The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-08-21
LAURA ANN
BY MILDRED WHITE.

gazing absently at her magazine,
while Prudence bent over her ever
lasting embroidery. Meeting her sis
ter's visionary eyes, Miss Prudence
laughed shortly.
Are you wondering, too, she
asked, eff we are going to spend the
rest Of our lives in this regulated
plan? Our days and our years pass
with the same duties at the same
hours, and no innovation. In Willow
Crest, of course, there is not apt to
be anything new under the sum-
What are we going to do about it?'
"Do?" queried Miss Constance
calmly "Why, we must accept things
as they are, my dearI'
THANK goodness I have not your
serene state of mind" exclaimed the
vivacious sister, land intend to have
something to think about in this town
at least. I'm going to act upon a sud-
den idea and advertise for boarder."
But Prue," the plump little lady re-
mo. 'strated, 'we are not obliged to
earn money"
Money nothing" snapped Pru-
dence. 81 want companionship-a
probation. Who is there beside your
self to enjoy my delicious jellies and
give incentive to fresh culinary dis
coveries?
''But-but the boarder might be a
man." Constance complained.
81 hope So" her sister shamelessly
agreed ga man would certainly be an
innovation in Willow Crest"
Constance's soft lips were pressed
together in unfamiliar firmness.
"That," she decidedly remarked, 81
will not cOuntenance. If you are de-
termined in this most extraordinary
whim, specify plainly that the appli-
cant must be woman"
And grinly Prudence Obeyed.
The arrival of many responses to
her advertisement caused a pleasur-
able excitement. Even Constance,
vaguely disappearing, was forced to
smile at her energetic sisters enthus-
iasm, and it was Constance who final
" selected the "boarder."
She was a young woman from the
city. "Alone in the world" her let
ter said appeaIingly. Since her moth
er's death she had passed through a
series of boarding schools and was
anxious for the atmosphere of real
home "Her father" she added, spent
his time roaming about abroad"
Laura Ann Arnold was the name
signed to the letter.
isn't she the prettiest child?' cried
Miss Prudence.
"a sweet appearing girl, indeed, !"
Constance admitted.
'eWhy," coaxed Laura Ann, do you
both wear your nice hair so tightly? ?
In the city it would be arranged-Oh,
let me show you how" And she did.
The sisters looking with apologize
admiration at their transformed re-
Elections In the glass, thanked Laura
Ann warmly. The little boarder
further went with the two to assist
in the selection of new muslin dresses.
you've made US look so different"
ventured Constance.
$50 much-nicer," said Miss Prue.
Laura Ann laughed, her dark eyes
were dancing. You sent for me be
cause you wanted things different.
you know she reminded them.
And one summer evening when
Laura Ann had taken q walk to the
station she returned at supper time
with a distinguished looking stran-
ger.
"My father" she introduced care
Iessly.
st thought Stammered Prudence,
"that your father was abroad"
HE was,'' Laura Ann replied. "He
has just returned. 1 did not tell of his
coming, because I wanted it to be a
surprise. If you could make room for
him here until our future plans are
arranged he would be glad"
The sisters found that they could
make room. Constance in listening to
the recollections of Laura AIMS ia
Their, found much of interest to her
self. And many of those now far
scattered schoolmates had been mu-
tua1 friends of both.
A pretty color came to Consumes
cheeks as she talked. Sometimes
Laura Ann stopped long enough be
meath the trees where the two were
wont to sit, to tuck a flower into Miss
Constance's 1oOsened hair.
std like her for a stepmother," she
confded to Miss Prue.
SIT looks as though you were going
to get her." Prudence dryly replied.
ST hope So" Laura Ann confessed,
because, you see, though I've never
mentioned it, there's a boy in the city
called Jerry. We love each other.
But our fathers selfishly tried to keep
us both, because they were alone.
Jerry's mother died when he was
born. She was an excellent house
keeper, Jerry's mother, and his IA
Their wants Jerry to find that kind OF
wife. Tn not much for jellies and
that sort of thing" Laura Ann re-
GREETED.
Then, with a smiling satisfied
glance toward the couple beneath the
trees, she went to write a note.
"Dear Jerry" she penned briefly
"eome out in the car tomorrow to
spend the day, and-be sure to bring
your dad. want him specially"
Laura Ann looked tenderly up al