Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-10-12
When Wooinx
Jane
BY FANNIE HAESLlp LEA
Copyright, 1906, by Fannie ffaeslip Lea


Jane came slowly down the stairway,
hesitated a moment at the library door,
then gave herself a mental push and
entered.
I'm sorry I've kept You waiting"
she said swectly. trailing her violet
chiffons across the polished floor. The
big man beside tho fireplace ignored
preliminaries. lie looked from her
eyes to the cluster Of double violets
on her breast.
II see you got my fowers--and the
message"
She nodded. 1.-THE violets are dear
aud I'm sorry you're going away. It
isn't for long, Is III" with timid hesita.
ton.
For good and oil. I leave tonight
on the IL o'clock train. so that I haven't
much time"
"Oh, tonight" said Jane and sat
down with apparent Indifference and a
real need for support.
He leaned one elbow on the mantel.
shelf and lowered over her.
They've given me a splendid place
In South Carolina. It's what I have
been waiting for, and it's come like n
shot. I only got the appointment to-
day"
II congratulate YOU" said Jane, won.
dering what there was In the world to
live for. after all.
He looked AT bcr for a moment in
silence. and she looked at her vioiets
through a queer grayish mist.
Jane" he said at last. you know
what it Is I want to ask you, don't
your"
james heart missed a beat unac-
countably, then throbbed like mad to
make up for lost time. She tried to
speak.
"Ja-ane," called n voice in the hail.
"Where are you, Jaue:'
shes In the library" Jane heard her
sister answer. SISTER, here's Lillian"
Just a minute pleaded Jane half
aloud and ran u of the room.
Thurston heard a murmur Of voices
in the hall.
II won't stny-no, Indeed, I won't"
said one, and another. James own, an
swered-he realized with satisfaction,
not quite regrctfully ~ wish you
would
There was n soft furry Of skirts. n
nervous little laugh, and Jane came
slowly back into the room.
at was Lillian she explained. I'VE
run In on each other at all hours, aud
she didn't know you were here, so she
wouldn't
Il haven't much time" said Thur
ston gently. Lets not waste it on LII
lian. Do YOU remember what l was
saying"
Jane remembered.
TELL me. then" said the man. as it
worth while my saying it-don't We
"Some ones coming" breathed Jane,
In time.
Jane" said a mild voice from the
door, 1.-THE maid said your mother was
here. Why do you have the room so
dark, child! ! can't see Il thing. Why
don't you light another lamp"
ooh, Aunt Jane" cried her name
sake, stepping forward with weak eff.
fusiveness and presenting a dutiful
cheek to be kissed. This is Mr.. Thur
ston-you remember him, don't you?"
"Oh, yes," said Aunt Jane. yes, in
deed. l suppose you're n Of the In.
diana Thurstons? had n very dear
friend once, Harriet Barnes, who mar.
ried n Thurston from Indiana. Any
connection Of yours"
Not that I know Of" rejoined Thur
ston. with tense %politeness. I'VE are n
New York faHily."
II never heard of that branch" said
Aunt Jane, with an air that ~discrelited
1t at once "Where did you say your
mother was, Janie?'
Upstairs, dear Aunt Jane. She'll be
SO glad
Are you quite well. Janie?" asked
the old lady suddenly. Your cheeks
are SO fluahed and your hands are
quite cold; you're not %shivering, are
you? She's such an imprudent thing.
Mr.. Thurstop."
Aunt Jane!' called n voice from the
head OF the stairway. And Aunt Jane
departed.
They waited TIL the door had closed
behind her. "Another half hour gone"
said Ihurston. with angry tenderness.
"Your hands are cold and your cheeks
the prettiest pink. Is it because
you
"Oh. watt" she pleaded. drawing
away from him. I'm sure l heard
some one IN the hall-plensc."
II don't care II the whole world were
just outside the door. and 1t apparently
is." said Ihurston. II want you to
answer the question I've been trying
to ask all the evening-wiM you
"There IL some one" whispered Jane
Historically. and fingtng herself into
Il chair just as Bobby Martin. noisily
cheerful and sure OF welcome. burst
into the rOom.
"Just got n WIRE" he cried gayly.
Passed my exams. Jane. knew
you'd be dying TO hear. SO l thought I'd
run over and let you know. Hello,
Thurston! Isn't 1t bully, Jane? I'm
going up next week"
How do You dof" said Thurston fu.
riously.
Perfectly fine" said Jane. endeavor'
ing vainly to inject some enthusiasm
into her tone. You can't think how
glad I am. Bobby"