Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-05-01

Eyes" answered Jane, with vigor'
GUS little nod Of her head and peal OF
laughter
"Then drop back with me-" I re-
sponded. ~.
The princess looked at us with hair
smile, half frown, and remarked, "Now
you doubtless consider yourselves very
brilliant and witty"
eyes" returned Jane maliciously,
nodding her head in emphatic assent
as the princess and Brandon rode on
before us.
81 hope she is satisfied now" SAID
Jane soto voce to me.
$50 YOU want me to ride with your
l replied.
"Yes," nodded Jane.
"Why?" asked.
because l want you to-" was the
enlightening response.
"Then why did you not dance with
me the other eveningY
Because did not want to-"
"Short, but comprehensive" thought
I. "but a sufficient reason for q maid
en-
said nothing, however, and after
time Jane spoke: 1.-THE dance was one
thing and riding with you Is another.
did not wish to dance with you, but
do wish to ride with you. You are the
only gentleman to whom I would have
said what did about my girth being
loose. As to the new dance, l DO not
care to learn it, because would not
dance 1t with any man but you, and
not even with you-yet." This MADE
me glad, and coming from coy, modest
Jane meant great deal. It meant
that she cared for me and would some
day be mine, but it also meant that she
would take her own time and her own
sweet way in being won. This was
comforting, II not satisfying, ana zoos
ened my tongue. Jane, you know my
heart is full of love for YOU
"Will the universe crumble" she
cried, with the most provoking little
laugh. Now, that sentence was my
rock ahead whenever | tried to give
lane some idea of the state of my ar
fections. 1t was part OF the speech
which had prepared and delivered TO
Mary In James hearing, as you already
know. had said to the princess, "Ihe
universe will crumble and the heavens
roll I'D as a scroll ere my love shall al
fer or pale" 1t was high sounding
sentence, but it was not true, as was
forced to admit, almost with the same
breath that spoke it. Jane had heard
II and had stored it away in that men,
ory of hers so tenacious in holding TO
everything 1t should forget. 1t Is won
derful what fund of useless informa-
tion some persons accumulate and cling
to with persistent determination wor-
thy of better cause. thought Jane
never would forget that unfortunate.
abominable sentence spoken so gran
dilouuently to Mary. l wonder what
she would have thought had she known
that had said substantially the same
thing to dozen others. never should
have won her in that case. She does
not know 1t yet and never shall II
can prevent.
So Jane halted my effort to pour out
nv heart, as she always did.
.There is something that greatly
troubles me-" she said.
"What is TT" l asked in some con-
Germ.
"My mistress" she answered, nod
ding in the direction of the two riding
ahead of us. II never saw her SC
much interested in any one as she is IN
YOUR friend, Master Brandon. Not that
she is really in love with him as YET
perhaps. but fear it is coming, and
dread to see it. That incident of the
loose girth is an illustration DID you
ever know anything so bold and trans
parent? Any one could see through 1t
and the worst Of all is she seems moi
to care If every one does see. Now iooF
at them ahead Of us! No girl Is sc
happy riding beside man unless she
is interested in him. She was dul
enough until he joined her. He seemed
in no hurry to come, so she resorted Il
the fimsy excuse of the loose girth t.
bring him. | am surprised that She
even sought the shadow of an excuse
but did not order him forward withou
any pretense of one. oh, don't know
what to do! 1t troubles me greatly
Do you know the state Of his feel
ings"
. NO" answered, "but l think he II
heart whole or nearly so. He told MT
he was not fool enough to fall in low
!. with the kings sister, and really be
/ lieve he will keep his heart and head
even at that dizzy height. He is COO
fellow, if there ever was one"
, "He certainly is different from othe
men," returned Jane. 81 think he ha
: never spoken word of love to her
, He has said some pretty things. whicl
she has repeated to me; has moralizet
/, to some extent. and has actually toll
t her of some of her faults. l SHOULD
like to see any one else take that lib
erty. She seems to like it from him
and says he inspires her with higher
better motives and yearning to b.
good, but | am sure he has made N
3 love to her"
"Perhaps 1t would be better If he did
1t might cure her." l replied.
q "Oh, no, no! Not now! At first. per
haps, but not now. What fear is tina
+ if he remains silent much longer sh'
: will take matters in hand and speal
/, herself. don't like to say that i
s doesn't sound well-but she Is prin
i cess, and it would be different will
g her from what it would be with an or
e binary girl. She might have to speal
O first. or there might be no speakin;