The Green Forest tribune., 1910-06-24

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, panted behind her.
 Mercy me, Ann Roswell, how fast you do walk! Cant you slow down sos l can catch up with you?"
 Ann turned and waited until the other woman came abreast of her; then she fell into step with the others slow pace.
 flows your rheumatism, Sarah? Jacob said last night he guessed you'd be laid up for the winter"
 Sarah Ely smiled good-naturedly
 The winters well along and I aint 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?"
 "Who?" demanded Ann Roswell, fercely.
 Mrs. Ely's florid face paled and 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 it slipped out. I'm real sorry" There was genuine contrition in her voice and manner
 Who calls her that?" asked Ann | Roswell in a strangled voice.
 
 Everybody in Little River. 1 think old Mrs Roe began it when Jane wouldn't have Jimmy Roe. The old lady said as how Jane didn't want to do anything except eat strawberries and cream and play on the dulci- | mer!"
 Ann walked slowly toward the shab- by old house.
 It's disgrace-it isl" muttered Ann, intensely, and then she hastened around to the back door as if suddenly impelled by some iong-delayed pur- 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 ana magazines were streWn over | chairs, tables and sofa Every avail able corner of the room was scattered with yellowed sheets of music or hat tered folios. On small table, placed Tn the sunny bay window, was a dull l elmer, one of those ancient instru- ments that our grandmothers occa- sionally played and by them rever enced because of its 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 hand, she gently waved a small mad ded stick above the dulcimer and as the stick smote the metal keys she sang nigh treble accompaniment to the tinkling notes
 Do you know what folks call you ?" 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 Roswel?" repeated Ann with sudden passion. They call you Dull elmer Jane'-'pulcimer Jane'-.Dulci- mer Jane' Do you understand, now?" Jane arose to her full height, and the dreamy light died out of her eyes. look of pitiful bewilderment took it's place. "Why--why do they call me that?" she almost whispered. Ann winced, but her voice did not tremble. Because you're idle Jane, and don't do nothing except sing and play on that dulcimer-drat the thing, l 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 about me?" asked Jane, coldly.
 Ann hesitated. "She said-somebodv told me just now-she said that you didn't want to do nothing except eat strawberries and cream and play on the dulcimer all day-and so she nick named you 'Dulcimer Jane and folks have been calling you that for ten years! Sarah Ely just told me all about it."
 Mrs. Roe never liked me-" an. nounced Jane, dully.
 Ann was eager in her sisters dc. fense. She always was queer. Janey- don't you mind what she said. I ex- pect she was mad because you didn't marry Jimmy. She set store by him and he ain't never married yet"
 Jane flashed a strange smile at her sister
 Jimmy Roe never asked me to marry him." she said at last. He said he'd like to, only his mother made such fuss over his coming to see me that he knew 1t would only mean trouble all around if we was to marry"
 Ann gasped. q never knew it. Jane Roswell! And what did you say to him?"
 T told him 1e needn't trouble to apologize, because l wouldn't marry him under any circumstances" Jane's head was held aloft now anu her blue eyes sparkled with spirit they had not held for many years
 But you did care for Jimmy Roe?" remarked Ann with shrewd glance at her sister.
 Without one glance at her sisters accusing face, Jane Roswell uttered a bitter cry and ran from the room and afterwards Ann heard her pacing to "a ha har
 Later in the day Ann was lured