The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1922-02-02
FaciIe's the
Word
By MARTHA WILLIAMS

THE blithering idiOtr' Frances
CALCULATED, tearing in half the note
she had just read.
swear" DENLY comented dispas-
sIOnately. Lots Of relief in good
mOuth-fiIling OATH Better try it,
II can't-being a gentlewoman,"
Frances countered. Suppose you do
Il for me-"
Him! If the job is permanent
might possibly consider it," her new
est victim returned. Cant possibly
damage my piety for anything cas-
nal"
II seel After all, there are limits TO
your devotion. Luckily 1 am finding
out in time" from Frances.
"As 1 am finding out that you are
after ALI canny. Emphasis upon the
after all"
You seem to be qualifying for the
idiot class" Frances said, demurely,
but with twinkling eyes.
"As hOwE' DENLY demanded, draw
ing down the corners of his mouth.
THUS and So" from Frances. THAT
note intimates that 1 am now sowing
smiles where they will return a gold
en- harvest Now, amt that ni-iseF
you must have studied poor Jim
Baxter very closely to hit off his IA
vOrite speech so cleverly," DENLY
commented. Say, do you initiate all
OF us this way? If So I'd love to have
a specimen Of-myself.'
AZ know better; you would not"
Frances said emphaucally.
But 1 would cross my heart and
hope TO die" from DENLY.
Next minute he turned angry red
in spite of himself as he heard, in
what seemed his own voice. Il wish
you would forget how to say No"
Il do wish it; harder than ever.
For I'm going To ask if you will marry
me out of hand and run along home
with me TO mother" his pique swept
away in Il new rush of tenderness.
stop playing with me, dearest. Re
member this is dead earnest. I"
Remember! There have been 9th
ers," from Frances wickedly.
He nodded. Several others. Now
il makes me shudder 10 think of them.
If l had won-and met you-toO
late"
"Tany" from Frances, breaking
into gale of laughter. DENLY
sprang 10 his feet crying in II half
chOked voice: After this-I can be-
neve you would laugh Ut seeing Il
murder
Dear Dear!" from Frances in hel
highest manner. Let me explain, Mi
Temple Denby-I laugh at your melO
drama-because 1t is too perfect. II
is n well-known immortal fact that ne
woman kisses perfectly the first time
1t ought to be as we'll understood that
when a man has it very badly he com
monty makes a mess of telling you
So"
II am no trifier" from DENLY. stiff
fly. But how if-yOu are trying to
be an avenger?" Frances flung at him
wouldn't that explain - several
things? Especially as you are-Ol
were-Carter GordOn's best pail
Denby's face was a study, changing
swiftly through red. white, and set
grim gray. After a long minute ht
said, huskily: "SO-yOu are Furnishing
me for an intention? One abandoned
before I saw you-from the minute
heard your voice in the twilight
there among the roses"
Frances felt herself trembling. She
was so glad, so sorry he had not lice
to her. Something subtle as a flame
also as soaring, had leaped between
them there in the scented dusk. She
had been fighting it ever since-fight
ing hard in desperate fear. She hat
somehow sensed a fiber OF loyalty il
him that would make hurt to a frienC
double hurt to himself.
So, prOtectively, she had flouted hin
daintily, all the while alluring hin
and thrilling in the JOY of his response
But she had not dared to be truStfu
barely one and twenty though sh
was, she knew the game of hearts il
all its facets. Holding herself har
she said clearly: Il do not defen,
myself beyond this-I doubt if tn
game we played really hurt Carter
Except, of course, in his vanity. He 1
too facile. He had no eyes nor ear
for anybody but Lora Lane-at frs
Frankly, 1 felt myself a rescue-mi:
sionary In taking him away froI
her"
"YOu would have been-if you ha
held him." DENLY said bitterly. mo
II think he will marry her-out c
spite to you. And that will be hi
destruction"
''How?" Frances breathed rattle
than asked. DENLY went on hdskily
HE is a real man-but with an IL
herited handicap. Dipsomania. 3
has fought it CALAMITY, successfully
Your love would have been to him
crown TO victory. LOra is-just til
opposite"
"HOw dare you love me-in fac
OF that-tragedy? Frances cried. h,
voice breaking at the last. AT do NJ
dare-I love rnnt hncanSa I cannnt he