Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1918-03-14

together and want to shake him.
Grinell by then was hurrying up
with long strides. Hat in hand, he
bowed to her. Miss Hazel Weir.
believer he INTERCEPTED.
YES" she confirmed.
I'm on the Times, Miss WEIR
Grineu went straight to the business in
hand. You are aware, i presume,
that Mr.. Andrew Bush willed you a
sum of money under rather peculiar
conditions-that is, the bequest was
worded in a peculiar way. Probably
you have seen a reference to it in the
papers. 1t has caused a great deal of
interest. The Times would be pleased
to have statement from you which
will tend to set at rest the curiosity of
the public. Some of the other papers
have INDUCED in unpleasant innuendo.
We would be pleased to publish your
side of the matter"
81 have no statement to make" Ha-
eel said coolly. 81 am not in the least
concerned with what the papers print
or whaA the people say. I absolutely
refuse 60 discuss the matter"
GrinelI continued to point out-with
the persistence and persuasive logic of
a 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 babe him curt ''good
evening" and walked on. Barrow kept
step with her. Grinen gave it up for
a 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-
Portable sinking of the heart that he
was sullen, openly reSentfui, suspi-
cious.
"Johnnie-boy," she said suddenly,
don't look SO cross. Surely you don't
blame me because Mr.. Bush wills me a
sum OF money in way that makes
people wonder?''
II can't understand it at ALL" he
said slowly. Its very peculfar-and
deucedly unpleasant. Why should he
leave you money at all? And why
should he word the will as he did?
What wrong did he ever do your"
"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 for
that" Barrow declared modify.
There's key to the mystery, and if
anybody has it you have. What is it?''
Jack Hazel pleaded, "don't take
that tone with me. I can't stand it,
won't. I'm not little child to be
scolded and browbeaten. This morn
ing when you telephoned you were al
most insulting, and it 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
limited at some affair between me and
Mr.. Bush; that possibly that was a
sort of left-handed reparation for ru-
lining me. If that didn't make me an
CRY, it would amuse me-it's so absurd.
| Haven't you any faith in me at all? I
| haven't done anything to be ashamed
| of. I've got nothing to conceal"
Don't conceal it, then,' Barrow
| muttered sulkily. "Ive got a right L
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
| LUZ Ill lASldnC. buL she managed TO
speak calmly. perhaps with added
calmness by reason of the struggle
she was compelled to make for self
| control.
eff you are going to marry me-" she
repeated. you have got right to
know all there is to know. Have !
refused to explain? I haven't had
much chance &c explain yet. Have ]
refused to tell you aSyytbing? Would
any reasonable explanation rake 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 wouldnt-marry you any
time, or any place, under those con-
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 not 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. refused. of course. He"
you refused !" Barrow interrupted
cynfcally. Most girls would have
| jumped at the chance"
Jack! 7" she protested.
"Well." Barrow defended, 'he was
| almost a millionaire, and I've got moth