The morning times., 1896-10-18

to talk to him. she closed her eyes and
said no more.
y suite was taken for her at the hotel
and maid was detailed to stay with her.
few moments conference with the clerk
settled these things, and Jane was taken
20 her rooms.
I'm coming in an hour TO see you, If
you think you'll be able to receive me-
said the man.
She half smiled, a wan, pitiful flower of
gratitude that smile, and said yes, she
should be very glad to see him.
The man Was Harry Danvers, and he
had loved this girl and three years be
fore in an old peaceful country town had
courtcd her and asked her TO be his " fe;
she had refused him, gently, almost tender
ly, but absolutely, and the finality of
her Words was proven when within
fortnight she ran away with Allan Stan
field, the brilliant ne'er do-wcil OF the
town. Stanrield long before had been
forbidden her fathers house, and no
one had known of James intimacy with
him: her father returned her letters uD-
opened-her mother was dead, and to no
other friend did she ever write. She
passed out OF Danvers' life as If she had
died, and until he came upon her in the
act or seeking death he had know n no
more about her. Now he spent the next
hour walking up and down the cold,
lamplit streets, With bowed head.
When a glance at a clock in a window
told him that 1t was haifpast six, he hur-
ried With Il more active step back to the
hotel. Jane, IN the little Earlor he had
provided FOR her, came forward to meet
him with an outstretchcd hand.
Don't blame me too much, Harry"
were her first words. Il don't see even
now what else l can do but I'll do
something else" she smiled her wan smile
again.
Sit down and tell me about il ALL"
said nanvers, drawing up an easy chair
for her and seating himself a front ur her.
Il have had an awful life since 1 saw
you last-since l left home" she changed
her sentence with a touch of haste.
Danvers had told of his love when he
saw her last.
Allen Slanfield abandoned ME within
year-yes. he simply left me, and told
Inc in q note | would be better off with
out him. l had already been supporting
myself Icy working in shop. l have
been working in the same place ever
| since. but recently l have grown so frail,
| and have fdmted so often they dismissed
| me. Misery is quickly painted. Mine
has few incidents. L have made no
| friends. l have been too bowed down
| with shame. l do not love life, and L
health and home and happiness all gone
| Il saw no way to live"
She said these last words with plead
ing note Of apology i'll her soft voice
You must let me find some place for
YOU With your accomplishments l can
| get something for you less hard than this
| murderous work you've been doing
"A very strange thing has happened,
| Jennie-I may cali you that, may not,
| for old friendships sake? l have some
| good news for you" So he spoke with
| his first greetings, and Jane sat down at
his bidding, and listened with wide, in
| creduious eyes for this good news.
1t is the old story of the darkest hour
| before the dawn he said, and he went
! on to tell her that that morning had
| come to him paper from the little town
| where they We're born, and in it was an
| advertisement for Jane Stanfield, and a
| paragraph telling how an old aunt of
hers had died and left her fortune to the
| niece; there was much more of 1t than
any one had ever IIspected, some $780,
600, was waiting for the woman who had
been driven by poverty the night before
| to attempt suicide. Jane dropped her
| head back against her chair and the
| tears flowed silently down her checks as
with closed eyes and in silence she lis
| tened Harry talked on to try and give
| her time TO command herself: at last.
| with change of Voice, he said:
Jennie, do sou want me TO help you
In any way about Allen-do you love him
| yet-do you want 10 find him?''
She looked at him: his face was white
and set. And you would help me TO find
| hm?" she said
| I'D do anything 20 make you happy.
| Jennie
Sue rose andlaid one hand on his shoulder.