The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-03-08
Modern
Pandora
By LueIIen Tssers
Copyright. 1900. by T. C. Mcclure


Janet Allston quickly seized her suit
r"se and started out as the train thun-
into the station at the little re-
eager to make her escape before
darlington. who sat in the back of the
car, should espy her. In his party
she recognized a supercilious beauty
whose name had lately been signifi-
cantly linked with his, and several
comfortable looking dowagers who had
come down, as she, TO either stay with
friends or at the big hotel over the
regular Saturday night hop.
She felt ashamed of her innumerable
bundles. each breathing its own secret
of chocolates, early hotbouse peaches
for dear Aunt Caroline, and some mag
azines.
Cousin Toms happy, ruddy face was
not visible among the crowd Of people
on the platform. She glanced around
in desperation, anxious to secure the
services of a hackman to carry her at
once to her destination, but beyond q
few private vehicles there was nothing
available.
Over her shoulder sounded Caring
toms deep voice and Lillian Rogers sill
very, airy laughter. She started nerv-
ously, dropping the telltale parcel Of
peaches, which scattered compromis-
ingly in all directions through the
throng.
LET me help your Darlington jump
ed with alacrity TO her aid. restoring
the downy, pink checked fruit to her
arms.
An icy Thank you" rewarded him.
Womanlike, angry at the innocent Of
fender. she felt like venting her dis
pleasure on him.
Il suppose your cousin meets your
he inquired. pausing for a second as
the ladies accompanying him moved
on.
"Oh, yes," she replied lightly. hoping
that he would not detect the delin-
Quent's absence.
She squared her back on the group as
the Darlington trap, In the hands Of c
trim groom, rolled noiselessly up, and
the ladies were helped in There was 9
whir Of rushing wheels. and a cloud Of
dust indicated its flight down the coun.
try road. Tears Of modification and
anger welled up In her eyes. Were II
not so far she would walk the distance
bundles, suit case and all. A BLACK
speck was coming rapidly toward hel
far up the highway. 1t finally revealed
red and black wheels. A sensation OF
mingled annoyance, pride and timidity
swept over her as she saw that, after
all, it was not her cousin. but Caring
ton, who had evidently lost no time In
returning from his stables.
Il suppose your relatives didn't ex
pect you until the 5:3O," he said pleas
antly as he drove up. 81 was afraid
you would attempt to walk the dis
tance. Won't you let me drive yor
overT
THANK you'll will wait for Tom,
she said, blushing at the falsity Of hel
position.
~ came back purposely to get you,
he went on, ignoring her discouraginl
glance. Its hard on the peaches
They'll be overripe II you keep them II
this hot sun much longer. Come
please"
She hesitated visibly. "For the SAX,
Of the peaches, then" she assented
reaching him her parcels.
Il will not question the conditions,
| he replied.
"It would be of no USE" she answer
ed In his vein, "for l never argue"
They drove smoothly over the white
| threadlike road, under the canopy o.
trees, talking indifferently on superb
cial subjects, the man not insensible I,
| the charm of her laughing eyes and nu
brown face, the girl responsive to ever,
flash of his blue eyes and inwardly de
| lighting in his slightest mannerism
| Between them lay the unconfessed 5ol
| of a past summer time, when he hat
been her constant attendant at thi
same place, until golden haired Lilial
| Royer arrived one day as guest o
his mother. Involuntarily she sighed
and the man. finding its echo in hi
own heart, repeated it.
You will be at the hop tonightg" b
asked as he deposited her at her desti
| nation.
MY frock is here" She pointed t
her suit case.
Your cousin said Egerton was com
ing down too." He watched her fac
narrowly as he spoke.
"A later train" she said evenly. a.
decided to come on the 3 O'Clock spe
cial."
He could make nothing of her ex
PLANTATION. however. as he thought he
words over after leaving her. Surely
il report were true that the two wer
In love and to be married. it looke'
odd that they did not plan to arriy
on the same train His mind revolve'
on Janet's speech in spite of his al
tempts to dismiss it.
Janet promptly thought no NOR
abops him, unable long ago to find a
excuse for his changed behavior. Oper
ing her suit case, she began to dra'
out her small wardrobe. The article
seemed peculiarly unfamiliar. She shu
1t hastily. intently scanning the modes
initials, u. A" on the side 1t surel
was hers, but how could it be whe
before her was a vision of fluffy, lac
trimmed pink crepe de chine, with
low cut bodice bordered with daint
wild roses; pink silk stockings. a pin
fan, a rose spray for the hair and dow
in one corner pair Of high heeled pin
slippers? What hallucination Of tn
brain was this, or was 1t the trump
of an aggregation of the days ammo,
ances?
She laughed and cried hystericall.
They BELONGED to somebody else hI