The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-02-13
CHIFFON AND
HOMESPUN
BY FANNIE HEAsLIP LEA

janet came OUT or the long red farm
house and paused briefly at the steps
buttoning her dogskin 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 final tug and ran down
the path to where a man and two
horses stood, just beyond the gate.
He helped her mount with no word
beyond brief Ready" and an ap-
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. Il am a stranger In a strange
land"
"This way" said Janet II want you
to see the view from Brierson's hill
It's about the best in this part Of the
country, think"
Better than thisY' 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 as they rode on. Around
them the red Of the sumac blazed wild.
~, 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 look that startled
him. it was SO far outside her usual
cool self mastery.
TITS Gods country" she said ex.
ultantly. "Oh. could ride foreverl See
the haze, like smoke, on those noun
tains and the leaves af1re 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 it all, every bit of itP'
II see you do" said Burke slowly.
''Well, why shouldn't II" she de-
manded. Doesn't it make you feel
your lifef I've different soul up
here"
Il see you have" said the man. I'm
trying to fit that soul to the Janet
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 a different look
In your eyes now. You're warmer, less
aloof, less certain of yourself. What
is it?"
Don't" said the girl, with a pro
testing smile. II 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 I came to spend Thangsgiving
with you," retorted Burke, mot with q
strange woman who has your eyes and
your hair and your face-you that I
know. How did you happen to leave
here?" he asked, with the unembarrass-
ed frankness of intimacy.
II don't know" said Janet doubtful
II just AdDDCAC0s aunt jane LUX
a fancy to me while l was of at col
lege, and when l graduated she offered
to bring me out in town. Mother new
err objected to anything wanted, and
well, l 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"
"Men?" asked Burke
Look out for that bridge; it's bad.
Yes-men," said Janet
"Of whom l am one" he finished.
She nodded lnscrutably.
"Well, 1 don't want to be one" no
protested, unless you preface it with
the in italics"
Don't your
NO" he repeated firmly, 81 don't.
See here. Janet-how long have I known
your
"a year and half" said the girl re-
iectively.
"And In the course of that time
have twice asked you to marry me,
haven't II"
II seem to remember something Of
the Sort" she answered, with a flicker
ing smile that somehow eheathed the
sneer
Didn't you know when you asked
me here that I'd do it again? Didn't
you know that l couldn't see you in a
new phase and not lose my grip on my
self? All, Janet, you must have known,
and If you, knowing, let me come 1t
must have been because you meant to
say He broke of and struck saw
agely with his whip at the leaves above
his head
Meant to say what" suggested the
girl whimsically-''the word that would
hobble my life forever, that would mar
row my horizon and weed out my ex-
istence to one thought, one aim, one
end? Is that what 1 meant to sayT
''If you like to put it so, that is it."
said the man sullenly. you know the
truth Isl
They rode in silence for little while
II could make you happy" said the
man at last
"Could you. Alec? I'm not SO sure Of
that" Janet pushed an escaping hair
pin back and after a moment faced
him proudly. I'm not playing fair
with you," she said. 81 did know you'd
ask me this again. and l made up my
mind Pd"- A shabby buggy creaked
past them. In their absorption they
had ridden upon it without knowing.
Janet nodded a bright Good morn
ingp to the country people within.
WELL" said Burke confidently when
they had passed. There was an exult-
ant look in his eyes and he bent to lay
reins
Janet swerved suddenly. ''Take care"
she said hurriedly, we've ridden into
the returning congregation Of Brier-
sons church.
Burke followed her with an unuttered
imprecatlon.
What are they having church on a
week day for, anyhow he demanded
aggrievedly.
Thanksgiving day." said Janet bow
ing to gray bearded man on horse
back and tlinging a smile to the sturdy
urchin beside him They walked their
horses slowly through the tide of horses
and vehicles. then drew rein before the
little wooden church with its stunted
steepie and weather beaten sides.
They call 1t Brierson's, because the
old man built it," said Janet in the tone
of an obliging guide.
"Oh, bother the church." said Burke
impatiently. Were past the crowd
now. Don't fool me any longer, Janet
Why, Janet He broke OF, his gaze
following hers to where the door of the
little church opened and closed behind
tall man In the rough clothes Of the
country minister
Janet's eyes widened, and her cheeks
Loo &kn1,