The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-08-11
SHElLA
BY AGNES GRAHAM sRoeAN
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tS. 1874. Western NsMspspsr UnionA


The white cottage stood far back
from the roadside On it's veranda
rocking comfortably, sat gray
haired woman, her fingers busy with
a pan of fresh peas. A girl was APP
preaching. The woman called to an
old man Flooding about the garden.
Daniel" she asked, now who do
you suppose is coming TO see us?''
1T isn't Camilla" he replied. AT
hrst l thought that is might be Ca
milla."
His wife laughed softly.
You wouldn't expect our daughter
TO hunt US out in our humbIeness.
would your" she questioned.
The woman arose waiting, as the
girl came nearer; she was a dewy-
eyed, wild-rOse sort of creature with
a pert, very evidently new hat on her
dark wavy hair
IF you, please she asked. would
you direct me TO the Junction, where
the trains 90 on to the city?'
The Junction is five miles or more
from here" the old man answered
her, "and the road rough and uneven
Were you hoping to walk there to-
night?"
The girls eyes filed with tears.
i did not know that it would be
so far" she hesitated.
you cannot have walked here from
Ocean View" the woman interposed.
You have sent your car back, per-
haPsa"
The girl turned
Il Will tell you why" she replied,
'tt is herause-I am running away"
The woman picked up her pan of
peas. Daniel" she called, come
here"
Reluctantly the man in overans
came.
First" said the girl. you must
promise not to betray my confidence"
YES. my dear" she said.
1T was week ago." the girl began,
that | was married. A hastily-ar-
ranged marriage. because of the death
OF my grandfather. Always, had
lived with Grandfather Craigie, in a
tiny house that was his home. knew
no other, while he was all that l
ever had. But we were very happy
together in our bare, neat little home
that l loved to tend with his chick
ems and his vegetables to keep him
busy. AT evening we would sing the
old Scotch songs he loved, and we
did not miss the outside world, be-
cause we knew so little of it until
the artist man came. 1 call him that
still sometimes, in thought although
he is now my husband.
p He was drawing pictures for the
magazines when we met, and stopped
to visit with grandfather one evening
in passing. Later, he begged Grand
father Craigie to let me pose for him.
There was something about my hair
that the artist liked, and my eyes it
was very strange, and he cOlOred it
all most beautifully into a picture,
and called the picture ''Sheila," which
is my name. And-when grandfather
went so Suddenly-my artist man
whom l had grown to lOVe-Oh so
dearly, made me his wife, and brought
me to the great Ocean View for our
bridal trip before returning to the
city where his home is. And l was
happy-happy, until last night his
fine sister came on to meet me, and
1 heard her talking later with my
husband on the balcony of the hotel
outside our window. They did not
know that | heard. for had left them
to run down TO the wonderful beach
1t was my cape came back for, when
l heard this sister speak my name.
THAT impossible Scotch girl" she
angrily called ME, and challenged my
husband.
How are YOU going to show such
a wife TO mOther?"
And as 1 stood shocked and IN
willing to go, 1 learned what an I'M
fortunate marriage my artist had
made, and how my own humbleness
and crudeness would ever hold him
back from that success which meant
so much to him.
$50, because I knew that he would
not accept my sacrifice, | planned to
run away. He had taught me to ride
on his favorite horse, so that seemed
the easiest way to start. knew that
Prince would find his way back when
l should let him go. So, stubbornly,
Prince went his way. Now that he
has brought me here, will you shell
ter me until morning? Please do not
try to reason otherwise, have thought
it all out. 1 am not their kind.
could not stay to hear the reprOach
of those hard, disappointed old people
of whom the sister spoke"
The gray-haired woman arose; and
put a protecting arm about the girl.
Father she ordered, bring that
little travelling bag inside
I'VE will never let you CO." the
gray-haired woman said, you shall
stay and be to us a daughter. Our
daughter married and went away"
very far away" added the old
man sadly.
Then on one OF the peaceful eve
..Er,.-- ....tAo a M tta.. nE no..-.1.