The Detroit times., 1908-07-23
ny MARGARET CARRUTHERs.

! ing with three OF his school.mates
pushed the trio They were teasing
Estelle Harrison and making her
! cry, he exclaimed as Jane brought
out the liniment and bandages.
Mrs. Harvey. who was having tea
with Jane. waited, for the storm to
break. but IL didn't.
She smiled sort o. queer" said
Mrs. Harvey. In telling 1t later. and, p
said she, "Estelle Harrison ought 70
think a great deal OF you for look
ing out for her"
Il guess she thinks II time that
by-gones were by-gones, though the
Adams have always hung on TO their
grudges till the last gasp"
When James was twenty-one and
Estelle eighteen. they were looked
upon as lovers by the entire village
Nothing had been said, but James
handsome face would flush with adj
miratlon when the girl came In sight
while her downcast eyes and shy
glances were more convincing than
words.
Jane had bided her time. Now
the moment had arrived for ven
geance. James" she said one day
across the dinner table, I'm afraid
Estelle Harrison is getting TO think
great deal OF you" James turned
away from the .inquiring gaze. flush
ing TO the roots OF his hair. His
strong young body trembled and his
lips Quiyered as though about to
speak. Jane saw and broke Ia
quickly.
Il want you to stop calling there.
James looked at her for a moment
too dazed 10 reply. Finally he STAN
mered-"Why Aunt Jane, you don't
understand. want her TO like me,
And | want you to give her up" she
answered firmly Her eyes met his
like steel and she braced herself
for the conflict James burst into
loud laughter-"Give her up, why
Aunt Jane you do not know what
you are asking love her and she
loves me" He had begun with a
laugh. but the last words were ter.
rifled appeal
lie put his hand on hers. but she
shrank from his touch. James. it's
fourteen years since | took you from
the home where your mother lay
dead. l haven't ever reminded you
OF what you owe me, but now / ask
you 10 remember it, | paid your
mothers funeral expenses and her
doctors bill. You were left with.
out cent in the world | had 20
get you new suit OF clothes SO you
could be fit TO attend the funeral,
she went on coldly.
Yes. Aunt Jane, know.
Wait" she interrupted. I'm not
through You've been like my own
son and | leave you TO say whether
or not | have been a mother TO you
whether you oe me anything"
Il owe you everything Aunt Jane.
You've been father and mother to
me.-but--" and he tried to take her
hand, -bHt-she- drew back never
asked you to sacrifice anything for
me-" she went on. Il wouldn't even
let you stay away from party when
was sick. You often scolded because
I wouldn't let you do anything for
me. Now | ask this one thing in re-
turn for fourteen years OF sacrifice.
VIII you give up Estelle Harrison?"
James rose to his feet. In the
gathering twilight his face was ashen
Aunt Jane. II you put 1t that way
II guess you are right to ask me
you like-but my God, | wish
you had asked for my life instead"
he cried. His voice choked and trem-
bled.
"Oh. you'll soon get over feeling
that way" and James marveled at
her cruelty, not knowing that her
bitterness was not for him. but for
the faithless lover OF her unhappy
youth.
The gossips we're busy for the next
few weeks. wondering what had hap
reped. Had the lovers quarreled?
No one knew. but certain II was that
the constant James had suddenly alb
scented himself, evidently preferrlng
the hay fields to the companionship
of the fair Estelle.
Jane Adams lay awake nights,
gloating over the swiftness and COM
pleteness OF her triumph.
One afternoon she persuaded James
I orun into town for a few days,
He told her he would go the
next morning. Perhaps he will
see some pretty face that will cap
ture his fancy.
She then arranged an errand to
take him to the parsons house,
where there were two attractive
daughters. She was lost In the midst
of plans for him in which the par
sons young daughter figured largely
when Mrs. Harvey (who could al
ways be depended upon to bring the
latest gossip came in with strange
excited futter. Jane" she began,
scarcely needing that lady's inquiry
after her rheumatism. you could
have told me OF your added GRIEF,