Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-03-13
QUIET MISS LANE.



slippinr in and out Of tho dining room,
and at tho table scarcely ever 'entureu
more than polite remark on the cohdi-
tion of the weather unless first addressed
by some one.
TWAS merry company that gathered
around Mrs. Martins table three times Il
doy. The elocution students fought AMIGA
ble battles over tho merits of their respcc-
| tive schools; the technology boy cracked
Jokes or propounded conundrums. Mr.
Herbert had always some interesting story
to tell.
"How do you like her?" the black hair
ed elocution student asked the technology
boy one day not long after 1sabel's arrival.
ooh, she's no good don't take any
stock in her." was the crushing reply Vi
this astute youth.
Which serves to show that Isabel Lane
with her reserved, rGticent manner, was
not popular at tho boarding house. She
had ACQUIRED habit of silence. Not caring
for the girlish pleasures of her stepsisters,
she had lived in an inner world OF her
own, growing to woman's estate under
home influences that repressed her person.
alitv until the force within made her seek
expression in writing, first in voluminous
journals, then in more ambitious attempts
Mt fiction. She submitted some Of these
tales to the criticism Of q literary bureau
and was encouraged to keep on. Her de-
pendent life reused within her strong de-
sire to earn her own livelihood with her
pen work; but, handicapped by lack OF
physical strength, she did not make head
way.
Isabel was &c years old. She had never
received an offer of marriage. Her sisters
were settled in homes of their own, but the
commonplace young men they chose FOR
husbands could not satisfy lsabel's needs
and ideals. In their turn, they thought
her cold and intolerant of men, and Isabel
herself began by this time to hold rather
pessimistic views regarding the wisdom OF
woman's natural destiny.
"What do you make of her, Herbert!'
asked Frank Brewer, the young doctor
taking postgraduate work, who shared
Mr.. Herbert's bachelor apartments
He was a handsome fellow, taller than
his friend, with an athletic figure, alert
expressive features, golden brown mus
tache and hair Herbert was reading. He
turned the magazine face downward on
the table and clasped his hands refectively
behind his head.
"Her face shows character and intellect
like it. But she doesn't take healthy
interest in her looks. / want to get q
chance to talk to her"
'She won't say anything to you."
"Well, we'll see think she will.
Frank seated himself at the piano. he
was an intense lover of music and played
well.
The room where the two men sat betok-
ened artistic TASTE with its collection OF
pictures and articles Of vertu. Mr.. Her
bert had travelled extensively and was re-
puted to be independent of his profession
that of architect and designer He also
was thought to be good &oking man
There were no gray threads Visible in his
dark hair and beard, though he was many
years Franks senior.
1t was Sunday afternoon early in De-
cember The rain, which had fallen all
day, now turned into a gray mist that
shrouded the city like a veil upon the face
Of an erring woman.
"Let us have the family come in to-
night. No one will care to 60 out, and we
can have some singing" Frank said and
stopped playing to hear what Herbert
would say. He answered abstractedly,
GIVE no objections.
The boarders came after supper, and
Isabel was prevailed upon to accompany
them. She kept closely at Mrs. Martins
side, listening to the gay talk, but taking
no part in it. She looked prettier than
usual in what was evidently new gown
of shade of violet which was very be-
coming.
After awhile Herbert, who had been
furtively watching her for some time,
came to her side and said in the most
winning tones:
II am told that you sing, Miss Lane
Won't you favor us this EVENING""
Isabel looked startled. Then she said
simply:
Certainly, If it will give you pleasure. :"
And, seating herself at the piano, she sang
Chadwick S exquisite setting of transla-
ton from the German, by LoDgfellow, be-
ginning, "Allah gives light in darkness. :"
Explanations of delight were heard
from all as the closing chord vibrated into
silence.
"Do sing it again." Herbert said ear
nestly.
She complied with his request, and then
rose to leave the instrument.
'Ah, don't stop now!" Frank Brewer
I pleaded, coming to her side.
She smiled at him. LET me play for
the rest to sing" she said. All voices
Joined in the strains of the familiar hymn
she played.
4 After the company separated for the
night, and they were alone, Herbert said:
II had quite talk with Miss Lane. l
found her an interesting woman, a little
morbid and interpretive. She needs sym
! pathy and friendliness to draw her out. |
am going to help her with her work. She
writes, you know"
tives?"
"A stepmother, who, infer, is far from
being congenal. She lives with her in a
small country place. forget what she
called it,
Frank stared at an etching on the wall
before him. He said nothing, and Her
bert continued
''She came here for change of scene;
! hasn't been well of late She needs healthy
contact with people She is too fine
raffine, as the French say"
| Then, seeing that Frank was not inclin-
cd to talk, he wound the little clock on
the mantle and retired to the adjoining
room for the night.
| Frank sat absorbed in his thoughts He
knew very few women. In his family
there were no children save himself and
his brother, who bad died within the past
year The affection that had existed be
tween them was unusually strong and
tender. He wondered why he and Dan
never went through the experience of fall
ing in love.
no hax-pnd oil tbot