The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-05-19

ne rlOIneF SHDOk IeE lFtU Will
some recollection OF the blindness of
love And yet her own heart refused
TO accept any idea of guilt on the part
OF TraverS-
Il want TO be alone, mother" said
Beulah. Il want to be alone. To think.
I'm going down by the river"
AS she strobe rapidly through the
paths in the cottonwOodS the girl
gradually became conscious Of one
dominating impulse in her maze Of
emotions. She must see Jim. She
must see him at once. She must see
him alone. There were things to be
said that needed-that admitted-nO
witness. She knew that Arthurs or
one of the men would willingly ride to
town for her. or with her, but This was
a task for her alone. They must know
nothing until it was over.
Outwardly calm, but inwardly burn
ing with Impotence. she returned to
the house and went through the form
of eating supper. Then she dallied
through the evening. giving her at
tentiOn TO Allan until all the house
hold. except her mother, had gone to
he'd.
Il will watch with Allan tonight"
her mother said. You need rest more
than do. Lie down in my room and
try to get some sleep.
Her mother kissed her. and Beulah
went TO her room. But not to sleep.
When silence filled all the house she
slipped gently down the stairs, through
the front yard, and into the corral
Fortunately her horse had been sta
bled. She harnessed him with some
difficulty in the darkness. and threw
herself into the saddle For 100 yards
she walked him; then she drew him
of the hard road on to the grass and
loOsed him into a trot. Half a mile
from the house she was swinging at a
hard gallon down the dark valley.
More than once even the Sure-fOOted
ranger almost fell over the PREACHER
Gus badger holes. bat she had learned
to ride like the saddle itself, and she
merely frightened the rein and urged
him faster.
At a crossing her horse almost col
lided with a boy returning home from
some late errand. "Oh. Mr.. Boy" she
said. Come here, please. I want you
to help me-"
The boy approached heSitatingly, as
though suspicious that some kind of
trick were being played on him.
Can you tell me-" she said. in low
voice. where the Jail is? I'll give you
81 if you do"
There amt no Jail here, miss he
replied frankly, evidently satisfied that
the question was bona fide. There's a
coop, but you wouldn't give a dime to
see it. It's just kind of a she'd"
That's just what 1 want to find"
she continued. land I'll give you 81 to
show me where it is
Easy pickin'." said the boy. "Steer
your horse along this way"
He led her through the main part
of the town, to where a one-stOry build
ing. somewhat apart, stood aloOf in
the darkness.
Some coop, amt it?" said her guide,
with boyish irony. My dad says that's
what we git fer votin' against the gov
er'ment. The fire trucks in the front
end, an there's cell with bars be-
hind. Do you want TO see that, too?
Yes, that's what l want to see, but
1 can find it myself now, thank you"
She dismOunted and made her way
to the back of the building. She saw
the outline of a door, which was I'M
doubtedly locked. and further down
the same wall was little square win
dow. with bars on it. There appeared
TO be only one cell, so there was no
If .frrh
She stole up along the wall, but the
window WAS too high for her. Search
ing about the Uttered yard she found
a square tin. such as the rancherS use
TO carry coal oil. Mounting this she
was able To bring her face TO the bars.
jim" she said, in a low voice, lis
tening intently. But there was no re-
Spouse.
Jim" she repeated, a little louder.
She fancied she heard a stir, and the
sound of breathing seemed to cease.
"Jim Travers -
yes" came a quick reply. YES (!
Who is it,"
Come to the window, jim"
In moment she saw the outline OF
his face through the darkness.
"BeuIah Harris" he demanded, in
his quiet voice. what are you doing
here?"
A great happiness surged about her
at the sound of his voice and the
warmth of his breath against her face.
Il might ask the same, Jim. but such
questions are embarrassing. Anyway,
am on the right side Of the WALL"
She saw his teeth CLEAN in the dark
ness. What n wonderful soul he was
But You shouldn't have come like
this" he protested. and his voice was
serious enough, You are compromis-
ing>SourSeIf"
'NOt l." she answered. These bars
are more infiexible than the stiffest