The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-10-10
A WOMAN Halter
Copyright, 1913 by the Mcclure Newsps
per Syndicate.)
BY M. D. WHITNEY.

Dear Helen-It's no use, old girl.
You might as well leave me alone in
my blessed singleness'' and forget you
know me when your desire for match
making runs high.
You see, my dear sister-no kind Of
girl can interest me. You have tri6d
out every brand, all to no purpose
Horrors; shudder, yet every time
l think of that Smith girl with the
Daby face, watching my every move
with her adoring eyes. If had to
endure that longer than a week I'd
be dead one. And that vinegar
faced Miss Clapp, with her woman's
rights. My hair Is streaked with gray
today, as a result Of having her In
ficted on me for two days.
And Miss Munyon, the heiress-
Helen, where was your love for me
when you invited me to look after that
damsel for perfectly good week end?
Or was it your sweet way Of teach
ing me that all Is not gold that gilt
tiers.
Filled with apprehension on account
Of my many narrow escapes, must
decline your kind invitation for the
coming week end, and your newest
protege. Miss Longley, will have to
be thrust upon some other poor vic
tim.
How are the kiddos? VIII run down
to see them as soon as your guests
have gone, and 1 can venture forth in
safety.
By-by, sister mine-and pardon me
for being a happy confirmed bachelor.
Lovingly yours. BOB.
'Of all the conceIted, impossible, ex-
asperating brothers, Bob Thornton is
the worst" Helen Arnold threw the
letter into the hearth fire.
That afternoon in the telegraph Of
flee of the city, however, the same Bob
was doing a strange thing. He was &C
tually staring at a very pretty vision
in pink linen suit and large pink hat.
His thoughts were interrupted by the
young lady's voice. ST wish to send a
telegram, please. VIII you take it, to
Mrs. Helen Arnold, MountainvilIe, n.
HIP
"Great heavens" exclaimed Bob
''my sister Helen-wonder who she Isl
Needless to say, he waited anxiously
for the message.
Dear Helen" it ran. Cannot come
before six O'Clock train. VIII arrive
Mountainville about 80.
(Signed) ALICE LONGLEY."
'.Al1ce Longley = Bob Thornton,
you're a fool, and everything that goes
with IT." But without further reflection
he grasped a pad, and a second mes
sage was sent to his sister. "Have
changed my mind. VIII arrive $3.50
train. "BOB."
If she still bore any resentment for
BOb's first letter, she had ample re-
venge in the three days which fol-
lowed.
Bob was the devoted slave of Alice
Longley, who with her sweet, quiet
manner of refusing his every attention
nearly drove him mad When after
maneuvering for all he was worth to
accomplish it, he was finally chosen as
her escort for the bungalow party and
dance, he was happy for the first time
since his arrival.
But at the last moment the chiS
dren's maid received a call to come al
once to the bedside Of a dying sister,
and Mrs. Arnold did not know what to
do. She could not stay at home, since
she was the hostess of the occasion.
Much to BOb's dismay, Alice Longley
sweetly asked If she might stay with
the children. She would much prefer
it to going to the dance, and she knew
Mr.. Thornton would be glad to excuse
her, for-with a smile at Bob-there
were so many other girls who were
waiting to dance with him.
Ah0T1f
the party for the dance, Bob Thornton
returned disconsolate looking, and an
grily chewing the end Of an unlighted
cigar.
He found Alice sitting IN q big Il
brary chair-having put the young
sters TO sleep, mending pair Of tiny
socks.
She was very much surprised to see
him, and much more surprised, when
with a sudden movement he came for
ward and without a word, lifted her
In his arms from the big chair, and
kissed her soundly on either cheek.
There" he exclaimed, Snow I sup
pose you viii hate me worse than ever,
but just couldn't help it Miss Long
ley-Alice please forgive me-" as he
saw the look of panied Indignation in
her eyes-'T can only excuse myself,
by telling you the truth. I love you
how much only God knows, and when
1 came upon you suddenly, after a
miserable hour of longing for you
well please don't ask me TO explain
any more. Only tell me, dear-could
you, would you, let me try to make you
love me. Please give me a chance"
Alice LOngley's eyes were smiling
now, even though the lashes were wet.
Mr.. Thornton-Bob," she replied.
''you do not need a chance. 1 have
loved you from the first day-when I
saw you in the telegraph Office trying
In your clumsy mans way to disguise
your curiosity over my telegram. But
had been warned OF your heartless-
ness with women, and was determined
that you should not add my name to-
the list Of conquests."
What Bob Thornton replied to that
speech, and how the rest of that even
Ing was spent, can better be imagined
than described.
Mrs. Bob Thornton is a very happy