Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-10-02
CONDOLENCES


her Condolences We're poured into her
ears, and TO do her justice, she did not
pass them on She talked little herself.
bat she had way OF leaning forward in
her chan and fixing pair OF intelligent
gray eyes on ones face with an intent
gaze. as if nothing in the world inter-
ested her 50 much Just then as the per-
son she was locking at; and then saying
in soft tones Now, tell me something
about yourself"
The one to whom she spoke you'd
invariably yield to the charm of those
earnest eyes, and in response to the in
vitation would find himself or herself
pouring out personal history, thoughts
or experiences. And whether the speak
er We're a middle aged scientist, explain
ing his latest theory of the universe,
or a dry dust professor riding his
hobby, or a young girl with her first
love affair, Jane listened with the same
expression of vivid interest III her eyes.
putting in a sympathetic word now and
then, which lured one on to further and
deeper condolences
How is it that everybody tells you
everything?' little Alice Fenwiek asked
her wistfully once.
"0h, because | like to hear them |
lasuppose," Jane answered, smiling into
the little fower-like face.
"And you never tell, do You, Jane"
Il should never dream of betrayino
anyone's confidence" said Jane gently.
Il should think you knew me better
than that, Alice"
Little Alice only sighed and went
away; but few days later She came
to Jane with a piteous face
Tell me all about It, DEAR encour
aged Jane
They were alone in her room. which
looked out ON green orchard. with rows
of peach trees whose fruit was lust
blushing rosily among the setting of
glossy leaves. A pear tree grew so
near the window that they could almost
reach out and gather its golden fruit.
Jane sat down in low chair by the
window and pointed to another, lower
and more comfortable still
Just sit down here and tell me all
about it," she said again il her sympa-
thizing voice. And Alice resisted no
longer, but poured out all her burdened
heart, sitting there with her lace hid
den on James lap.
1t was foolish littl, story enough.
just girlish love affair, and how she
and Bob We're sure they could never care
for anybody else, and papa said it was
all nonsense, and she was much too
| young even to think of such a thing.
| And she was nineteen, and Bob was old
enough to be at college, and she Thought
| it was mean, and here the tears choked
Aliee's speech.
| Jane patted her hair and sympathized
and counseled patience, and after a
while Alice cheered up and went home
promising TO tell her OF further develop
ments.
The next evening there was a dance
a soeiable village affair. TO when all
were invited Jane rarely danced She
| disliked getting warm and disheyeled
1t was her speciality to sit OF in shady
corners and listen to condolences; reap.
pearing cool and unruiiled, when the
dance was ended, for brief promenade
on her partners arm.
To her retired moonlit corner of the
| piazza, whence she could see the room.
full of dancers, came Bob, when the
evening was half over.
All alone, Miss Jane? I've been
hunting for you"
Have you? That was nice of YOU
when Alice is here" said Jane, with
soft meaning.
"Alice-oh, she looks pretty this even.
ing, doesn't she,' said the boy, his ewes
following the bewitehing little figure in
white with pink roses.
A sympathetic look, few eneourac.
ing words and soon Jane was listening
to the other side of Alice's story. Ii
seemed to interest her deeply, wonder.
fully, and presently. before he knew it
the lad found himself telling her of the
other girl, back at college, who would
feel herself sighted if she knew about
Alice
It's an awful complication" he fin,
ished eloomily. Il can't give Alice m
and yet she-t the other girl-thinks am
bound to her"
1T is complication" agreed Jane
softly. And yet, Bob, believe il win
all come right after while It's the
course of true love, you know. Alice's
father obiecting, and this other GIRL. are
only the rapids in the current. 1t viii
flow smoothly by-and- by. If | were
You, | should tell the other girl about il
and ask her TO give you back your prom.
lse--lt she thinks YOU are bound Ia her
Oh, / am sure it viii all come rirhf
And you win tell me when it does. won't
your You know l shall he SO inter.
ested''
It's mighty good Of YOU said the
boy gratefully.
30 Jane, thus established as the conf.
dante of both lovers, found herself piled
with details, which she thoroughly en-.
loyed. After Boh's return to college h,
wrote to her, telling Of the progress Of
affairs with the other girl" and little
| Alice came frequently to pour her woes
INTO the car which seemed never 20 tire
of hearing the ofttod tale.
1t was not to he expected that so
sympathetic a person as Jane should
fail Of having a lover of her own. There.