The San Francisco call., 1905-04-30
James Humbling
By Belle Maniates

Jane was not satisfied.
That is not what mean. Haven't
things been as you liked? I've always
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 pleasurs in
good clothes il you can't wear them as
you want tori -Afe 1e<
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 well
come. But Roses speech rankled and
fingered in her memory through the
week, and she anxiously awaited what
Saturday might bring forth.
1t brought Joel Just as she was start
ing her father for town. As Titus gath
cred up the reins Jane intercepted the
exchange Of winks between her father
and her lover. This troubled her. and
she was in a 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 her
self to be led or rushed through the
orchard and down the hill to where the
road wound It's way.
Now. stand behind this tree and
watch out" he said.
Wondering II he had gone crazy, she
did as he directed. She saw her father
drive Jogging Fleetfoot up to a zigzag
corner of the rail fence. get out. take
the soapstone. wrap 1t In the shawl and
pitch it behind stump. Then he un-
buttoned his coat, threw his muffier un-
der the cushion. took or his cap,
doubled back the earlaps inside the
crown, put the letter and memorandum
In his pocket. get back IN the buggy
and drive away.
Jane looked at Joel. light OF new
intelligence creeping into her eyes.
Has he
He has. For ffve years. He knows
what he wants and has had his own
way right along. only he thought It
having yours"
She turned back toward the house,
Joel accompanying her.
~I 10 49, L.
it?" she asked family
Yes; they have thought It good
joke on you. and they liked your
father too well to give him away"
She looked so utterly miserable that
he almost but not quite relented-
NO.. don't go in the house yet" he
said. There goes Rose down the road
When she's out of sight want you TO
follow
1T don't need to-" replied Jane quiet
ly. IT suppose she stops and remakes
her toilet, too"
''Yes, she hides her apron under a
stone, perks up her front hair ana
jerks up the braid to meet It and pulls
down her shirtwaist-"
She sat down on the steps.
Then all these years." she said Dit
terly, i've been failure and joke"
mo, Jane. You have simply made
the mistake great many competent
women make-of wanting TO boss
She was silent. Joel thought he saw
an effort to hide a tear and reit en-
couraged He sat down beside her and
put his. arm about her.
"a month from last Wednesday,
Jane"
she turned her head away.
"Oh. you'd better take Lucy Wicks-
She'd never try to boss YOU You need
a woman with no will Of her own
mo, Jane he said gently turning
her face toward him, Il naed you"