well, come and stop with us till you do go," Kitty insisted. "We are going to take n furnished cottage for while. Though, between you and me. dear knowing people as I do, I can't blame you for wanting to be where their nasty tongues can't wound you"
 But Hazel was obdurate. She would not inflict herself on the one friend she had left. And Kitty, after a short talk, berated her affectionately for