The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1910-06-25

esDulCirner Jane
By CLARISSA MACKIE

hammer Tell with gathering d1ScOrd.
And so the dulcimer uttered its last
plaintive cry.
With little cry of grief Ann threw
on her wraps and rushed to the vii
lage. This time she passed the post
Office and entered a small white cot
tage that fanked one side of large
grocery store. 1t was in this cottage
| that Jimmy Roe lived alone with his
mother.
Ann walked briskly to the front
door, her thin lips set in a straight line
under her sharp little nose. She con-
| trasted the freshly-painted and we'll
preserved building with her own de-
caying house. which Jane had indif-
ferently neglected for ten years. 1t
was AIMS money that was spent on
| the food and clothing, while Jane
recklessly expended her portion on
books and music.
The front door, opened and Amanda
Roe's bright black eyes stared in
quisitively at Ann.
Good morning, Ann Roswell
come in. do! It's a mighty long time
since you favored me with a call"
She led the way into the warm sitting
|
front of the glowing stove. sit
! down"
Ann paused in the middle of the
room and leaned against the high
| back of the rocker with folded arms.
Il won't sit down." she said, slowly.
Il came to see you on business"
Obi" Amanda Roe's glance soft
ened. Il hope there amt nothing the
matter with Dulcimer Jane" she said,
/ quickly.
"Dulcimer janet" AIMS voice
was harsh and strained. You needn't
call her that any more, Mrs. Roe!
| just heard this morning that you nick
named Jane years ago and that every
body in the village has called her
Dulcimer Jane, and so l told her-and
you needn't call her that any more!
She burned up all her music books
/ and the dulcimer, too, and now she
hasn't got any pleasure at all! l hope
you're satisfied" Ann flung out one
mittened hand accusingly.
Amanda Roe covered in her chair
and her bright eyes fell to the floor
and studied the gay rag carpet. Il
didn't mean any real HARM she
quavered. Jane was that proud she
wouldn't look at my Jimmy and him
breaking his heart all these years, and
so patient and kind-no son was ever
like him!"
1T was before that you made
trouble. You never liked my sister
Jane. You didn't want Jimmy to
marry her, and so he never asked her.
and it's Jane who has been breaking
| | D11f no ryio
| hood and come to the store with me-
she commanded, kindly.
Amanda Roe obeyed, and together
they fastened down the path to the
store as if this happiness which had
been so long withheld from patient
Jimmy Roe might elude them after
ALL
In rallied enclosure, James Roe
was bending over his books. He
flushed to the roots of his hair as
Ann Roswell appeared beside his
mother.
Whats the matter, mother? Ann
Is there anything the matter with
Jane?'' His voice came sharper than
either woman had ever heard it ring.
Ann spoke. mo = nothing more
than there ever has been. Jimmy
only your mother and me have
thrashed everything all out and some
things are plain. Jane has burned up
all her music and her dulcimer, and,
If you really want her. you'd better go
up there now. l know she's never for.
got you'll"
Without a word, James Roe slipped
into his overcoat and damned a hat
on his head. A strangely boyish look
came into his face as he came out of
the office.
kiss me and wish me luck.
mother" he said, pausing beside the
trembling old lady.
Good luck, Jimmy. and ask Jane
to forgive me and say l won't take it
hard if she don't want to live with
me-" she whispered.
That will be all right, mother.
Wen all live together-eh. Ann?" he
said, kindly.
Run along, dol" urged Ann.
After the door had closed behind
Jimmy Roe, the two women left the
store to the clerks, and walked back
to the cottage.
Don't go home yet, Ann" begged
Mrs. Roe at the gate. I'm awful
afraid something might happen yet
to spite it all and do want Jane and
Jimmy to be happy now; you can't tell
how they'd take it if they was inter
rupted now!"
I'll come in awhile; want to get
your recipe for graham bread hear
it's famous"
You can have it and welcome-and
| i
Jimmy's mother.