The Kadoka press and Kadoka reporter. [volume] (Kadoka, S.D.) 1910-1923, 1918-01-25

with long strides. Rat in hand, hC
bowed to her. Miss Hazel Weir,
believe" he interrogated.
YES" she confirmed
Tin on the Time&, Mss Weir
Grinell went straight 10 the business IL
hand. You are aware / presume
that Mr.. Andrew Bush willed you a
sum Of money under rather peculiar
conditions-that is, the bequest was
worded in Il peculiar way. Probably
you have seen q reference 10 il In the
papers. 1t has caused a great deal of
interest. The Times would be pleased
to have a statement from you which
will tend 10 set at rest the curiosity OF
the public. Some of the other papers
have INDUCED in unpleasant innuendo
We would be pleased 10 publish your
side of the matter"
IL have no statement 10 make" Ha.
eel said cOolly. II am not in the least
concerned with what the papers print
or what the people say. l absolutely
refuse 10 discuss the matter
Grinell continued to point out-wlth
the persistence and persuasive logic of
good newspaper man bent on learn
ing what his paper wants to know
the desirabilty 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 it up for
bad job, evidently for he turned
| back.
They walked five blocks without q
word. Hazel glanced at Barrow now
and then, and observed with an uucom-
Portable sinking Of the heart that he
was sullen, openly resentful, 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 a way hat makes
people wondcr?"
Il can't understand il ut all" he
said slowly. ITS very peculiar-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 you?"
None" Hazel answered shortly. His
tone wounded her cut her deep, SO
eloquent was il 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 moodily.
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. can't stand it-I
won't. I'm not little child 10 be
Scolded and browbeaten. This morn.
ing when you telephoned you were al
| most insulting, and it hurt me dread
lully' You're angry now, and SuSpi-
cious. You seem to think l must have
done some dreadful thing. | know
what you're thinking. The Gazette
limited at some affair between me and
Mr.. Bush; that possibly that was
sort of left-handed rcparation for ru-
lining me. If that didn't make me an
cry, 1T would amuSe me-it'S so absurd.
haven't you any faith in me at all? |
haven't done anything to be ashamed
O'' " o'N li'illltlS 10 tbIlte II.
Don't conceal it, then" Barrow
muttercd sulkily. 1--WE got a Eight to
know whatever there is to ':now II
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
Il man."
Hazel stopped short and faced him.
Her heart pounded slckenlngly, and
hurt pride and rising anger choked her
for an instant. But she managed ia
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 q right to
know all there is to know. Have I
refused to explain? I haven't had
much chance to explain yet. Have
refused to tell you anything? 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 wouldn't-marry you any
time, or any place, under those con.
ditions. no matter how much l ,pay
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. l refused, Of course. He"
"You refused" Barrow interrupted
cynically. Most girls woulG have
Jumped at the chance"
"Jackw she protested.
well" Barrow defended. "he wns
almost a millionaire. and I've got moth
ing but my hands and my brain. But
suppose you did refuse him. How does
that account for the five thousand dol.
lars"
II think" Hazel flung back passion
ately. "I'll let you find that ont for
yourself. You've said enough now to
mako hatn ,,I,