The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1901-03-08


the happiness-I should have married
her before now"
Janetta gave him a quick look of
sympathy
you think it might have cured
her?"
Il should have tried it," replied the
Doctor quietly.
But II 1t hadn't, how miserable she
would have been"
1T would be the fault of her husband
If she were So" replied the Doctor,
with rather an odd little smile.
Poor fellow" thought Janetta, che
cares for her himself. What strong,
tender nature he has hidden behind
that cold manner"
Then / can do nothing" she said
aloud, "and l wish to do so much! !
would do anything that lay in my
power to help make her we'll"
For the first time Doctor Drake re-
garded her attentively. There was no
doubt of the sincerity Of the speaker.
"You can do much" he said kindly.
Help her to forget herself, keep her
bright and cheerful; and if, by whole
some contradiction, you could trick her
into doing little more, you would be
of real service"
They both laughed, for Clarice's way
wardness was apparent to every one
that came into contact with her; and
Janetta remembered how often she
had come down stairs, or went out for
drive, in opposition to the expressed
wish of the Doctor.
Il am glad you spoke to me-" he
said, holding out his hand. 81 feel as
IL we had come to better understand
ing"
His last sentence was overheard by
Mrs. Mortimer, who advanced with cat
like tread down the street. She did
not stop, only bowed to the pair who
seemed absorbed in such earnest con-
versation, with rather meaning smile,
and passed over to the other side OF
the street.
"The chit the deceitful chit. So that
Is the business that took her out in
such hurry this morning! She is
determined to have more than one
string to her bow. | wonder what the
better understanding may be-" said
Mrs. Mortimer under her breath, IS
she looked after Janetta's retreating
figure.
After that conversation with the
Doctor, Janetta redoubled her efforts to
brighten Clarice's life.
Il feel your wings about me night
and day." said Clarice, smiling at her
Didn't hear you creep into my room
in the middle Of the night?"
yes" Janetta confessed. Il thought
heard you move, and that l might
put you off to sleep again by reading
aloud"
do you sleep with your door open,
them" asked Clarice.
Janetta laughed and nodded.
81 like to be close at hand if you
want me-"
But how can l repay devotion like
yours? You will stay with me always,
Janetta?"
Until you marry, if you wish it."
"And when will that be, I wonder?'
said Clarice, with a quick sigh.
when Captain Merivale comes
home again." Janetta replied.
Its just that decided way OF yours
that keeps hope alive"
They were sitting in the drawing
room after dinner. Mrs. Mortimer
had gone up stairs to write letters. A
violent ring at the bell made the girls
look at each other in quick surprise.
"a caller at this time in the even
ing?" said Clarice. Just tell Mason
that unless 1t is Doctor Drake / can
see nobody"
There was only time to issue the
order before Mason reached the door,
and then a mans voice was heard
speaking in the hall, thick, hesitating,
argumentative, and Janetta's heart
stood still. The voice was Neville's.
Every vestige of color went from her
face. A visit from Neville at this
hour could bode no good
ct think it is some one asking for
me-" she said, trying to steady her
voice. will you excuse me for mo-
ment?"
without waiting for an answer, she
went quickly into the hall; and there
stood Neville, with foolish smile on
his face. trying to explain to Mason
that it was Miss Howard, not Miss Sey-
mour. he wished to speak to.
Neville, come this way!" said ia
Meta sharply, putting hand on his
arm to steady his steps, for at the first
glance it was evident that the boy had
had more than enough to drink. Mason
followed. them into the study, where
Janetta took her brother, stirred the
fire. and turned up the gas with slow
deliberation; and Janetta was con-
scious through every fiber of her be-
ing that the parlor maid knew her
brothers condition as well as she did,
and she smarted under the humiliation
and disgrace
THAT will do. thank you. Mason, "
she said, closing the door behind the
maid. Neville, what has brought you
here at this hour and" Her tongue