Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-08-24

Jane had forgotten that she turned at
the corner and gazed so earnestly al the
cottage.
When Miss Caroline could no longer
persuade herself that Miss Jane was in
sight she turned slowly back into the
room ''Jane Is only go. she murmur-
ed. Her life is before her and Will
liams child might have been hers. A
pathetic resolutenoss conquered her
fears. She moved quickly though her
limbs tottered She hurried mp stairs
and put ON her outdoor garments. tying
her bonnet strings with uncertain fin
gers But / must learn to do it, she
said To herself. Il must learn to do
without Jane. Sternly checking her
emotion she went down stairs.
Il have never before acted without
her. she whispered. But l cannot.
She is SO generous. She would refuse. ="
She found sheet Of note paper and
wrote upon it 1--WE have only enough
for two, and the child is lame and help
less | have acted for the best
As she pinned the paper on the table
cloth, where it could not be missed, Jo-
seph rubbed himself against her gown.
4 moan escaped her. Not trusting her
self to speak to him, she staggered from
the house and down the garden path.
From long use her eyes wandered to-
ward the lavender bushes. Yes. it was
true The blight was spreading
II am doing right. l am quite sure
am doing right said Miss Caroline
as the gate clicked behind her.
Her lips pressed together in a firm
ness equal to Miss James, and she trod
the weary road with feet that did not
fail
The master of the workhouse was en-
gagged. If she had come for admission.
she must sit in the waiting room till he
could see her.
Miss Caroline stumbled after the por-
ter, seeing nothing of the long darl7
corridor they went through. Dazed and
overcome, she had barely strength
enough to drop on to a chair just inside
the dim room. To her excited imagina-
tion the space seemed to be crowded
with witnesses of her humiliation. In
effect only one other person was there,
and she sat with dOwncast face and
took no notice of the newcomer. Miss
Caroline was bowed with misery and
doubt and longing and regret Sudden
ly the silence was broken. Three strokes
rang out from the workhouse bell
Miss Caroline started up. Three
Three" she cried shrilly. ''Oh, there
might have been enough for three
What if it is God speaking?'
She stood in the middle of the floor,
her head bent little forward listening
for voice again.
''Sister! Sisterl'
The thin, strained cry came from the
other end of the room and shook Miss
Caroline. She fell into her chair.
Jane? You ?" she faltered.
"Yes. sister" said Miss Jane, her
mouth trembling her voice strangely
broken. This is no place for you. You
ought not to be here 1t is l who must
make room for William child -
Neither of us ought to be here. -
sobbed Miss Caroline. "Jane, you ought
not to have come. How could l live
without your
Il couldn't live without you, said
Miss Jane, and they wept together.
BY and by Miss Jane rose. Come,
sister. the poor child will find the house
empty"
But - Miss Caroline hesitated
1.-The clock says Enough for three.
Miss Jane answered firmly. 1--WE must
go.
all eugerness. Think of that poor
child in the empty house, if indeed
she has found her way, and no one at
the station eitherv'
Il gave the busman minute direc-
tions to take her to you, said Miss
Jane, meekly accepting the reproach.
At the gate the porter stopped them.
1.-The master will see You soon. ."
THANK you We will not trouble
him, said Miss Jane with sweet dig
pity.
She supported Miss Caroline along
the road, and the silence was not broken
at once
When the cottage came in sight,
''Sister. you will not do anything so
foolish again, said Miss Jane sternly-
"Not unless you do it first, Jane, "
Miss Caroline answered. Il have always
thought this very beautiful road,
said Miss Jane. And she spoke of the
weather and the scenery and the Grip
pied child.
''She will have poor welcome-not
even cup of tea" sighed Miss Jane
Joseph will welcome her, said Miss
Caroline cheerily. Dear me, how very
pleasant il is to think that thereis some
one at home waiting for us
'It is very pleasant, sister. 1t feels
quite like a home coming. All The fire
is not out can see the smoke rising.
They hurried on toward the gate. Be
fore Miss Caroline's eyes could turn to-