Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1906-03-15
CHIFFON AND
IAOEIESpUN
BY FANNIE HEASLIP LEA
Copyright, Gi05, ~ -Hc' iu'e, Phillips & Cn

house and paused briefly at the steps.
buttonlng her dogsiiln gloves. The
Keen, bright cold OF the November
morning brought the blood to her
cheeks and an awakening sparkle to
her cool gray eyes. She fastened the
gloves with a final tug and ran down
the path to where man and two
horses stood, just beyond the gate.
He helped her mount with no word
beyond Il brief Ready" and an APP
proving smile, then swung himself into
the saddle and followed her over the
crest of the hill on which the red farm
house stood.
You lead the way" he called after
her. II am a stranger in a strange
land"
This way" said Janet. Il want you
to see the view from Brierson's hill
It's about the best in this part of the
country, | think"
Better than this?' asked the man
audaciously, his eyes on her clear cut
profile
THE background is better" said ia
net coolly.
The mountains rose blue and misty
in the distance az they rode on. Around
them the red Of the sumac blaZed wild
ly, and on the sloping sides of the
foothills through which they passed
great gashes in the red clay suggested,
strangely, open wounds.
ITS fine country" said Burke,
with conscious banality.
Janet flung him Il look that startled
him, ii was SO far outside her usual
cool self mastery.
Its Gods country" she said ex-
ultantly. "Ob, could ride forever. See
the haze. like smoke, on those noun
tdlns and the leaves atire on the hills.
There's rabbit. See him jump across
the road. And look yonder's an aster.
| thought its time was over. Isn't
that wind good on your face? Oh,
love 1t all, every bit OF it!'
~ see you do" said Burke slowly.
well, why shouldn't ~ she de-
manded. Doesn't it make you feel
your llfer I've different soul up
here"
81 see you nave" said the man. I'm
trying To fiji that soul to the Janet l
know In town. the Janet who sat for
my Lady In Gray, the Janet of trail
ing chiffons and pink teas and Ibsen
matinees. Why, you've different look
In your eyes now. You're warmer, less
aloof. less certain of yourself What
Is itt'
Don't" said the girl, with pro-
testing smile. 81 won't be dissected. l
asked you down to spend Thanksgiv
ing with me-not to cut up my soul
with your little Ratchet"
"And l came to spend Thanksgiving
with you," retorted Burke, mot with
strange woman who has your eyes and
your hair and your face-you that
know How did you happen to leave
heref" he asked, with the membranes
ed frankness OF intimacy.
81 don't know" said Janet doubtful
~. 1T just happened. Aunt Jane took
a fancy TO me while l was off al col
lege. and when | graduated she offered
to bring me out In town Mother new
er objected to anything wanted, and
WELL | was dazzled with the idea of
town-society, dances, men Any girl
would be, so | went TO Aunt Jane" she
finished you have the sweet sad
story OF my life now. bar a few de-
tails"
"MenT asked Burke.
Look out FOR that bridge; it's bad
Yes-men," said Janet.
"Of whom am one" he finished
She nodded inscrutably
"Well, ! don't want to be one" he
protested, unless you preface 1t with
the IN italics,'
Don't your
NO" he repeated firmly, 81 don't
See here, Janet-how long have / known
your"
"A year and half" said the girl re-
tectively.
And in the course of that time |
have twice asked you TO marry me,
haven't IL
Il seem to remember something of
the sort" she answered, with Il flicker
ing smile that somehow sheathed the
Sncer.
"Didnt you know when YOU asked
me here That I'd do il again? Didn't
you know that l couldn't see you In
new phase and not lose my grip on my
self? All, Janet, you must have known.
and II you, knowing let me come II
must have been because you meant TO
say He broke of and struck saw
agcly with his whip at the leaves above
his head
"Meant to say what" suggested the
girl whlmsically- "the word that would
hohhlc my lie forever, that would mar
TOW my horizon ANA We,si out Tuy eN.
istcnce TO one thought. one aim, one
end? Is that what | meant 10 say?"
III you like 10 put it SO, that is It."
said the man sulenly. You know the
truth is
They rode in silence COR little while
Il could make you happy" said the
man az last
could you. Alec? I'm not so sure OF
that" Janet pushed an escaping hair
pin hack ana after Il moment faced
him proudly. I'm not playing fair
with you - ehc said II did know vnll'l