Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 105, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 May 1917 — THE GODS WILL SEND [ARTICLE]

THE GODS WILL SEND

By LOUISE OLIVER.

Richard Forbes stood nt one of the windows of bis apartment looking out into the twilight descending rapidly over the river and the palisades beyond. He was dressed faultlessly for the evening and Owam, his Japanese servant, stood waiting overcoat and his glistening hat. Suddenly Richard wheeled. “Owan, what would you do if you were tired of everything? Tired of food, tired of people, tired of amusement, tired of —living?". Owam smiled and gave a peculiar little shrug of the shoulders. “Mees? ter Dick get mar-red.” “Who to?” asked Richard curiously. “Nice girl !” “That’s fike you Orientals. Anyone at all with five pigs, a flock of geese, a hundred simsos and a few thousand ancestors.” TiS-s.-.; Owam made a deprecating gesture with his hands. “Meester Dick want wife —the gods will send!” The telephone rang. Richard answered it. A thin, high voice came over the wire. “Ob. doctor,” it pleaded, “how is Kitty Louise resting now?” At any other time Richard would have said, “I'm sorry, but you must have the wrong number,” and bung up. But something in the voice, a pathetlc wistfulness, an overwhelming anxiety touched an answering chord in his heart So Richard answered, “She is very comfortable now, really resting quite easily.” “Then tell her, please, that Archibald will be around this evening to arrnngo about the wedding tomorrow, as — he leaves for France the following morning.” This was rather a breath-taking turn of affairs. “Owam, I don’t happen to know a Miss Kitty Louise, do I? You know everybody’s name.” “Owam not know, Meester Dick.” “Yes. the name has a familiar sound. Kitty Louise! Why, I say, Owam—-1 remember. One day in the elevator I was going—l’ve got it now. Bring my hat, Owam.” And then as the Jap hurried away, “And if I can find her tonight she’ll not marry Archibald tomorrow !” With the aid of an elevator boy in his own building Richard found the door of the studio under the skylight. He rapped and a voice called, “Come in.” • ’ / , At first he did not see her propped up on cushions on a couch on the other side of the big room. “I couldn’t answer the door myself, you see,” she smiled, “and Polly had to go out. I’ve had an accident. My foot caught in a grating today and I fell and hurt my ankle.” “Then you are Miss Kitty Louise — my Miss Kitty Louise, I mean.” “Yours?” “Yes. That is—but I’d better explain. I happen to be the bearer of a message to you trfat came to me by mistake over the telephone. It is about one Archibald.” He watched her Jealously. “You do know an Archibald, (Ton’t you?” “Yes.” She had turned very pale. “Well, I was to tell ydta that he is coming this evening to arrange for a wedding tomorrow. He leaves the next day for France.” She had turned her head away and made no answer. There seemed to be nothing to do but retire and he moved. toward the door. “Mr. Forbes!” He turned. “Thank you for the message. It is odd that it should come through you, and wonderful how you found me. Somehow I cannot think clearly, but I feel that I ought to explain. You see, grandma wants me to marry Mr. Archibald .Stone —and I’ve never done anything she wanted before. AM this" —looking around the studio —“is against her wishes. So I’ve half promised what you know to try to make it up. She’s not well and may go any minute. I don’t waht it on my conscience that I’ve made her unhappy at the last” Richard came nearer. “But you musn’t marry anyone you don’t love. I’m going to tell you that I love you. You must not marry this other man.” She stared at him incredulously for a moment. “Since when? It couldn’t have happened in fifteen minutes.” “I think it began that day you dropped your muff,” he said eagerly. “I wonder if you have ever thought of me at all since then.” ” B he confessied. “Then, that’s all I’ll ask of you until you’ve told this Archibald that it’s all off." “But I can’t. Grandma would die disappointment and It would be my The door opened suddenly and Polly rushed in. “Oh. Kitty. Kitty Louise — your grandmother. She’s —she's- —" “PoHy what are yon saying? Is she —dead?” • Polly notified excitedly. “Oh. don’t Kitty Louise? Please!” For the latter had buried her face in the cushions and was sobhing sqftly. Richard went over and took one of her hands. “The gods have sent,” he repeated solemnly. “Owain was right.” (Copyright, 1917. by the McClure Newspaner Syndicate.)