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

CHAPTER nv.

sanionce from the accident, then rose
W. acl,ed leave to retire for the night.
g." won can go if you WISH" said
c,orce. "but please don't imagine that
Hurry and l always need to be le1e
.naethpr, l am generally down in the
sr,v;nr room in the evening. To-
Won't was an exception, Goodnight.
1s1 me If you are not comfortable. !"
captain Merivale rose and opened
the door.
Then Janctta bethought herself that
q would only he courteous to return
stairs and wish Mrs Mortimer
,,ood-night. She found her seated be-
fore the fire, reading novel.
..The interview was a long one, and
therefore conclude successful" she
s,id laying down the volume.
Miss Seymour is quite delightful,
and kinder than words can say" an
sweved Janetta eagerly.
+ And you feel the worl1 beneath
vo,,r feet? So it may be for a time
Won will be the reigning favorite, just
because you happen to be blessed with
handsome face and figure. Prize
them whilst you have them; when you
lose them the world will pass you BY"
THE world, perhaps; but not those
whose love one has won already. l
shall think poorly of myself if l have
not made single friend
It was the second effort Janetta had
made in their brief acquaintance to
reach Mrs. Mortimer's sympathy; ap-
parently it failed.
Shall you like it when you see an
other step into your shoes?"
Janetta rose. l am very tired. Will
YOU think it rude of me if I go to bed?'
she said, not answering the question.
Mrs. Mortimer's attitude towards her
did not greatly disturb her. She had
bright, wholesome nature, and felt
II possible to outlive the lady's I'M
spoken jealousy.
Besides, the days that followed were
so full of delightful and exciting ex'
periences that she had no time to
trouble her head with what Mrs. Mort
liner thought about her.
Clarice Seymour had taken an i'm
pulsive liking for her new companion,
and poured tokens of her favor upon
her. The very difference Of character
between the girls possibly made them
greater friends.
Janetta was strong, self-reliant, and
self contained, even-tempered, and &C
customed to give help rather than re-
seivo it; Clarice was capricious as the
iSather-one day all smiles and sun
NE, the next at war with herself
4 he world, railing at the fate that
i her helplessly tied to the sofa.
4 through all her varying moods
y Possessed fascination for all
\ her; and Janetta condoned her
B lness and waywardness for the
\ and charm that peeped out con-
lily. even is her most irritable
hents, like specks CT blue sky on
l loudly day.
AAHow old are you?" asked Clarice
Suddenly, when Janetta had been with
her for about a week. II believe you
are years younger than am, and yet
you have kind Of motherly way with
me when I'm wicked and cross, as
am today"
I'm two-and-twenty," said Ianetta,
with laugh.
And | am four years your senior,
and yet I feel as if l were child and
you a woman; you are so tall and
strong. and you make me feel COM
Portable even when you are sitting
in the room. You are making me y
monster of selfishness. Do you know
you've scarcely been out of the house
since you came?"
Il don't want to go out. I'm never
dull with YOU
I've told Harry it must not go on"
said Clarice. Eve sent him off to
hire bicycle for you, and he'll take
you out; it will cheer you both up. l
wonder sometimes If Harry will get
tired of waiting for me-do yoN?"
Il think the very fact that you arc
delicate, and need so much petting and
love, would make me love you all the
more said Janetta.
All! that's woman's view. won
der if it's Harry's. l often want to
ask him, and I'm such a coward dare
not. If he wants his freedom he must
ask for it; I will not give it him."
Il think" Janetta said, rising to
rcarrange Clarice's cushions, IF you
fret yourself over imaginary ills you
won't be down tonight"
Il shall if you leave me quiet" cried
Clarice, who had not ceased talking for
the past hour. you'll promise that
you'll 90 out with Harry?"
oh, yes; I'll go if you like said
Janetta, who was learning that the
simplest way of managing Clarice was
to humor her whims.
She looked such a picture of grace
and strength when she came down
ready equipped for her ride, in a neat
ly-made coat and skirt of some dark
relieved only by a bright
colored ribbon in her sailor hat, that
captain Merivale gave her an inyolun-
tary glance of admiration.
My mistress orders are that I'm to
nv f~,, y l.