The Washington herald., 1907-12-23
CHAPTER XLvII.
"Janet! Janety'

manse drawing-room because the children
Were not allowed to romp there-at least,
not TO break anything very valuable. 1t
was a small room. because in that house
everything had TO give way TO the i'm
perious needs of the minister's books,
which pinched the space necessary for
the kitchen stores and threatened to en-
croach on the coal cellar.
But at least Janet and Vic were alone.
The loneliness OF two is not the alone
ness Of one. VIC considered this an en-
tirely new thought, as he remembered his
v.gils on the despoplados, outside Huelva,
and recalled the nights when he watched
the northerly stars over the csnal-like
Nervion and the far chocolate wash Of
Bilbao bar
But his time was come now-also
Jsnet's.
Was It for this he had come so far?
For girl. rather slim than otherwise
with hair sweeping back like a name
from brow broad but not too high,
firm lips, and nose which the owner
affirmed had been attached as an after
thought with putty? That was Janet
Fowler-yes. that is. except for her eyes,
and the quick wit that lay underneath the
broad brow on which the hair grew so
low and light
''Janet, Janet I love you.'
He did not say more. The girl said
nothing at all But she trembled. She
would have given all she possessed
something on the under side Of five shill-
ings-if she could have kept herself from
trembling. But in spite of her will she
shook like leaf blown 10y the force OF
his strong words. She heard such for
the first time. Janet Fowler stood with
her hands by her side, alternately clasp
ing and disentangling them. her face fit
tinS from red 10 pale-from ash to rose.
She had written for this, hoped for this.
almost prayed for thisl And now Il had
come-it was quite different.
This big man. with his commanding
ways his shoulders squared his strong
set face of granite-did she hear Alright.
when she thought that she detected the
sob in his throat?
JANET love you-Janet, Janet"'
She held him off whilst she asked a
question But Vic had been instructed In
the not subtle casuistry of the occasion.
Mr.. IrOngray had read him his lesson.
The wooer had learned It.
No he answered. Il never really
loved her-I never loved but you. Janet.
You taught me TO live. When 1 was far
away your sapphire eyes were Ike nails
driven into my soul I could not get
loose from them,"
All true-all to the point. But an hour
or two before he would have tangled il
all up with explanations and diminutions.
Now the girl got it plain and strong
e I'M Il
Vic Morris had loved only Janet-that is.
as man ought to love a woman.
How she wished now that She could
think Of something clever to say. If
only he had told her all this thousand
miles of, and she had answered It with
a pen in her hand, But no-there he
stood before her and she could not take
ber eyes of his face. She trembleld-so
violently. that Vic saw it, and changing
his tone suddenly charged her with low
ing him in return.
Il don't. I don't" She cried. so fiercely
that he almost laughed. knowing differ
ent
Then stop shiveringr' he retorted.
triumphantly
That. however, was far, far beyond her.
And she knew IT,
I am Sold" she cried "but I don't
love youi"
The thermometer is marking eighty I'm
the shade. 1t is because you love me that
you are trembling. You are going TO
marry me- You had no business to have
written all those letters 20 me. if you
meant nothing You know that very
well!'
There was no answer. The old Vic was
coming back.
'Shall I call nay father?" She was try
ing desperate tactics now.
You may" said Vic, cOOlly. but he
viii not hear. You forget he has gone
visiting in Block c."
Janet had TO bethink herself again.
Nothing farther occurred to her at the
moment Possibly something might Only
Vic quite unfairly followed the example
OF his late subordinate and set the strong
est pair Of arms in Kirktown about her
He drew her to him. Instantly the
trembling stopped, and she began to cry
softly on his breast. He was so strong.
IT was comfortable though.
Look at me- he said; you dare not
look at me-"
He was right. She dared not. after tell
ing what was very like STORY" about
her father. She knew very well where
he had gone. The Rev. John Fowler al
ways visited on Thursdays. All the world
knew that-even Vic Morris, when II was
10 his advantage.
i dare you TO look at me,' He said
not so much as a challenge, but as an
excuse TO hold her longer.
All at once she turned the depths of
her sapphire eyes upon him. The spark in
them was extinguished. 1t had become
now only a mellow glow. Tears moisten-
ed and softened everything Janets eyes
were deep wells Of youth. and beauty
yes. and love.
Vic Morris was instantly and hopeless
ly conquered. He altered his tone. He
was the vanQuished. this time
"Oh. Janet can you love fellow Ike
.me?"
Promptly the eyes filed up. Their bue-
ness. as of the deep sea or Of Henry
MoOre's pictures. had become mysterious
ly liquid. and was about to overflow. Vic
hastily prevented this, in the way that
suggested itself to him as the most con- !
venient in the circumstances. He felt her
shrink within his arms-then come closer
again
You are sure you will never be sorry?"
she said, catching the lapels OF his coat
all she could do.
''Never-never.' cried Vic. only YOU
are infinitely too good for me- You
really cannot love met
Il do" said Janet, clear and frm as il |
she were giving (already) the marriage
responses.
Then I shall have to keep house for |
father" said a voice behind them, which |
made them jump asunder. please. |
Janet. give me the key of the jam cup |
board now, and / won't tell, Hope a |
mouse may jump on me il I do
They turned and beheld the small Vio- /
let Fowler. youngest OF the family
Violet" cried her sister; how long
have you been here?'
rOh. just a whilel" said that sweet but |