The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-23
@IIT slantin1 rays Of tho sun fell
upon the cottage as Jane-Annie
approached 1t, wrapping II In u
kind OF hOflielX g'nIN irhn cob.

/
| bles OF the yard were flooded
with light, and the small child playing
1 upon them was like some wandering
cherub, Jane-Annie came round the
corner OF the yard with her light, slow
step that seemed always to halt and
considcr. Tho slight wind just ruffed
the folds OF her skirt. showing glrlish
ankles; II was not strong enough to
flutter the brim of sthc dropping hat
upon her head.
Jane-Annic stopped to speak to the
child in the yard. Her face was small,
but broad; II held an expression OF cx-
Itreme simplicity. Her mouth was red,
and fell loosely open, like the mouth
OF a child.
As Jane-Annie stopped she heard
voices in the cottage at her side. One
was her fathers voice.
"Ain't I lost all my daughters save
one?" 1t asked. Amt 1t enough to sec
Fem wed, one after other. nigh us sud-
den as tn clocks strikin'? be count
In on keepin' Jane-Annie: 1t amt
overmuch to asst"
1T amt much to asst" allowed his
listener; AN mortal dull 'twouid be
for you loft your lone. But gels be
gels. and Jane-Annie--"
.Jane-Annie won't be against styin'
tome WI her old father. Amt given
Daughters enough to wed? Jane-Annie
shall stay wi her old father. quite like
me to think as I shall have Janc-An-
ME"
We'll. we'll, amt sayin' as there Is
aught against IL. Likely as not you'll
| have Jane-Annie. She amt the kind
as gets lad. Lizzie had looks. an
Emily were senseful. an EIlen-Maude
had that kind of tongue us ticks round
Il y,..r.
be men in this world, men there Will be
las likes to be sauced---but Iane-Annic
she amt aught but simple. You'll
likely keep Jane-Annie."
Il Jane-Annie rose from tho ground.
The faintest pink color had stirred In
lher cheeks, her eyes were wide open
land candid For a moment she stood
lstill, then she made the few steps to
the cottage. and entered.
Evening, Father Evening. Aunt
Polly she said.
i 81 Jest waited on your comm to get
lon 'ome, jane Annie" said Aunt Polly.
She rose from her seat, u tall, shrewd
woman of middle age, with fresh
color. 1T be a longish step from ere
Ito to- end And how be Miss Wilton
,|gettin' on?"
She sat down on the bench In the
corner, and took off her hat. The
light fell on her simple. placid face.
she be about the same said Jane
Annie.
There amt no sweetheartsin' going
on there said Aunt Polly.
4 Jane-Annie Laughed The laugh
. sounded our of place aid a little fool
ism. NO there amt any" SHE said.
When Aunt Pc y was gone jane
!, Annie bestirred herself to put the kettle
on and set the supper table. Her
f.. 49, Il l. afea "A tanV n
watched her, his pipe sending out pun
gent fumes. His eyes, stlll shrewd and
keen, Were meditative. In imagination
I he saw Jane-Annie perform these tasks
! throughout his declining years She
would be HIS prop and stay. True. TO,
la while. yet, while he was hale ant
l hearty, she might spend her days a.
Miss Wilton's doing" for Ler hut
/ when age gripped him more closely
t hampering still farther his rheumatic
/. limbs, then Jane-Annie should be will
E him the day through: he would have
| enough to serve for both.
t Supper be waitin'." said Jane-An.
. ME.
8 She sat, pensive and quiet. at the
head of the board, James Berry wa
not surprised at her silence; the CIR
= spoke little at any time, and her simple
a remarks seldom ELECTED more than "ay'
! or may" from him. Tonight he gav'
! her silence a new approval. Jane-An
ME would not make his old age tediou
!, by toissome prattie OF the follies h
= had outgrown-
2 Supper was only cleared when shor
!, Trap came to the door.
: ut he si'as. come to have pipe
!, lful WI me-" said Berry.
Jane-Annic did not reply. Sla.
y coming hardly held novelty for her
v the old shoemaker had come in ever
: night for as long back as she could re
: member.
When the two men We're smokine
g she put on her hat, and ran round tn
half-cirele of road beyond the yard t
q the store7.
!, They we're shut. The curtain owe
a the door wee down. but q faint CLINT c
a light showed through sagging win
- dow-blind Jane-Annie halted for
~ moment In disappointment. Then ST
a turned tho handle, and pushed the doc
- gently. IT gaze way; she entered til
shop.
u 1t was deserted but for red-heade
3 youth, who, standing upon the counte
ia devoted to drapery requirements, we
,oE lifting large green box to its plac
IS on the shelves.
He turned slowly as the girl entere
30 "Hello!"he said. Shop be shut, Yn
"a be over late my gel"
II Jane-Annie looked at him with lin
pid eyes. Her haste had brought
warm flush to her cheeks, and her lir
d hung apart with an added hint of child
ishness in their curves
II II amt wantin' no more nor pie
n Of ribbon she said sweetly. The
was childish pathos in her voice
l. Sammy lifted the .rol and drew o,
1T long pale streak The ribbon SCENE
10 to foam from white to blue as he shoe
it before her eyes. Iane-Annie lea,
ID against the counter,
Ire you wantin to please your lad
!, Sammy asked jealousy.
- Inne-knnie nodded.
- "P'r'aps he amt got no eYe for color
/ said Sammy.
T., Il dop't--know,'' said Jaae-Ann
- hesitatingly,
= "P'r'aps--", began Sammy,
~ Jane-Annte's pink cheeks grew pink
" still.
AZ II don't rightly know. I amt sc
8, tledon EN- yet" she said. Her eyes Il
ot on the ribbon.
ne e The boy l-.nped to the ground.
OF looked across the counter at her.
ou had seen Jane-Anne many n tin