The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-16
A PRETTY - ~
- - COMPAN MON
X x X :: Xxx Xxx X X X X X !: !: x
BY Louise Bedford.
CHAPTER xIII.

CHAPTER XIII.
To Clarice, the consciousness of a
new lover, who waited only for the
faintest sign Of encouragement from
her to declare himself brought I'M
doubted consolation for the effort it
had cost her to renounce the old love;
but Janetta dropped and pinned for
some tidings Of the man who had taken
her heart by storm and held it fast
Harry Merivale.
She saw his arrival in England re-
corded in the daily paper. Later on
she noticed that his valuable services
In the late campaign were to be re-
warded by high appointment in the
war Office.
"Janetta," said Clarice, one day In
June. "are you going to wear black
clothes for the rest of your days? It's
more than year since your brother
died"
"I'll go into colors again, If you
Ike" answered Janetta, obedient to
Clarice's faintest wish. Come up
with me to London tomorrow and you
shall choose my dresses for me-"
I'm afraid you must go alone, jan
eta, because-because Sir Robert has
), telegraphed to say that he will be here
and. Il must be at home to receive
him"
Janetta looked up quickly, and Clar-
ices eyes fell before the questioning
glance. els it that you have given him
leave to come. Clarice?"
We'll. yes" Clarice admitted. half
:. reluctantly. Gle loves me as believe
never woman was loved before-a mill
lion times more than I'm worth loving
and I'm going to marry him. And
I've got it into my head that wish
you to mark the occasion by dropping
your black frock. So go to London and
come back in the prettiest dress you
can buy"
"Oh, my dear, my dear" cried jan
eta, between laughter and tears, chow
happy you have made mellow happy
you will make the man who marries
you! I'm so glad, so glad, that feel
as it could sob my heart out for very
JOY"
That day Clarice wrote short note
to Harry Merivale asking him to come
down on the following Afternoon and
spend the night at Sea Grange.
Surely it is time we met again." she
wrote. She said nothing of her invita-
ton to Janetta; but asked her to be
sure and return to Northcliff by GER
tain train she named in the afternoon.
"And you are to come back in that
new frock. Janetta. Sir Robert will
be here. remember"
So it came to pass that, on thatSJune
afternoon. Janetta stood on the plat
form of London station, prepared to
return to Northcliff. She was dressed
in pale gray costume, with soft frills
about her throat, and large gray hat
with dropping feathers, and stood by
the door of her carriage. unconscious
Of the many glances Of admiration that
were cast at her as the passengers hur-
ried by.
She was thinking of her first journey
to Northcliff, only sixteen months ago,
and feeling that a lifetime seemed to
have passed since then.
Good evening, Miss Howard. Shall
we travel together?" said voice be-
hind her. And, turning, she found
herself face to face with the man Of
her dreams.
It was impossible to keep the tumul-
tuous Joy that his presence brought
with it out Of her greeting.
A fabulously large tip to the guard
insured their privacy; and Harry could
not repress little triumphant laugh
as the train steamed out of the sta
ton.
Then for the first time Janetta
trusted herself to look steadily at him.
He was bronzed with exposure to sun
and weather; he was thinner, too; per-
haps not so strictly handsome as when
he had gone away. but the face had
gained much in nobility.
"Yesu knew should come. Janetta.
You were certain that, when it seemed
right and fitting, should Gomez"
Il was not quite sure" Janetta fall
tered,
"Then you ought to have been, my
darling, my darling!" said Harry.
drawing nearer. 81 can't be mistaken,
Janetta. Love like mine have its echo
in your heart"
Eyes," said Janetta, simply. And
the next instant Harry's arms closed
round her.
ooh, what will clarice say?" cried
Janetta, when the train drew up at
Northcliff an hour or so later.
"She is here to speak for herself"
said Harry, jumping on the platform,
and Drake is with her."
(The End.)