Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1905-12-29
When Wooing
Jane
~ FANNIE HAEsLIp liza
-
Copyri-ht 1904 " Fannie naeaiip Lea

besitated a moment at tic library door,
then gave herself q mental push ana
entered.
'Im sorry I've kept sou waiting
she said sweetiy, trailing her violet
chinons across the polished floor. The
big man beside tie fireplace ignored
preIlmlnarlcs. He looked from her
eyes to tie cluster OF double vIolets
on her breast.
Il see you got my howers-ond the
MESSAGE
she nCdded. 'sTha violets are dear
and I'm sorry you're going away. II
isn't for long, Is itf7 with tmid hesita.
ton.
"For good and ell. j leave tonlnat
on the II O'Clock train, SO that / harcnt
much time"
'Oh, ton;ghtr' said Jano asst
down with apparent indi4q and6a
real need for support.
He leaned ono eibow tie mantel-
shelf and lowered oven ct
They've given m splendid place
in South Caroline what l have
been waitlat lof. hNdit' come Ike a
shot I onlS lfs appointment to-
day"
II congratulate you" said Jane. Won
dering what there was In the world to
live for, after all.
he looked at her for a moment in
silence. anu she looked at her vloiets
through d queer graylsh mist.
-Jane," he said at last, 'you know
what 1t is l want to ask you, don't
your
James heart missed a beat unac-
couutably, then throbbed Ike mad to
make UP for lost time. She tried to
speak.
+Ja-ane," called a voice IN the hall.
'Nllere are you, JaneT"
eshe's In the library Jane heard her
sister answer. "sister, here's Lillian"
Just a minute" pleaded Jane half
aloud and ran out OF the room.
Thurston heard q murmur Of voices
In the hail.
Il won't stay-no, indeed. ! won't"
said one, and another, James own, an
swered-he realized with satisfaction,
not quito respectfully - wish you
would
There was a soft furry Of skirts, a
nervous little laugh, and Jane came
slowly back into the room
1T was Lillian she explained. eve
ia on each other at all hours, and
she didn't know you were here, so sh,
wouldn'f'-
II haven't muoh time,' said Thur
nv rfr4s ars44rw tT ~rI. ..ML "a go. ~ 80 4 ~
Ian. DO you semembeF that / was
sayingg"
Jane. remembered.
TEL me. then, salI the man, lis Il
worth while my say ng it-don't wer-
Sore ones "a ing" breathed Jane
and IhnrB On ceased her hands JUS
In cmt
Janef d a mild voice from Tho
Aqs u maid said your mother wa
ny do you lave the room Sc
dark, hild? / can't SEQ a thing. WIZ
don't you light another lamp
"Oh, Aunt Jane,,' cried her name
sake, stepping forward with weak CT
fusiveness and presenting a dutlfu
cheek to be kissed. 'a1his Is Mr.. Thur
ston-you remember him. don't your
.Oh, yes" said Aunt Jane, Eyes, IN
deed. I suppose you're ono Of the In
diana Thufstons7 / had a very dea,
friend once, Harriet Barnes. who mar
ried a Thurston from Indiana. An,
connection OF Yoursr'
Not that / know Of" rejoined Thur
ston, with tense poilteness. I'VE are
New York family"
Il never heard OF that branch" sal.
Aunt Jane, with an air that discrcdites
1t at once. Where did you say YOU
mother was, JanieY'
Upstairs. dear Aunt Jane. She'll b.
80 glad"
Are you quite well. JanieY" askc'
the old lady suddenly. "Your cheek
are 80 flushed and your hands ar
quite cold; you're not shlverlpg. ar
your She's such an imprudent thing
Mr.. Thurston"
Aunt JaneF' called a voice from til
head Of Tie stairway. And Aunt Jan
departed.
They waited til tho door had closei
behind her. Another half hour gone,
said Thurston. with angry tenderness
Your hands are cold and your check
the prettest pink Is it beeaus
yOus-
HOh, watt she pleaded. drawing
away from him. "rm sure / hearl
some IN the hall-please."
u don't care II the whole world wcr
just outside the door, and it apparent!
IS" said ThurstOn. II want you 4
ans,ver the question I've been tryini
70 ask all the evening-win you
'Tlere IS some one" whispered Jan
Historically, and finging herself int
a chair just as Bobby Martin. noisil.
cheerful and sure OF welcome. burs
into the room.
"5ust got a wire" he cried gayiy
"Passed my exams, Jane. / lmeg
2 you'd be dying 70 bear, so / thought II
run over and let YOU know. Hcllc
Thurstonl Isn't It bully. Jane? In
going up next week"
sHoR 40 you DOR said Thurston fu
riOusly.
Perfectly fne.7 said Jane. cndeavol