The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1910-06-24

Ann Roswell came out of the post
Office with the weekly newspaper in
her hand and turned down the snowy
lane that led to her home. A woman,
wrapped In a large Paisley shawl and
with her arms full of packages, painted
behind her.
Mercy me, Ann Roswell, how fast
you do walk! Can't you slow down
SOS can catch up with your"
Ann turned and waited until the
other woman came abreast of her:
then she fell into step with the others
slow pace.
"How's your rheumatism, Sarah
Jacob said last night he guessed you'd
be laid up for the winter"
! Sarah Ely smiled good-naturedly.
The winters we'll along and I amt
laid up yet. Jacobs been croaking for
the last three years about that rheu-
matism! I guess I'll be able to trot
around and wait on him for some time
TO come yet. How's Dulcimer Jane? p
who" demanded Ann Roswell,
fiercely.
Mrs. Elys ford face paled and a
frightened look came into her little
eyes.
For the land! didn't mean any
harm-honest I didn't, Ann! Only
folks will call her that-and somehow
II supped out. I'm real sorry" There
was genuine contrition in her voice
and manner.
Who calls her that?" asked Ann
Roswell In strangled voice.
Everybody in Little River. think
old Mrs. Roe began it when Jane
wouldn't have Jimmy Roe. The old
lady said as how Jane didn't want to
90 anything except eat Strawberries
ana cream and play on the dulci.
mer!"
Ann walked slowly toward the shah.
by old house.
Its d1sgrace-it Isl" muttered
Apn, intensely. and then she FASTENED
around to the back door as il suddenly
impelled by some long-delayed Dur.
pose.
She removed her overshoes and
wraps In the warm. tidy kitchen and
went into the sitting room where the
bright sun poured relentlessly on worn
brussels carpet and dusty old-fash
Toned furniture.
BOOKS and newspapers, catalogues
and magazines were strewn owe,
chairs, tables and sofa. Every avail
able corner OF the room was scattered
WIN yelloWed sheets of music or bat.
tered foltos. On a small table. placed
In the sunny bay window, was a dull
elmer. one of those ancient instru.
ments that our grandmothers occa.
slonally played and by them rever.
enced because of It's mention in the
holy book.
In front of the dulcimer sat Jane
Roswell; tall and fair and slender and
faded like pale pink rose. With one
nand. she gently waved a small pad.
ded stick above the dulcimer and as
the stick smote the metal keys she
sang a high treble accompaniment to
the tinkling notes.
DO you know what folks call you p
she asked. sharply.
Jane Roswell looked up with dreamy
blue eyes and her slender fingers
strayed toward ragged sheet OF
music.
DO you know what folks call you
Jane Roswell?" repeated Ann with
sudden passion. They call you Dull
elmer Jane'-'Dulcimer Jane'-'Dulci
mer Jane. Do you understand, now?'
Jane arose to her full height, and the
dreamy light died out OF her eyes. A
look OF pitiful bewilderment took it.
place. "Why-why do they call me
that?" she almost whispered.
Ann WINGED, but her voice did moi
tremble. Because you're idle, Jane
and don't do nothing except sing and
play on that dulcimer-drat the thing
! say! l don't wonder old Mrs. Roe
said what she did," Ann stopped
abruptly at the strange look that came
into her sisters eyes.
What did old Mrs. Roe say abou,
me?" asked Jane, coldly.
Ann hesitated. "She said-somebod1
told me just now-she said that yor
didn't want to do nothing except ca,
Strawberries and cream and play OF
the dulcimer all day-and so she nick
named you 'Dulcimer Jane and folk.
have been calling you that for tel
years! Sarah Ely just told me al
about 1t"
Mrs. Roe never liked me-" an
nounced Jane, duly.
Ann was eager In her sisters de
tense. "She always was queer. Janey-
don't you mind what she said. l ex
pect she was mad because you didn'
marry Jimmy. She set store by him
and he amt never married yet"
Jane flashed strange smile at he,
sister.
Jimmy Roe never asked me t,
marry him." she said at last. HE sale
he'd like to, only his mother made
such a fuss over his coming to Sc,
me that he knew 1t would onl,
mean trouble all around II we was t,
marry"
Ann gasped. II never knew it. Jan,