The Carlisle independent., 1909-01-14


 Louie watched her disappear around the corner-the worst Jane's old clothes could do was to make her look like very young and particularly aristocratic princess in disguise, Louie thought-and then went at her work angrily. It was not long before she was disturbed by the doorbell, ana found herself listening to the corFer- sation between the landlady and a yis- itor. Soon afterward the landlady ap- peared There was young man to see her, the landlady said; ha had asked first for Jane and t:ien for Louie
 Louie went into the stTffy little sit ting room and held out her hand with cordiality that surprised herself to Tom Jennings. The worn look in his face reminded her of Janes. She sud. denly forgave him all her grudges.
 "I had an extra halfhour, so thought I'd drop in and say good-by- some more," he said smiling. T didn't get to tell you good-by at all last night he added, as if in extenuation, Louie liked him better than she had thought
 After the first burst of confidence, Jennings was not fluent that morning. He looked Jane's bedtime remark that he'd like to blow his brains out if she didn't mind the noise. But he wouldn't. One could tell by looking at him that there were so many things that he would like to do that he wouldn't do. Louie was perfectly sure that she knew one of them. He wouldn't tell Jane-unless he were brought to his senses. Louie acted suddenly upon an idea that had been slowly forming in her mind.
 Jane will surely be back in a few minutes" she said. Wasn't she pretty last night?"
 The man hesitated "She always looks so to me-, he said, in low tone.
 "Oh, yes, of course; but last night she looked particularly well. Her dress was unusually becoming. I wonder if your masculine mind appreciated the charms of that dress?"
 He looked surprised, even a little displeased. But he answered with scrtpulous politeness, if somewhat stifIiy:
 T thought it, as you say, unusually becoming
 Louie produced her thunder-clap. She's gone to sell it. she said.
 ITO sell it?' he echoed, stupidly. He was trying hard to read the signifi- canoe of her look; he knew that she meant it to tell him more than her words.
 Yes" she said. "To a secondhand dealer He won't take it-he doesn't buy anything but strong, common things-but she wouldn't listen to me" She paused, looking at him very earn estly. her cheeks pink and her eyes shining. She bought it for the oc- casion," she said. And now she wants to get her mother a birthday present and some Greek books for her self So she's gone to sell it.''
 The man flushed a slow, compre- hending crimson. Thank you,' he said at last, very low.
 Louie knew that her unalloyed so- licitude might dare little further
 Tt was because you must be-. poor?" she said. .A
 He raised a pair of eloquent to her. Yes" he said, simply. %
 She won't mind," said Louie, te1 derly, with singing happiness in her voice, as if she were the mother of them both.
 The man was sitting with his el- bows on his knees, gazing at the car pet. His voice was so low that Louie had to bend forward to hear.
 T don't want to make her un- happy" he said. She was made for luxury"
 "Oh," said Louie, "yes! But she was made fora number of things" He did not see the kind, delighted mischief in her eyes. 'Jane's very adaptable
 And at that moment they heard Jane coming up the stairs. They heard her latch-key in the sitting-room door: and then, enter Jane, spiritless and out of bAeath, with the newspaper bundle still under her arm. Then she saw Jennings and Louie made precipi- tate retreat. Afterwards, she could re- member leaving nothing in her room behind her but two pairs of eyes-one questioning, the other replying.
 When that expanded half-hour had expired, and she heard him running downstairs, three steps at time, Louie cautiously opened the folding doors.
 Your hairs rumpled," she said
 Little Jane dropped Imply into the big chair he had just left. Shut up!" she said weakly.
 Louie went over and sat down on the arm of the chair, fondling the rumpled head. You can sell the Creation, honey" she said. You just didn't go to the right place.
 IT guess I won't sell it." said Jane. T may-need it-now" And then, as an awful idea struck her, she raised burning face from the bosom