The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-11-03
How Leslie Won
His Bride
By HAZEL SMITH.

ifain. ne iaSt thousand dollars |
owed OH the place was groMins ND
"ul or the soft 1T the rate of $500 a
lay. when the cyclone came"
Going 40 give il up, them"
No, | am going To get work ia The
city, hoping | can make a new START
later IN.
Rev. Jared Boyd spoke few
couSoling ana encouraging words 70
the bright, earnesl-faced Young man
he had met casually.
The seal IL front of them was &c
cupied hy a Young lady. Her beauty
and then ;he extreme palIor of her
face had attracted the attention OF
BrnmptOn. She seemed labOring under.
some intense mental distress. Her
companion MAS 4 hatchet-faced, shicty-
eyed 'oid man. who might have been
lawyer.
The MAN finally Went Ia the smoker
BrnmptonS casual acquaintance
crossed the aisle "a join some friends.
An in moment Brompton was
startled, amazed. 10 see The girl turn
directly around To him.
Il wish &" speak with YOU" she said
in = low, rapid zone. Il want Won TO
think Of your sister, if YOU have one.
AMI pity ANA help a woman in peril.
>orr"" ovrr deep deep trouble The
man with me" proceeded lil,. girl. is
beading me tu :: fate | dare aoa COM
bat for the sake of those near ana
dear &" me. lie holds ~ power over
me c:5iu.. DEFY There * one bare
ioophoic "r c~cIpe from misery. ruin
Yes. death itself You can provide it."
~" rcpe:ied Brompton. lost in
wonderment
-. s.au uuW, and here. ana quick
D.. for lh. precious moment of respite
MAY pa>s before can. act"
she u:.u~ Cd. her cheeks turning scar
let. y pleading. trembling hand rested
Hur".#.-i -ppn his own Eromp-
ION wa~ uuU,rrra,bly moved.
"WjiI you GARRY me the druop-
in- hand went lower, the tears were
falling -!'o u"r think me unmaiden-
ly. dp uHr !tiuk l hope TO urge you
10 20 Lifetime sacrifice. n i my life,
the lives col others in Tie balance. l
caunot explain ro YOU now. bat yours
is story ot a life lonely and broken
aS my OWL and YOU came into my
path At "a crisis. I appeal Ia YOU"
i think l understand M" he said
slowly. Il ann infinitely sorry for YOU,
;,nd-;J- your command"
What followed was To Leslie like
uu act in >onIe rapid drama. lie
SPOKE To- the clergyman. The latter
c"nverSed briefly with the young lady.
Then lher" waS 4 swift undertOned
marriage ceremony. The clergyman
filled out TWO blank certificates
Doris Mayiield." 4 sweet. simple
name. wholesome aS the fair face OF
It's owner, She whispered Il few last
words To Leslie: Go back 10 your
land. You will hear from me-" Then
her escort returned. They left the
train together at the next station.
One week later Leslie returned 20
his land The town banker met him
Il hope you have come back To
stay" lac said We need such men
a. YOU. Then. TOO. it is all arranged
for you.
About what:" questioned the mySti-
lied Leslie
Your land. \ confidential client
has forwarded the bank several thou
sand dollars TO protect the mortgage
and cover new improvements"
But | cannot accept money under
such conditions began Leslie
Our client probably anticipated
your independent spirit smiled the
banker. The money is simply
guarantee. ana YOU can have ten years
to pay of the mortgage if you wish
il. and we will advance You whatever
funds yea need te rebuild No danger I
of Your not soon cleaning it up"
Ii was a month later when. one
morning, Leslie stood surveying the
new habitatiOn. A Veritable wood
nymph seemed to come forth from the /
greenery lining the town road. Ii |
was-his wife.
Il have come. she said simply
TO explain"
Then she told him briefly She was
an heiress. Two worthless brothers
had become involved in forgery. A
scheming lawyer had threatened dis /
grace if she did not we'd client. a
man she despised- She was ready to
make the sacrifice when the train cpl !
Sode occurred. Later her production |
Of the marriage certificate had baffied !
the plotterS. She looked down when /
she had concluded. She filed his
vision with a new glory Then she (
said:
Il have come to tell you that have
arranged 10 have the marriage an
nulled, and to beg of you TO allow me
t. share my fortune with you
A lonely home" spoke Leslie ire /
SiStihly 1T will he dOubly SO>yhen I
You leave You cherish its peace and I
quiet. Then-cOuld you share 1t, with |
me and-lOve:"
After lowing herd drOned forth
unsteady mingled with mellow tin I
tinabulationS. she leaned towards I
him. both hands extended. sob in her
voice but joyful. serene.