The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1877-01-05
''Oh, yes, l know l shall, she an

sweet, girlish face, her eyes full of ten
1 der admiration.
''She is such a simple, unpretending
little thing" he thought; SD sooner
, win her for my wife than the grandest
lady in the world"
Sim sure you'll have nice evening" {"
he said aloud, land shall come for
you early, so be ready in good time,
and Janet, :" he added, his voice rifle
unsteady, zone of these days want
you to go to the hall for good. love
you, dear. and want You to be my
wife. Willyou:7
The hand on his arm trembled. the
bright head dropped.
Have you no answer for me. JanetY'
You must ask papa, Mr.. Hardwicke."
And if papa says yes, what thenl
Oh. Janet, do you care for me at all?
Look up, and let me read my answer
in your eyes.
The soft, brown eyes looked up at
him in the autumn moonlight: he read
his answer and was content
Janet went home, With the FIRST love
kiss of her pure life warm upon her
lips.
She was too happy to sleep. She
sat on the steps watching the moon
sinking down toward the dim western
hills. and listening to the murmur Of
the pine trees long after her father
and Margery were in bed. A step on
the gravel startled her She !eaped to
her feet with o suppressed cry.
"nush! Janet. hush! It's me
Ralph
''Oh, Ralph, your
The intruder was pale, haegard and
wild eyed, and his garments thread
bare. He was Janet's brother: Mr..
Arbuthnot's only son; the one who
| had broken his fathers heart, and
made himself an alien and outlaw.
Yet despite lis evil ways, Janet's ten
der heart loved and piti,d him. She
put her arms about his neck, and kissed
uis haggard face.
Poor Ralph, how ill you look.
What is the trouble now?"
He laughed hard sort of laugh.
"1ha old trouble I've had awful
III luck, Jauet. The cards have gone
against lie of late, TOO I'm done for
must get out of the country before
ile week ends"
"Ob, Ralph, and you will give up
cards? Ard you want money"
That's it Janet. I'm a scouudrel to
come to you in my trouble; but l
couldn't see any other way. You are
good girl Janet; You always were.
shan't forget you. But you won't tell
the Governor that I'm in another
scrapeT
No, Ralph; it would break poor
papa's heart. Wait here and I'll get
the money"
He sat down under the rose vines;
man whose feet had troC the downward
way for years; a son whose name was
| u forbidden word in his fathers house.
Janet brought the contents of the sill
'ai bowl and put il in his ',ai.1,
That Is every cent Dosses- Raipi.
sit won't do; want at least twenty
dollars more"
She looked at him in dire distress.
Il can't ask papa, Ralph, without l
tell him you are here
mo, no, you mustn't go to him.
Can't you get it somehow. Janet? You
we're always so clever"
Her troubled eyes frightened.
Can you come again? On Friday
shall get the Inonee for the altar cloth
| am 'nbroidering
Yes, l will come on Friday night.
You are a good child and I'm a rascal
70 take your earnings Good night, |
Janet"
She cIung to him her tears falling |
| very fast.
"Oh, Ralph, look DIP there at poor
mammals grave Ralph, Ralph, won't
you DO be.ter?n
''Tll try, Janet; will, pom honor"
he replied with emotion. Good night"
Through the rest of the week Janet
worked steadily at her altar cloth 81
lent and thoughtful.
Il shan't get the pink corals or go
to the ball, papa. Please do not ask
ne Why" was all she said.
And, suspecting her trouble, and
perhaps suspecting her secre', her
father asked no questions.
The night of the ball came. Aglori
Gus night, the sky like sapphire, full
moon hanging over the blue noun
tains. Janet had finished the altar
cloth, and had the money in her pock-
ct. She thought of the pretty pink
corals. and though she was willing to
give up for Ralph's sake. yet the girl
is! tears fell like rain.
She sat under the rose vines, as the
twilight fell, and watched the prrpar-
ations at Hardwicke Hall. Lights be
gan to flash out amid the shrubbery
like fire flies, and the roll of carriage
wheels, and the munur of voices grew
incessant Just rs the first sound OF
of the band struck the summer air,
Mr. Hardwicke appeared, bunch of
hot house flowers in bis hand.
81 told you l should come early
and Lillian says you must wear some
of these flowers in your hair" then he
stopped, bewildered and stammered:
"But, Janet, you are not dressed.
No, Mr. Hardwicke, / am not
going"
Not going? Why not?''
There are reasons which have
caused me 10 change my mind, am
very sorry, but"
She stopped short, unable to keep
her voice steady. The young mans
color blszed up.
But you gave Inc your word that
you would 60" he cried Indignantly;
land you know had my heart set on