The San Francisco call., 1905-04-30

copyright, 1905. by Belle Maniates)
bh0 ONE, pa" commanded Jane
WI Tivy in bright, sharp tones.
lN Titus Tivy, a meek, un-
dersized man, responded
" to the summons and stood
unresistingly before his daughter wnlle
in accordance with her bi-weekly GUS
tom she prepared him for his trip TO
town. First she deftly folded muf-
fer about his neck, buttoned his great
coat snugly over it and then put on
his cap, tying the earlaps in place She
next handed him the memorandum Tor
groceries and letter TO mail with in
structions to carry 1t in his hand all
the way '1est he forget"
When he had taken his seat in the
wagon amid the molasses Jug, kero-
sene can and butter crooks, she put
soapstone at his feet and tucked
about him heavy blanket shawl IN
lieu Of laprobe. albeit the day was
bright and sparkling.
When he had driven away she went
serenely into the house to put the
finishing touches to the toilet OF her
sister Rose, a girl of fourteen years.
Rose did not submit to her costuning
as meekly as her father had done. She
pouted at the hanging braids of hair,
bucked against the white apron and
begged for dip to her blouse. Jane
authoritatively silenced and oyerruled
these objections and Rose went sui
lenly to school
For five years, since the death. Of
her mother, Jane had held tight rein
over the household, and its members
were strictly under Jane-rule. She was
a woman of convictions; one Of them
was that her duty clearly lay in man
aging the affairs Of others People
were afraid of Jane. They submitted
to. her domineering or avoided 1t.
There lived a man on an adjoining
farm, however. who was not afraid or
Jane. For some time he had resolved
to introduce her to her true self, and
he had chosen this morning to do It,
Drop your work, Jane, and sit down.
/ want to talk to YOU"
well, Joel. I guess you'll have to
choose some other time for visiting.
I'm no lady Of leisure. This is my
time TO work"
Jane" said Joel with a new. quiet
ring In his voice, you are going to
listen to me now. have waited your
convenience just as long as am going
tor
James nostrils dilated dangerously,
but her heart beat faster than it ever
had before, although she had kept
company" with Joel for six years.
II have waited six years for you to
name the day, Jane. If you don't do
it, I shall. After your mothers death
1t was reasonable to expect TO wait
a year or maybe two, but I'll wait no
longer"
Jane was returning to her normal
condition
1--WE must wait year." she decreed.
rThe mortgage will be paid then Rose
will be through school,
you'll marry me a month from to-
day or not at all.' he said composedly.
Jane jumped to her feet
Indeed! Well, am not going to
be forced or threatened by you. Joel
Dixon! I'll not marry you until see
fit."
Jane he replied coolly, you are
acting under the mistake Of thinking
you are necessary to your father and
Rose. They'd get along great deal
better without you-or more to their
liking anyway"
Having thus spoken, Joel departed
and Jane returned TO the abstracted
washing Of dishes, with new food for
thought.
When her father was unfolding the
ssWingville weekly that afternoon,
she astonished him by saying:
PA. haven't I managed the house
well and kept up things since ma
died?"
Titus Tiyy peered at her over his
lspectacles and paper. He did not an
swer with the alacrity she had ex-
pected.
"Well, Janet" he finally said, Il
guess you're the best cook and house
keeper in these parts There amt q
lazy bone In your body