Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-05-19

:
petticoat rule at my house, TOday's
Wednesday. You just think over
what I said, and Saturday about this
time I'll come over again and prove
up what I said. "
Having thus spoken, Joel departed
and Jane returned to the distracted
washing of dishes, with new food for
thought.
When her father was unfolding the
Wingville Weekly that afternoon she
astonished him by saying:
"Pa, haven't I managed the house
well and kept up things since ma
died?"
Titus Tivy peered at her over his
spectacles and paper. He did not
answer with the alacrity she had ex-
pected.
well, Janer" he finally said. Il
guess you're the best cook and house
keeper in these parts. There amt
lazy bone in your body"
Jane was not satisfied.
That is not what I mean. Haven't
things been as you liked? I've al
ways done what I thought was for the
best"
"Why, Jane" he hesitated, your
way may be the best, but folks don't
always want the best way. They want
their own way
Jane said no more then, but when
Rose came in from school she said to
her:
Rose, don't you wear the best
clothes of any girl in SCHOOL,"
Maybe I do, replied Rose little
Grossly, "but what's the pleasure in
good clothes if you can't wear them as
you want to
Again Jane was silenced.
They say, continued Rose pertly,
that Joel Dixon's sweet on the new
teacher
A great fear smote Jane. Then she
rallied. If Joel Dixon wanted little,
meek, clinging vine woman for a wife,
he could take Lucy Wicks and wei
come. But Roses speech ranked and
fingered in her memory through the
week, and she anxiously awaited what
Saturday would bring forth.
1t brought Joel just as she was start
ing her father for town. As Titus
gathered up the reins, Jane intercept
ed the exchange of winks between her
father and her lover. This troubled
her, and she was in puzzled rather
than an antagonistic mood when left
alone with Joel.
Come with me-" he said, taking
her by the arm and marching her out
of the house. Surprised, she suffered
herself to be led or rushed through the
orchard, down the hill to where the
road wound its way.
"Now stand behind this tree and
watch out" he said.
Wondering if he had gone crazy she
did as he directed. She saw her faith
er drive Fleetfoot up to zigzag cor
ner of the rail fence, get out, take the
soapstone, wrap it in the shawl and
pitch it behind a stump. Then he un-
buttoned his coat, threw his mufler
under the cushion, took off his cap,
doubled back the earlaps inside the
crown, put the letter and memorandum
into his pocket, get back into the buggy
and drive away.
Jane looked at Joel, light Of new
intelligence creeping into her eyes.
HAS he
"He has. For FIVE years. He knows
what he wants and has had his own
way right along, only he thought it
was easier to let you think you were
having yours"
She turned back toward the house,
Joel accompanying her.
"And has everyone about here
known it?" she asked family.
eyes they have thought it good
Joke on you, and they liked your faith
er too well to give him away"
She looked 50 utterly miserable that
he almost but not quite relented.
"No, don't go into the house yet, -"
he said. There goes Rose down the
road. When she's out out Of sight l
want you to follow.
u don't need to" replied Jane
quietly. 81 suppose she stops and re-
makes her toilet, too.
"Yes, she hides her apron under a
stone, perks up her front hair and
jerks up the braid to meet it and pulls
down her .hirtwaist."
She sat down on the steps.
"Then all these years," she said BIT