Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-22
THE EVENING STORY 9
JANET'S REWARD.
BY. MARTHA. M'CULLOCH. WILL
IAMS.

Copyright, 1910, by Associated Liter
airy Press.
It was hard to say which was the
most noted-the Wilton pearls or the
Wilton temper
Euphemia, the youngest Wilton girl
had inherited both, together WIN
much land, many stocks and bonds
not to name revolutionary relics quite
equal to a patent Of nobility. There
fore It was, and was not, amazing that
she was single at th1rty-five. Ihere
had. never been hint of romance nor
q suspicion OF blighted affections, she
had had suitors in shoals. At least
three times she had contemplated mar
trying one of them. But it had not got
beyond contemplation-each OF the
three had been dismissed.
Both her brothers had married ana
had crops OF lusty young Wiltons, put
Clara. .the.sister who shared with MISS
EEn,phen1ia tenancy of the big home
Istead, hadaonly stepchldren. She had
|married4a with the traditional
family. 1t was remotely through THIS
kamfly that the affair Of the pearls
came to happen. If there had been
no need Of governess for three very
unr,1ly girls, Janet More, Irish. finely
bred, wistfully pretty, careless anu
happy in spite of poverty, would never
have seen those famous gems.
Janet danced like leaves in southern
airs. sang with the voice OF lark.
seemed indeed the embodiment OF
youth and spring. Because none or the
great people awed her in the least, sne
made her way to their hearts. Ihelr
splendid aloofness touched her quick
isympathtes as did the squahd poverty
of her peasant compatr1ots living
down beyond the mills.
Miss Euphemia held out a Drlel
while-Clara and the minister, Mr.
Fay. had surrendered at sight. Before
three months ended, Janet was one Oh
the family. freer indeed than the step
children to break up Miss Wiltons SOL
itude and make her laugh.
.'Sure, laughing makes you the pref
+jest.~ Janet said, with just the FAINT
est touch of brogue. When she chose
her English was crystalline, but she
had found out that the Irish infection
pleased the stately lady.
she dared farther to rummage out
things and dress up her patroness.
cts bride I'm making of YOU she
said one dull afternoon, raw and cold,
when Miss Euphemia was held by
sore throat from her daily drive. you
shall be the enchanted princess in wait
for the fairy prince. she ran on. I'm
your lady-in-waiting. Stand up, please.
FAIRIES sure made the lace on your
white frock-with the pearls ana all
world cuisine even dream.
You're big baby, and I'm your
doll. foolish doll-very,' Miss Wilton
retorted. nevertheless permitting hes-
self to be- adorned. She loved ner
clothes, her Jewels, as happier women
love their children. It pleased her
more thanshe could say to sun herseI1
IN Janet's admiration. you'll have TO
hurry, though" she went on. DR..
Beutly may come IN any time after q
II he came and caught us IN our mas
querade-"
aye would,eay he was in luck"
voice said from the opening door. AIT
er a half minute it went on, the speak
er meanwhile walking to the 1reslde.
ssIJpon my soul! Is this prophetic?
Are you really going to do 1t at
'last?"
"Isaontsknow what you mean, MISS
Es1phem1a said GROSSLY.
DR.. Archibald Bently laughed. He
was a stout man. slightly bald, and
half an inch lower than tall Miss
lEuphemia- He had played with her
in short frocks, being but a year her
elder. and son TO close family friend.
"Bless my sold, Phemy!" he ejacu-
lated, after looking her over. III only
I'd known earlier how stunning you
could be-welf I might have done
something foolish
.-You never will come to things
where people dress like Christians
Miss Elphemia said, still GROSSLY, but
= smile lurked about her mouth.
Janet danced in between them say
Ing sayly: children! Children! Mind
yoy1r manners! And your medicines!
But isn't she the 1ove?' This to the
doctor: ITO think of wearing string
of pearls like that only once in whites.
call 1t SINFUL"
"Yopd wear them every day-to
market, mill and muster" the doctor
laughed.
Janet grew slightly pale. 81? I
Shouldn't dare to wear them at all-or
to keep them," she said. "They are
worth 30 much; and the money!-it
would build houses and homes and
warm cold little children, and comfort
oh, so many! I'm glad to be spared
such trials! 1t would be awful to have
them-and awfuller to give them up.
run away, you young anarchist,
DR.. Bently said, shaking his head.
AS she vanished he took Miss Will
toms hand. 1t was hot and tremulous
so much so he looked startled. In
stantly he called back Janet, also sum-
moned Miss Wilton's maid and had
her put to be%>as quickly as possible.
Grip! No danger unless complica-
tions develop" he told Janet as he
took his leave.
Mrs. Fay was away with her hus-
band: therefore Janet had to be the
family head Nursing Is pretty much
everything" hte doctor went on.
"There's where you come in-she
won't have a professional. Keep her
quiet and send for me If the fever
mounts. Don't lose your head. She's