The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-03-11

strength bullying in every muscle. And
always it had been to learn that she
had been mistaken always 1t had been
to feel the heart sink just a little
lower than before. And still she kept
on. There was nothing to do but keep
on
Often she wondered how he would
receive her. That cold look which
had frozen his features when she
seized the revolver in his hand. would
It still sit there. too distant and de-
tached to be even scOrnfulE Would
she have it TO break down? She could
not know; she could only hope and
pray and go on.
As she turned her eyes to follow a
group OF men In uniform she became
aware OF soldier sitting alone in the
shadow short distance away. Some
quality about him caught her atten-
ton; his face was not discernible. and
his figure was too much in the shadow
to more than suggest its outline, bat
she found herself regarding him with
an intentness that set her pulses rae
ing Should she dare risk it again?
And yet there w4s something.
She had sudden plan. She would
make no inquiry. no apology; she
would walk near by and call him by
name. II that name meant nothing to
bim he would not even notice her pres
ence, but II it should be
Dave" she said.
He turned quickly in his seat; the
light fell on her face and he saw her:
he was on his feet and had taken a
step toward her. Then he stopped. and
she saw his features harden as they
had on that dreadful occasion which
row seemed so long ago.
"Welly' he said. His voice was me-
chanical. but in it was something
which Quickened her hope; something
! which suggested that he was making 1t
| mechanical because he dared not let
it express the human emotion which
was struggling for utterance.
Let me talk to you. Dave" she
pleaded 81 have followed you around
the world for this. Let me talk 1
can explain everything"
He stood still so long that she won
dered if he never would speak She
| dared not reach her hands to him |;
she could only stand and wait.
Irene" he said. why did you fol-
low me here?"
There is only one answer, Dave.
Because love you and would follow
you anywhere. No one can stop me
doing that; no one. Dave-except you"
And again he stood. and she knew
| that he was turning over In his mind
things weightier than life and death.
and that when he spoke again his
course would be set. Then. In the
partial shadow. she saw his arms
slowly extend: they rose, wide and
strong, and extended toward her.
There was quick step. and they met
about her, and the world sWOOned and
went by.
Il can explain everything" she said.
when she could talk.
You need explain nothing" he re-
turned. II have lived the tOrments of
the damned. Edith Duncan was right |;
she said if 1t were real love 1t would
never give up. 'Endureth all things.
she said. AN things she said. q.
There is no limit
But 1 must tell you, dear" she said.
$50 that you may understand" And
then she patched together the story.
from what she knew and from what
Edith Duncan had told her. and Dave
filled in what neither had known, In
| Guiding the incident earlier on that
fateful evening. She, could see his
jaws harden as they pieced the plot
! together and she knew what he was
| thinking.
CrO RE cONTINIJEDO