The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-10-10
A LIFE COMPANION
BY HELEN A. ROBERTS.
Copyright, 1915, by the Mcclure Newspa
per Syndicate)

Copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure NeWspa-
per Syndicate)
"Wanted-Companion for young
lady. Must be well educated and have
best of references. Apply at 691 Ma
pie avenue, city
There" sighed Olive, as she read
the above advertisement I've got to
get a position, and I might as well
start and look for one now. I GER
tainly have had a good education. Mr..
Lawrence will give me a good letter OF
reference"
About six months previous to this
time, Olives father had died, leaving
her alone except for his old school
chum Ted Lawrence. He had left no
will and Olive, always supposed to
have been wealthy, had to find some
means of supporting herself. Some
of the town gossips had said that old
'"Ted' Lawrence had something to do
with it, but nothing further was said.
When Olive had shown Ted Law
renee the advertisement, he thought it
a fair place for girl of her standing,
so advised her to try for the position.
After a short talk with her adviser,
avenue. In answer to her ring at the
door, maid appeared and showed her
in to the lady of the house, who was
Miss Madison. Olive introduced her
self, and after a few minutes of con-
versation with Miss Madison, was
hired.
During the next six months, Olive
and her mistress Travelled Il great deal.
Then, suddenly, they packed up to
leave for home. Olives employer ex-
planned that her brother, who was in
training camp, was coming home for
a short furlOugh, and that she was go
ing to give a dinner in his honor.
Olive was somewhat happy, as she
would be able to visit many of her
old friends, and most of all, her old
friend, Ted Lawrence.
During the time that Miss MadisOn's
brother Ralph was home, Olive had
very little to do, as Miss Madison was
quite busy entertaining her brother.
The night of the dinner, Olive was
out walking on the large lawn that
surrounded the Madison home, and
she CHANGED to meet Miss Madison
and her brother. Of course, they were
introduced, and Ralph upon finding
that Olive was his sisters companion
(whom he had heard much of, insist
ed that she join them at dinner.
a few minutes later, as she was COM
ing down the stairs to go into the din
ing room, the maid handed her a tele-
gram. Looking first at the signature,
she saw that it was from Ted Law
- o&
earliest convenience" it read. Being
quite anxious to know what the tele
gram meant, she excused herself to
the hostess and left at once for the
Office. When she arrived there, he
quietly asked her TO sit down as he
had some good news for her.
"OIive, it was year ago today that
your father died, leaving a will in my
possession, not to be opened until one
year after his death. It leaves his en-
tire estate to you. Now, you will, Of
course, give up your position with the
Madisons."
Olive was happy and yet she was sad.
She was glad that she didn't have to
support herself any more, and yet she
didn't want to leave the AIadisOns.
The next day she informed her en-
ployer of what had taken place the
evening before. They were all glad
and yet they wanted her to stay with
them, as they had got to like her In the
short time that she had worked for
them. Olive thought it over and told
them that she would stay a few months
longer.
It was some six months before Ralph
came home again and still Olive was
In the employ of Miss Madison. Ralph
| and Olive had become quite good
friends and had been corresponding
with each other since the last time
Ralph was home. This time when he
came home it was Olive who was busy
entertaining him. One evening when
he was home he asked Olive to take
short walk out in the garden, and
just before they turned to come back
Olive told Ralph that she was going
to leave his sister. Olive was a little
| bit disappointed when Ralph didn't
say that he was sorry, or even try to
| induce her to stay, but on the contrary,
he looked happier, and turning square
around, faced Olive and said: 1--WE
been looking for companion for life
and you're the one want. How about