The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-01-30
Wartime
Speed
~
1918. by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.)
By CATHERINE PARSONS


Copyright, 1918, by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.)
Gardner Lane was busy with the de-
lightful task of painting Amy Roland's
portrait. If you had seen Amy you
would have really envied him, for
she was truly lovely.
On this particular day Amy left the
studio somewhat later than usual for
the picture was just at an interesting
stage and Gardner could not bear to
stop work till the last bit of daylight
had vanished. Mrs Roland, who al
ways came with her daughter, had left
early to keep an appointment and
Amy had promised to meet her at
five.
Gardner had kept her till the last
possible moment and she was hurry
ing toward the front door, when she
ran directly into a young man who
Us coming in the opposite d rectiOn.
81 beg pardon" exclaimed Amy, as
she bounced back in surprise. 'Why,
Billy Lane" she added as she recOg-
nized him. Where in the world did
you come from? 1 haven't laid eyes
on you for over two years."
''Just got here, Amy. I've been out
in Colorado working hard. But even
an obscure farmer has a right to
vacation now and then, so I'm taking
two weeks this time. Maybe it isn't
good to see you again-yOu haven't
changed much except to grow up more
l suppose you'd forgotten all about me,
though"
Amy blushed eighty, but it was too
dark to see.
Il hadn't, really; but of course two
years is a long time In another one
l might forget whether your hair was
red or brown. It's hard to remember
much when you're kept pretty busy"
Billy laughed ruefully.
Amy held out her hand with Il frank
and engaging smile. In another mo-
ment she was gone.
"FOr heavens sake" cried Gardner,
spying his brother from the floor
above. when did you get here? Well,
maybe it isn't good to see you again,
too Is this a pleasure trip?"
Not exactly. The truth of the mat
ter is I'm enlisting in about two weeks
and l wanted to see the old town be-
fore 1 went over"
''Great Scott, you don't say so!
would myself but I'm beyond the draft
age and 1 nate to leave my work
I'm really needed here. Could they
spare you all right?"
"Well. you see, I'm my own boss, so
I just sold out and came along I
couldn't stay out of it any longer and
I'd nothing to hold me back, either"
c-iY, 7
long-that's one reason why I don't
want TO enlist
''WhO is it-LOuise?'
Gardner laughed. ST should say
not! I've had a dozen since Louise
It's Amy this time. I haven't told her
yet, but I'm going to marry her.
Two days later Amy went for an
other sitting for her portrait and again
she found Billy in the hall on her way
home.
Hello, Mr.. Hermit" she scoffed.
you're not wasting time on your old
friends this trip, are yOu?"
Most of them seem to be pretty
busy themselves
''Well, I'm not for one, and to prove
it I'll invite you to go for a walk with
me now.
isn't it lovely out today?" cried
Amy enthusiastically.
Eyes. but you'd never call this beau
tiful if you could see it out where I
live. Mountains and hills and valleys
everywhere you look. And the sun
sets-yOu'd love those sunsets, Amy
They just make the whole world a
blaze of glory and put peace into your
soul. l can't explain how it is out
there-it's too big for that. But 1 can
tell you it impresseS one. Maybe I'm
daffy on the subject, but it's simply
life out there to me. I feel like our
poet friend who said: want to go
back, and 1 WIFI You'd love it out
there. Amy
"Oh, 1 would love it," she agreed,
: and almost surprised herself by her
own fervor
''Will you visit me some day then
you and your husband?"
'WelI be delighted-provided have
one by that time
I'm the meantime will you consider
an invitation TO dine with me this eve
ning?"
I'm sorry, Billy, but I'm going to
dinner at the Seatons' with Gardner
they asked me ages ago. But I've had
n lovely walk with you"
$50 have l, too. Good night"
'Billyr'
what can 1 do for yOu?"
Don't you ever want to walk home
with me again? 1 have three more sit
tings."
''Of course 1 want to. But a man
doesn't do all the things he wants to-
worse luck! I'll see you before long,
though. Good-by."
II think you're the limit, and you
make me cross" fiared Amy, and re-
fused to notice his proffered hand.
WhereupOn Billy pondered long on
the vagaries of women and kept out
of Amy's way for the next two days.
But on the day that she came for her
last sitting she found him standing be-
fore her picture in the studio with a
strange look on his face.