Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-08-09
CHIFFON AND
HOMESPUN

I Copyright. 1906. ~ MOcg,as, rhautps 4 Co. !


Janet came out OF 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 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 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 stranger in 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 thisYs 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 III the red clay suggested.
strangely, open wounds.
"It's fine country" said Burke,
with conscious banality.
Janet flung him look that startled
him, it was so far outside her usual
cool self mastery.
Its Gods country" she said ex-
ultantly "Oh, could ride foreverl See
the haze, like smoke, on those noun
tains and the leaves afire on the hills.
There's rabbit. See him jump across
the road And look Yonder's an aster.
I thought It's time was over. Isn't
that wind good on your face? Oh.
love it all. every bit of it!''
81 see you do said Burke slowly.
"Well, why shouldn't II" she de-
manded. Doesn't 1t make you feel
your life: I've a different soul up
here"
II see you have" said the man. "I'm
trying to fit that soul to the Janet I
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 it?'
"Don't,' said the girl, with pro-
testing smile. Il won't be dissected. /
asked you dawn to spend Thanksgiv-
ing with me mot to cut up my soul
with your little Ratchet"
@And I came to spend Thanksgiving
with you" retorted Burke, mot with a
strange woman who has your eyes and
your hair and your face-you that
know. How did you happen to leave
here?' he asked. with the unembarrass-
ed frankness of intimacy.
II don't know" said Janet doubtful
~. st just happened. Aunt Jane took
fancy to me while was off at 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. .sYou have the sweet, sad
story of my life now, bar few de-
tails
eMen?" 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 it with
the in italics"
Don't your
no. he repeated firmly, II don't.
See here, Janet how long have known
you r.
"a year and haf.' said the girl re-
iectiyeiy.
s.And in the course OF that time /
have twice asked you to marry me,
haven't IT'
81 seem to remember something Of
the sort" she answered, with flicker
ing smile that somehow sheathed 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
selff All. Janet, you must have known,
and if you. knowing, let me come 1t
must have been because you meant to
say He broke off 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