The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-10

ZANE lived with the Megsons. Her
parents had died when she herself
~ was 10 and Mrs. Megson, good, sim
ole soul, having no children of her own,
had gathered the children under her
wing, with the understanding that as
long as Jane behaved herself and did
her share OF the days work she could
consider herself at home.
It is not to be denied that Jane was a
disappointment to her benefactress. The
girl was willing enough and good-hearted
enough. But she could never be brought
to see the desirability of presenting a
re-. appearance-which was a pity, for
she was old enough to know better, being
nearly twenty.
II her work in the kitchen left black
smudges on her face, she merely attacked
the trouble ftfully witt dry apron,
thus making general what was only par
ticular before. and spelling the look of
O. clean apron besides.
Her hair, which, properly cared for.
might have been made attractive, was
merely skewered in unsympathetic Jumps
to her head with the least number of
hairpins necessary for temporary secur-
ity: and as she shuffled across the room
in .ler down-at-heel shoes the eye of the
beholder was inevitably attracted to the
distressing fact that her stockings were
strangers to the darnlng needle.
At $3.50 O. clock every evening Mr.. Meg
son came home from work, and with
the regularity of clockwork he kissed
his wife tenderly, told Jane her hair was
We. untidy, and heard Mrs. Megson eN-
plain that it wasn't her fault. as she
had been ION at the girl all day about
it.
Jane. in a contrite mood would at once
brush her hair from her forehead with
her hand. and after changing the position
of a hairpin once or twice, would eX-
pres the hope that she looked tidier
now. As the net result of her well-meant
efforts had been merely to make con-
fusion worse COMPOUNDED, the Megsons
gave her up as hopeless and changed
tho subject.
on this particular evening Mr. Megson
came in rather more hurriedy than usual
and called for Mar before he was in
side the house. lie had met Mr. wilkins.
the curate, who wanted to know il he
could have his washing home a day
slrlcr than usual.
well, it's all ready to be put into the
basket replied Mrs Megson, but !
amt goln to say as it's properly aired"
"Jane'll tell i'm that when she leaves
it." commented Mr.. Megsc1.
Jane was just thinking of sitting down
to supper. but it was clear from this
hint that she would be expected to take
the curate's washing home first. and. as
sooa as everything had been certified in
order, she picked up the basket and stag
eered cut with it. The load was heavy,
but Jane was strong, and, with an oc-
casonal rest along the road, it would
cause her no Inconvenience.
At the bottom of the lane leading to
the curate's house a sturdy-ooking man
of about thirty years, with bag of
tools on his shoulder, stood and watched
Jane as she painted along with her loaded
basket held awkwardly in front of her
by the handles. He was a strong fell
: as untidy in appearance as Jane
her n As she staggered past him he
caught her and smiling srimly, sang out
~ way of greeting
s"Halios'
t%'HaIlov' replied Jane. tempted into
camping for moment by the prospect