The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-11-13

she exclaimed: "Oh, daddy. why can't
you sell your practice and buy a
ranch? Wouldn't that be wonderfuI?'
''YOur mother might not see it that
way" he replied and her eyes fell.
Yes, that was the obstacle. She
would have to go back to the city and
talk by rule, and dress by rule, and
behave by rule, and be correct.
Its been a good time" the doctor
continued, when they had commenced
supper, "but I've already overstayed
my holiday. I feel I can travel now,
and my leg will be pretty strong by
the time l am back east. If Dave will
oblige US by going to town tomorrow
and bringing back some one who can
drive a car, we will be able to start
the following morning. 1 will just take
the car to town, and either sell it there
or ship it,
The following morning found Dave
early on the trail, leading a saddled
horse by his side. The hours were
leaden for the girl all that day and,
looking into the future, she saw the
specter of her life Swallowed down the
years by an unutterable loneliness.
How could she ever drop it all-all
this wild freedom, this boundless
health, this great outdoors, this life.
nfe-hoW could she drop it all and go
back into the little circle where con-
vention fenced out the tiniest alien
streamlet, although the circle itself
might lie deep in mire? And how
would she give up this boy who had
grown so imperceptibly but so init
mately into the very soul of her being
give him up with all his strength and
vfrilfty and, yes, and cOarseneSs, if you
will, but sincerity, toO-an essential
man, as God made HMM exchange
for a machine-made counterfeit with
the stamp of Society? Deeply did she
ponder these questions, and as the day
wore on she found. herself possessed
of a steadily growing determination
that she would not follow the beaten
trail let the by-paths lead where they
might
Darkness, save for a white moon,
had settled over the foothills when the
boy returned with another young man.
The stranger ate a ravenOus supper,
but was not too occupied to essay con-
versation with Irene. He chose to call
her cook.
''Swell pancakes, COOK was his
opening remark. "Can you find an
other for yours truly?"
She ref1lied his plate without an
swer.
USED to know a girl mighty like
you," he went on. Waitress in the
Royal Edward. Geei but she was
swelll A pippin! Glass? Say, she
had 'em all guessing. Had me guessing
myself for a while. But just for
while" He voiced these remarks with
an air of intense self-approval more
offensive than the words.
Irene felt the color rise about her
neck and cheeks and run like an over
flowing stream into her ears and about
her hair. It was evident that, for
second time, Dave had chosen to say
nothing to strangers about her pres
ence at the ranch. Her father and Mr..
Elden were in Dawes room; Dave had
stopped eating, and she saw the veins
rising in his clenched fists. But the
challenge was to her, and she would
accept 1t; she felt no need of his pro-
lection.
"FiI1 your stomach she said, pass
ing more pancakes; your head Is
hopeless
he attempted a laugh, but the meal
was finished In silence. The stranger
lit q cigarette and Irene went to the
door with Dave.
"Come for a walk" he whispered.
''The horses are tired, so let's walk.
=. It's our last chance"
She ran for her sweater and rejoined
him in a moment. They walked in
silence down a path through the fra
grant trees, but Dave turned from time
to time. to catch a glimpse of her face.
white and fine as ivory in the soft
light. He had much to say, but he was
tongue-tied under the spell of her
beauty.
you squelched him, all right" he
broke out, at length.
"Just in time, too, think" she re
piled. 81 was watching your hands"
He smiled quiet but very confident
smile ''Reenie," he said, ''that fellow
makes me sick. All the way out he
talked about girls. He's a city chap
an wears a white collar. but he amt
At to speak your name. Another min
ute an I'd "a had i'm by the neck"
He seized a spruce limb that stuck
across their path. It was the size of
stout stick. but he snapped 1t with a
turn of his wrist. 1t was very tough;
it oozed sticky stuff where he broke Il.
His neck" he said, between his teeth,
"jus' like that
They reached an open space. Some
thing black-or was it ed?-lay on
the ground. Dave bent over it a mo-
ment, then looked up to her white,
clear face, white and clearer than ever
since witnessing the strength OF his
hate.
"It's calf" he said. as calmly as he
could. 'HaH ct up. Wolves, guess"
"The poor, poor thingl" she breath
ed. 1.-THE poor, innocent thing! Why
did It have to die7"
Its always the innocent things AT
SUFFERS he answered.
Always the innocent things" she
repeated mechanically. Always"
She sprang to her feet and faced him.
'sThen what about the justice OF
God?'' she demanded.