The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1922-03-16
BUMPUS
BY CLARA c. HOLMES

yet Martha's heart was as desolate as
that forbidding wasteland stretching
acres to the eastward.
Beside her upon the windowsin.
purred Bumpus. She strOked him and
confided to him her troubles.
1T might have been very different
with US, Bumpns, if someone had not
erred so fearfully."
CO-incidentally, the words, ITO err
is human" fitted into her mind. Her
face frightened
''I'll do it, Bumpus Anything is bet
ter than living a useless existence be-
cause one hates somebody. But oh,
Bumpus, Anne did wrong me so spite
fully! She may not have invented the
unreasonable falsehOOds; but she en-
cOuraged - She persuaded Carlton
Burns into believing them. Because
I was sensitive, I was hurt terribly;
50 I ran away TO free CarltOn-yes,
Bumpus, l ran away from him." she
! concluded, bursting into sObs.
Anyway I'll send Anne a Christmas
| greeting" she continued, clinging to
her purpose, but can't buy anything
| out here What am to do, BumpUs?"
A moment after Martha had asked
| the question. the cat jumped down
| from the windOwsill and ran for the
| loft stairs and Martha followed him.
Bumpus stationed himself vigilantly
at the caves. AS Martha glanced
around. her attention was caught by
/ a trunk which had not been opened
since her sister had died, more than
/ year before.
Poor Lina's gowns used 10 fit Anne
| Grant Anne has become impOver-
! ished; it seems as if she is being
punished for her Jealous intriguing"
reasoned unsOphisticated Martha.
Il can't bear to wear these pretty
! things; 1 wonder If can persuade my
! self to give Anne this silk kimOnO,"
| she faltered. lifting a beautiful gown
from its place.
Then she sat down to write note,
] but her hand trembled and teardrOps
fell on the script.
Dear Anne Grant-The BankVille
News says you have had i'll luck.
want you to know that I am sorry. I
am mailing YOU a Christmas remem-
brance-the kimonO Lima never was
able to wear. Lima was fond of you.
"I presume you guessed why I
! turned cynic-I tried to be kind to
! grandmOther-it crushed me COM
pletely when folks gossiped. after she
had gone, saying that had abused
Z, her. I suppose was over-sensitive,
too, in regard to Carlton; but I assert
now, as did then, that I liked Carlton
for himself alone and not for his heir
ship to the mill property. as Carlton
was led to believe was true. I am
staying on my BURBERRY farm. In
memory of Lina-and Christmas-and
our own early friendship, I am truly
wishing you, and all the old friends,
a happy Christmas-tide
Your once cOnfidante,
Martha Bradwell."
Martha cOurageOusly went out into
the storm To carry her letter and
parcel To her mail box, which was
p nearly a mile away. When she re-
turned. she passed long hours in sus-
pense, wondering how Anne would ac-
cept the gift. By noon the pOstman
came. having put himself out of his
, way in order to deliver a letter. The
/
MY dear old chum-We are so glad
T. to hear from yOu-no one knew
whether YOU were living or dead. You
: mention some gossip. VIII YOU kindly
reflect that there We're others am
bilious for Cartons friendship as well
as myself? We are sorry you were SO
deeply hurt. Do you mind if we plan
"A sleighing party, and drive over when
the road gets good?
at am sure you never viii regret
r having shown so genuine a Christmas
/ spirit. That this may be your happiest
merriest Christmas. is the wish Of
"Anne Grant"
"Happiest Christmas :" NIartha's eyes
| filled with bitter tears; the words
were filled with hollow mOckery
SuppresSing her anger. Martha
watched the snow begin to fall When
Christmas morning dawned. Martha
2 wept again in loneliness.
2 Suddenly she sprang up. Someone
= was knocking loudly. and she dare
not open the door to a stranger. The
3 intruder came to the window.
Don't be afraid, Martha; for Jupi
ter's sake, let me in" he commanded
= She was soothed by the familiar
voice; mechanically she opened the
= door.
1t takes something more than {
, northeast blizzard to deter Yankee
, 'eHulIo, Martha" he greeted, ''arenr
YOU going to welcome fellow whC
has waIlowed miles TO get to your
She let him seize her almost mani
l mate hands.
s Martha" he bantered to dispel bel
: bewilderment, honest, I am real anC
r human. even if I am covered with lei
clas Anne cont for me- fO fell me- vO1