The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-11-24

Her conclusion wandered Off into the
realm Of unvoiced hopes, but her hus-
band knew what 1t was as well as II
She had phrased it.
When Clay came home that evening
he stopped abruptly at the door. The
lady Of his dreams was setting the
table in the dining-room and chatting
gayly with an invisible Kitty in the
Kitchen.
The delicate fragrance of the girls
personality went to Clay's head like
wine as he stepped forward and shook
hands. To see her engaged in this
intimate household task at his own
table quickened his pulse and sent a
glow through him.
"You didn't know you had invited
me to dinner, did you" she said, little
flags a-futter In her cheeks.
They had a gay dinner, and after
ward pleasant hour before Clay took
her home.
Neither of them was In a hurry.
They walked through Central park In
the kindly darkness, each acutely sen.
sitive to the others presence.
Her gayety and piQuancy had given
place to gentle shyness. Clay let
the burden of conversation fall upon
her. He knew that he had come to his
hour Of hours and his soul was
wrapped In gravity.
She too sensed what was coming,
and the sex instinct In her was on
tiptoe in flight. She was throbblng
with excitement. Her whole being
longed to hear what he had to tell her
Yet she lodged for way Of escape.
Silenees were too significant, too full
pulsed. She made herself talk. 1t
did not much matter about what.
"Why didn't you tell us that 1t was
Mr.. Bromfield who struck down that
man Collins? Whv did you let US
think you did it?" she queried.
"Well, folks in New York don't
know me. What was the use of gettin'
him in bad?"
"You know that wasn't the reason.
You did 1t because" She stopped in
the midst of the sentence. 1t had oc.
CURED to her that this subject was
more dangerous even than silence.
Il did 1t because he was the man
you were goln' to marry" he said.
They moved side by side through
the shadows. In the faint light he
could make out the fine line of her
exquisite throat. After a moment she
spoke. you're good friend, Clay.
1t was big thing TO do. don't know
anybody else except Dad that would
have done it for me-"
"YOu don't know anybody else that
loves you as much as do"
1t was out at last, quietly and with.
out any dramatics. "A flash of soft
eyes darted at him, then yelled the
shining tenderness beneath long lashes.
"fve had an attack Of common
sense" he went on, and in his voice
was strength both audaciOus and
patient. II thought at first / couldn't
hope to win you because OF your for
tune and what 1t had done for you.
Even when l knew you liked me !
felt it wouldn't be fair for me to ask
you. 1 couldn't offer you the ad-
vantages you'd had. But I've changed
my mind. I've been watching what
money does to yore friends. It makes
them soft. They fiutter around like
butterflies They're paupers--a good
many of them-because they don't pay
their way. A mans a tramp If he
doesn't saw wood for his breakfast.
| don't want you to get like that, and
If you stay here long enough you sure
will. It's In my heart that If you'll
come with me we'll live"
In the darkness she made a rustling
movement toward him. A little sob
welled up in her throat as her hands
lifted to him. "oh, Clay! I've fought
against 1t. didn't want to, butt
love you. Oh, do love you!"
He took her lIssom young body In
his arms. Her lips lifted to his.
Presently they walked forward slow
ly. Clay had never seen her more love
ly and radiant, though tears still chung
to the outskirts Of her joy.
Were going to liye--oh, every
hOur!" she cried to the stars, her
lovers hand In hers.
Johnnie felt that Kitty's farewell
dinner had gone very well. 1t was her
first essay as hostess, and all of
them had enjoyed themselves. But,
so far as he could see, 1t had not
achieved the results for which they
had been hoping.
Clay came home late and next MORN
ing was full Of plans about leaving.
"Two more days and we'll hit the
trail for good old Tucson" he said
cheerfully.
"Y'betcha, by jollies." agreed his
shadow.
None the less 3ohnnie was dis
tressed. He believed that his friend
was conceallng an aching heart be-
meath all this attention to impending
details. AS Benedict he considered
1t his duty TO help the rest of the
world get married too. A bachelor
was boob. He didn't know what was
best for him. Same way with girl.
Clay was fond OF Miss Beatrice, and
she thought a bean as kisA Va