The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-07-19
JOHNS SUGGESTION.
Demorest's Magazine.

Il uOn'J see why you SnOul0 Illnu III ab al,
Janet; it isn't bit like going to an aims
house, you know. And really, 1t seems the
only thing to be done under the circumstances.
If you knew how to get your living in any
way, and were able to do it, OF course thing
would be different; but as it is. you haven't
any choice And your $3.50 won't last very
long"
"No," and janet Reeves sighed, very
sad look on her gentle face; "and but for your
kindness in keeping me here the past six
weeks, great deal Of it would have been
gone already"
''Well, we needn't talk of that" said Mrs.
Wayne brlskly "Let's go back to the subject
of this Old Ladies' Home. John says 1t is
lovely place, and"
''You-you surely haven't mentioned the
subject to your brother ?" interrupted Janet,
O red flush springing to her pale cheeks.
''Goodness No wouldn't think of such
thing for moment. 1t isn't matter in
which he would be at all interested. But
Beechwood is only little way from the Old
Ladies' Home, and Of course he knows all
about it, l have heard him say it is a perfect
paradise for old people-a big, old-fashioned
house, almost hidden by vines, and surrounded
by old oaks and beech trees. Why there's
John now; come to take Rosa out driving, /
suppose. IL you really 'Uish to speak to him
questions, PHI
''Oh, no, no! Not for the world !" cried
Janet hurredly, look, almost of terror, in
her brown eyes. GAS you say, it would not
interest him in the least. Ida, promise me
you won't speak to him about it. l ask it as
a special favor"
Certainly, l promise,' answered Mrs
Wayne with alacrity; and before Janet had
time to speak again the door opened and John
Humphreys came in.
h. Rno
forty-fve years Of age, with Keen blue eyes,
heavy, dark moustache, and brown hair
thickly strewn with gray Life had been very
pleasant to him, always; but love had played
nopart in it, and he had repeatedly assured
his sister that he was too busy to find time
for love-making or matrimony. But Mrs.
Wayne felt sure that at last he had fallen a
victim to the tender passion, and inwardly re-
Joiced at the good fortune which had made
Rosa Burthnot her guest; for Rosa was young,
beautiful, rich, and charming, and would
make fitting mistress for Johns handsome
home, as well as an admirable sister-in-law.
Mr.. Humphreys shook hands with Miss
Reeves and nodded affectionately at his sister.
"Miss Rosa ready ?" he asked.
''I'll tell her you have comet and Mrs.
Wayne put down her work-a piece of blue
satin she was acknowledgement went out
Mr.. Humphreys walked to the window and
stood there staring out into the garden. 1t
was easy to find subjects of converse with
but with this shy elderly spinster he found
himself tonguetied.
"You're better to-day, l hope, Miss Reeves"
he said at last.
.oh, am quite well now," she rejoined,
without looking at him, and apparently intent
on the covering of a little primer belonging to
Mrs Waynes only child. II cannot call my
self an invalid any longer, and shall go very
soon.
''Go Go where ~
D.. ttI---T u I'm - uolx, Rut 7
cannot trespass any longer on your SISTERS
hospitality. / have already stayed too long"
"That is absurd l don't see why you
should go at all. Considering what you did
for"
'toh, Mr.. Humphreys, that was nothing
nothing at all '
Nothing to rescue an only child from
drowning don't agree with YOU"
81 mean that l have been amply repaid"
said Janet, very much embarrassed. 'fThink
of how devotedly your sister nursed me all the
time was laid up with that dreadful rheu-
matte fever, and how have stayed on here,
day after day, since got WELL"
"The fever was the result of your plunge
into the icy water after little Ruey. 1t would
have been ungrateful, indeed, in Ida not to
have done all in her power in return. Where
do you propose to 60"
But the question was never finished, for, to
Janets great relief, there was the sound of
gay laughter in the hall, and Ida and Rosa
came in, the latter drawing on pair of long
undressed kid gloves of the latest shade of
tan. She was stylish-looking girl and John
Humphreys eyes rested on her admiringly as
she advanced to meet him and threw over his
arm, with easy familiarity, her light shawl.
And Janet, who also admired her, wondered
how any man could help falling in love with
such gay, fearless young creature; and tax
ing an opportunity when they were all talk
ing slipped unnoticed from the room.
The hall window commanded a good view
of the broad carriage drive, and Janet, safely
hidden from observation by the heavy eur
tains, watched John Humphreys as he helped
Rosa into his light buggy, and, gathering the
reins in his hand, sprang in beside her with
some merry remark which the pale watcher at
the window could not hear.
"She has everything, everything" |" murmar-
ed the poor, lonely little woman, ''and IL
have nothing. Oh, why should things be por-
toned out so unequally in this worldg And
yet how foolish to repine At my age | ought
to have more sense and courage"
But as she thought of her utter loneliness,
and that in day or two she must go forth
among strangers, to become an inmate of
charitable institution, she put her head down
on the broad window seat, and cried until she
was exhausted She did not dream for
moment that the handsome couple in the
carriage were even then talking OF her.
'Janet Reeves is the best, most unseltsh
woman / ever KNEW said Rosa Burthnot,
as the tmppV rolled ont from the gravel drive