Judsonia weekly advance., 1918-02-20
We would be pleased to publish your

1 We would be pleased to publish your side of the matter"
 q have no statement to make," Ha- gel said coolly. "I am not in the least concerned with what the papers print or what the people say. I absolutely refuse to discuss the matter"
 Grinell continued to point out-wfth the persistence and persuasive logic of good newspaper man bent on learn- ing what his paper wants to know the desirability of her giving forth a statement. And in the midst of his argument Hazel bade him a curt "good evening" and walked on. Barrow kept step with her. Grinell gave 1t up for bad job, evidently, for he turned back.
 They walked five blocks without a word. Hazel glanced at Barrow now and then, and observed with an uncom- fortable sinking of the heart that he was sullen, openly resentful, suspi- cious.
 "Johnnie-boy," she said suddenly, "dont look so cross. Surely you don't blame me because MT. Bush wills me u sum of money in way that makes people wonder?"
 'T can't understand 1t at all," he said slowly. "It's very peculiar-and deucedly unpleasant. Why should he leave you money at all? And why should he word the will as he didf What wrong did he ever do youT
 "None," Hazel answered shortly. His tone wounded her, cut her deep, so eloquent was it of distrust. '"The only wrong he has done me lies in willing me that money as he did"
 "But there's an explanation fc that" Barrow declared moodil ''There's key to the mystery, and if anybody has 1t you have. What is it?"
 "Jack," Hazel pleaded, "don't take that tone with me. I can't stand it-I won't. I'm not a little child to be scolded and browbeaten. This morn- ing when you telephoned you were al- most insulting, and 1t hurt me dread- fully. You're angry now, and suspi- cious. You seem to think must have done some dreadful thing. I know what you're thinking. The Gazette hinted at some affair between me and MT. Bush; that possibly that was a sort of left-handed reparation for ru- ming me. If that didn't make me an- gry, it would amuse me-it's so absurd. Haven't you any faith in me at all? haven't done anything to be ashamed of. I've got nothing to conceal"
 Don't conceal 1t, then," Barrow muttered sulkily. i've got right to know whatever there is to know if I'm going to marry you. You don't seem to have any idea what this sort of talk that's going around means to a man."
 Hazel stopped short and faced him. Her heart pounded sickeningly, and hurt pride and rising anger choked her for an instant. But she managed to speak calmly, perhaps with added calmness by reason of the struggle she was compelled to make for self- control.
 "If you are going to marry me-" she repeated, "you have got right to know all there Is to know. Have ! refused to explain7 I haven't had much chance to explain yet. Have ' refused to tell you anything7 Would any reasonable explanation make an impression on you in your present frame of mind. I don't want to marry you if you can't trust me. Why. ! couldn't-I wouldn't-marry you any time, or any place, under those cons ditions, no matter how much I may foolishly care for you"
 "There's just one thing, Hazel" Bar. row persisted stubbornly. "There must have been something between you and Bush. You're nc helping yourself by getting on your dignity and talking | about my not trusting you, instead of explaining these things"
 "A short time ago." Hazel told him quietly, "Mr. Bush asked me to marry him. I refused, of course. He"
 "You refusedw Barrow interrupted cynically. Most girls would have jumped at the chance"
 "Jack!' she protested.
 "Well," Barrow defended, Inc was almost millionaire, and I've got noth- ing but my hands and my brain. But suppose you did refuse him. How doea that account for the five thousand dol. lars?"
 "I think" Hazel flung back passion ately, "T'll let you find that out for yourself. You've said enough now to make me hate you almost. Your very manners an insult"