Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1901-04-05

my true position; but I must remen1
Der my own, and respect Its conditions.
It does not seem fitting to take your
gifts and call you by your name whom
am really your paid companion. We
are not on equal terms" 49,
1T seems to be as II we were O
very equal terms; both Of us are Or
phans-at least, I think you told me
that you had neither father nor mother
living"
Yes. they are both dead said Jan.
eta shortly.
And because happen to have more
money than you, why should you mind
IT now and then it pleases me to give
you things? I have not many pleas.
ures."
You don't really know me, you see.
In your generous. impulsive fashion,
you've invested me with various quail.
tiles which, as you know me better
you'll find do not possess"
You think my friendship is like
Jonah's gourd-that it will withcr in
day or so" said C:arice petulantly.
Whatever topic Of conversation
might be started, Janetta noticed tina
1T always veered round to one or twL
subjects-either Captain Me:ivale, O.
the likelihood of Clarices recovery
With heart at leisure from itself
she grew day by day more painfully
interested in what the future might
hold in store for the two whose love-
story was being enacted before he
eyes.
Sometimes she suspected that the
passion of devotion must always have
been more on her side than his. His
manner to her was gracefully affection
ate; but for herself she felt that she
would have demanded somethn.
warmer from the man she was going
to marry.
Il shall go to India with much
easier mind now that l know Clarice
has some one with her who will make
her life so bright" said Captain Meri-
vale one afternoon, as they were re.
turning from a walk by the sea.
1T is good of you to say that" Jan
eta answered. II need not assure
you that I'll do everything I can to
make Miss Seymour happy. She's the
kindest friend l ever had, and I'm
glad I've got to know you so WELL
like to think that, when she gets bet
ter and you marry, shall feel that
I may keep you both as friends"
Captain Merivale did not answer for
minute, and Janetta glanced up at
him a little uneasily, and saw that
he had turned rather white.
YES he said carelessly, we've
been capital friends ever since we met
in that curious way on the railway,
and pulled you through the window"
Janetta felt puzzled and hurt by his
manner. His tone was studiedly in
different, and he referred pointedly to
what had been, rather than to what
might be in the future. She thought,
with bitter modification, that in her
eager sympathy with him and Clarice
she had proffered friendship which had
evidently been regarded as an import
inence.
with all my boasted independence
I've forgotten my position" she said
to herself reddeEing with vexation;
but her resolve was taken at the risk
Of vexing Clarice, she would have no
more walks or talks with Captain
Merivale.
She did not make her way as usual
to Clarice's room that afternoon when
she came in from her walk. She felt
as in her inward annoyance might find
expression in her face. She was con-
siderably surprised as she entered her
bedroom to hear the quick shutting OF
drawer, and Mason, with some ap-
pearance Of confusion, began to close
the window and draw the blind.
Janetta was certainly not suspicious
by nature, but the girls manner made
her feel certain that she had been
tampering with her things.
(To be Continued)