The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-03-02

Sne LOOKS real, Daddy. snail l
pinch her and find out?"
II wouldn't. I'll come and find out
for myself, There was a rustic of
leaves, and Mary Hilton raised her
eyes to Billy Warren's face.
She did not move, and the child,
with steadily advancing fingers, again
asked: "Shall 1 pinch her, daddyT"
He did not reply. Instead he drew
his hand across his eyes as if un-
certain as to the reality. When he did
speak his voice was sadly unsteady.
"Thank God! Hereafter l shall al
ways believe in prayer"
Mary looked at him thoughtfully.
you have been praying, and 1 am an
answer to your prayer? In what way,
especially"
lou have come"
"You wanted me?"
ayes"
"Then why did you not come 20 A p
81 want help. l could not ask for it
unless as a last resort. offered, it is
different"
"And you think 1 will offer it?'
Judging from your goodness to the
mountain people. You give comfort to
them"
THAT is different. They are poor.
In my humble way, l give help where
it is needed. Years ago l took a course
Of training in an eastern hospital. 1t
has stood me in good stead in my life
here. But my work does not approach
yours. You are a p~hysician?"
"An army surgeon, retired on &C.
count of ill health, which l have re-
gained on the mountain. You know
what hat means at this time. / am
ordered to Fort O~glethorpe by the
10th. That leaves me but two days,
and I feared l would have to ask for
that which 1 hope will be offered"
"And that is?"
His gesture toward the child was
eloquent. II am all she has"
"If 1 do this thing, do you surrender
her entirely, or will you claim her
upon your return?"
His eyes held hers with an express
sion quickly yelled. Il will not re-
turn"
Il do not quite understand" she re-
piled slowly. 1--WE are strangers. You
must have friends who would gladly
do this for you"
Eyes, but l would choose you from
all the world"
There was a certain controlled emo
ton in his voice that affected her
strangely, and she rose to her feet.
again l say that 1 do not under
stand"
THAT is natural" He walked the
length of the level in front of the
cabin and back. upon the eve of a
great upheaval a man can allow him
self a certain latitude of expression,
especially when he knows it can do no
HARM" he said gravely. II do not ex-
pect to return. Because l am con
WINGED of this, l can say to you what
under other circumstances would be
little short of impotence, for, as
you say, we are strangers. But l be-
gan to care for you when you first
came to the mountain. l want you to
know this, and to believe it. 1 could
not let you know before. My wife
I do not wish to speak of her. She is
dead, and l offer you not affront when
l tell you that I love you. 1t is be-
cause of this l wish TO leave Betty in
your care"
With troubled eyes Mary looked to-
ward the child. 81 did not imagine
this"
"How could you? My effort has
been to keep you from knowing. VIII
you do this for me, now that you do
know? 1t will be my comfort when
ms time comes, over there" He
turned from her, looking out into the
iimitless space. "It will be my com
fort" he repeated.
why are you so sure you will not
return?"
''There would be no incentive, with
Betty cared for"
Then it, was that Mary surprised
herself by saying deliberately. "Mr.
Warren if told you that my inter-
est"
Interest! / would want something
more than interest" he interrupted.
would that not do for the p~resent?"
mo. 1t must be something more
definite"
For long she hesitated, then said
steadily. 81 think it is more than
interest. I am not sure. But if an
overwhelming anxiety for your safe
return is an evidence of a deeper feel
ing, it is yours"
He took her hand, raising it to his
lips. TN that case, Mary Hilton, God
willing, 1 will return. to you and
Betty"