The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-04-23
JANE HERRING'S PIANO.

from the cradle, so to speak, make so
bold as to say it again"
Mrs. Freeman looked over spectacleS
at the tall, somewhat gaunt woman be-
fore her. Certainly the purse-pride of
which she spoke was not noticeable in
Jane Herring's personal appearance.
Nothing could be palmer or more home
ly than her dress nor, in fact than her
whole surroundings. She stood before
her guest, looking down at the fire
thoughtfully. Her sallow face, despite
its habitual melancholy of expression,
was not unpleasing; and there was a
wonderful sweetness about her grave
gray eyes, and in her voice, as she an
sWered:
You have no call to say I'm purse
proud, Mrs. Freeman. L only like to
keep my station"
And what's your station, gal? What
your mother used 10 din in your ears,
years ago, tellin' you you was too good
for this an that. Just "A matter O. hav-
ing palmer over an above other folks,
and a lot better you are for it,"
Jane Herring turned instinctively to
the old instrument III the corner by the
window. Its ancient rosewood case
shone with much polishing; it looked
quantity out of place in that homely
kitchen.
It's not only the piano. she said,
quietly. It's the education that goes
with it, and being able to play it, and
and that"
"Eddication-bosh!" remarked her
guest, somewhat rudely. Its just the
pianer, and all the village knows it."
Well" she went on after pause, as
Jane made no reply, "'twas just this L
came round to speak to We about, Jane.
You might have been a happy wife
be-now, but for that-now, mightn't
you"'
A dark flush spread very slowly over
Jane Herring's saIlow face; she put her
hand nervously to her forehead.
Don't" she said. huskily.
But you might" persisted the elder
woman, disregarding her evident dis
comtiture. Here you are a woman of
siX-and-thirty livin' alone and misera
bic, so to speak, when you might ha'
been the wife of good man."
"Oh. please-please, that's all past
and done with, Mrs. PERMANENTLY do
you speak of it?"
''Phineas Balm wasn't good enough
for you. The Balms hadn't pianer,
eh?"
Jane turned to her angrily. She was
very rarely reused, but her words came
al. = I,
upon her face.
you have no right to speak on such
things" she cried. NO one is con-
cerned il that but me. l want no one
to live with me. | ask no one to help
me. l might refuse every man in the
place if l liked"
But it ill-becomes you. Don't you
know how it angered all the folks about
when you said no to Phineas? She
thinks herself too good for him. they
said. Now, Jane
why do you say this? Why bring
up the past at ali? Have l offended
you in any way, Mrs. Freeman"
mo. | came in your interests, SO
to speak. Jane, because I've got eyes and
ears, and can see what's going forward.
Phineas Balm was hard hit for you 20
years ago, and it's my belief he would
have you yet but for your pride. But"
she added, mysteriously, there's an
other woman, a young one and pretty
one, setting up to take his heart. There
is, you mark me, and it's Miss Letters
new millinery prentice
Jane laughed
''Phineas is his own master" she said.
And no more. Not one word more
would she say on the subject; not one
word more would she hear. Mrs. Free
man, in her meddlesome solicitude, felt
that she had had wasted visit. Jane
always was queer soul; good enough
and kind enough, too, in her way, but
as proud as Lucifer, and nothing to be
proud of.
Poor Jane Herring! Her pride did
not prevent her shedding a few tears by
her lonely freside that night. This
was not the first time that Mrs. Free
man had tried to introduce this subject,
but it was the first time she had had
SO much to say.
Was it the piano? Jane rose from her
low chair before the fire, and went to
the corner in which the instrument
stood Truly her mother had taught
her to expect great things by reason
of this rare possession. Truly as a
younger woman, she had thought her
station above that of her neighbors in
this remote and tiny village. And
when Phineas had stood there, on that
very hearth, and had laid his simple
love before her, this pride, this feel
ing of superiority, had seemed to stand
substantially beween them.
Was it the piano? Looking back over
the years-the long and lonely 20 years
since that day, there seemed, indeed,
TO have been no other obstacle. She
could remember the thrill OF pleasure
the knowledge of his honest love had
brought her; she could remember, too,
the pang il had cost her to send him
from her. Her mother had assured her
there would be plenty in better station
IF lifa who xynulH caals ba,. haul Oh,