The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-03-03
Copyright. All Right, Reserved
CHAPTER VII-continued.

"Nohody sick, or aIything?
YES, there is something wrong"
AID Harris, trying vainly TO conceal
SAe bitterness in his voice. "Beulah's
left u.s.
''Who, Beulah? I can hardly be-
lieve that, Mr.. Harris. 1t was only
last night I was talking with her"
well, she's gone. Left through the
night. We-well, I tell you, George
we had a little disagreement. but I'd
no notion she'd take is so much to
heart. OF course you know about the
trouble with Jim yesterday. Taking
everything togcther-there won't be
no blowing today" Harris had said
more than he meant; he could feel the
color mounting into his hair, and the
bad English of his last words betrayed
a subtle recklessness rather than care
Iessness of speech.
Don't you believe a word of it
said George. 4 know Jim. and I know
Beulah, and if anybody else limited
what you've said you'd want to use
that rifle on them. Like enough Beu-
lah's staying somewhere around the
neighbOrhOOd. and she'll be back when
she has time to think it over"
THAT proves you don't know Beu-
lah." said Allan. "As for Jim, I was
never able to get below that smile.
and I saw more of him than you did.
George"
well, I hope you find a way out"
said George sincerely. 1T would have
been like her to come over to our
place, but she isn't there. Maybe you'll
find her at Morrison's."
That's possible" said Harris.
We'll go over there, anyway"
But Morrisons knew no more of
Beulah's whereabouts than did George,
and inquiry at other homes in the
neighborhOOd was equally futile. Har-
ris shrank from carrying his search
into the town, as he dreaded the pub
Hcity that would be attached to it.
But as the day wore on and the search
continued fruitless he finally found
himself at Plainville. If BeuIah and
Jim were really married the Presby-
terrain minister would be likely to
know something of the matter, and
Rev. Andrew Guthrie was a man of
sense and discernment
Mr.. Guthrie received his guest cOrdi-
ally, albeit with some wonderment as
to which member of the family might
be sick, but delicacy forbade a direct
question. Now, in agricultural COM
munities it is something Of an Offense
to approach any matter of Importance
by frontal attack. There must be the
due amount of verbal diminishing, re-
connOitering and Outfanking before
the main purpose is revealed. COnse-
quently Harris, for all his torture of
suspense, spent some minutes in dis
cussion of the weather, the crops. and
the prospect of a labor shortage in
harvest.
They're all well at home, 1 hOpe?"
said Mr.. Guthrie at length, feeling
that the custom of the community had
been sufficiently hOnored.
'Yes, all that's there" said Harris.
cali that's there? l didn't know any
Of your folks were away. Perhaps
Mrs. Harris is down East? I'm sure a
summer amid the orchards of her old
home would be a delight to her and,
of course, Mr.. Harris, you are able TO
crafty yourself in these little matters
now
Harris received these remarks with
a mixture of feelings. The minister's
reference to his financial standing car
ried with it a certain qualification, but
it consorted poorly with his recent
conversations with his wife and with
his present mission.
'And Beulah,' continued the minis
ter, conscious that his first shot had
gone wild. shes a fine young woman
now. 1 see her in church occasionally.
In fact, 1 was speaking with Mrs. Bur
ton, the choir leader, day or so ago,
and Beulah's name was mentioned be-
tween us"
''It was about Beulah 1 came to see
YOU" said Harris, with averted eyes.
Then in a few words he gave his YER
sion of what he knew and what he
suspected.
Il fear 1 can add nothing to your
information" said Mr.. Guthrie. ''They
haven't been here, and, as you say, if
Beulah contemplated marriage, 1 think
she would have called on me- Travers,
too, 1 knew a little, and thought him
a decent chap. But we must find the
girl and talk this over quietly with her.
Is there any place in Gown she would
be likely to go to? What about Mrs.
Goodies boarding house? 1 will just
call up on the telephone: 1 can make
inquiry without the necessity of any
explanations"
Inquiry at the house of Mrs. GOOde
brought a strong ray of light out of
the darkness. Beulah had been there
during the morning, and had explained
that she was leaving o. the west-b> md
train, which even now was drumming
at the station. On learning this
out word Harris sprang into the bug
gy, while Allan brought a sharl cut
the whip across the spirited horses.
They reached the railway station half
a minute too late; the train as al
ready pulling out, and rs Harris eyes
followed it in anger and vexatfon they
plainly saw Jim Travers swing litheIy
onto the rear platform.
With an oath the farmer reached
for his rifle. but Allan wrenched it
from his hands before any onlookers
noted the action. Don't be a fool, :"
he whispered, and started the horses
hOmeward.