The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-02-14
BY sUsANNE GLENN.
1911. by ASSOCIATE"
Literary Press.

Isl SUZANNE nAIsN-'. "a
tCopyright, 1911. by AsSoe'"'o"
Literary Press.
Miss Janet has been down 10 get
her valentines, gigled Flossie Brown
peeping out at the trim figure hurry
.frluss,e Brown win be making fua
because / went to the postoifice to-
aav.,' murrnured Miss Janet 20 herseif.
seeing the saucy. peering race, nut
dent care l gust had to go No"
II can get home without seeing nun
But behind her sharp steps crushed
the snow and rang clearly on the
crisp air. and moment later James
wybrant hurried past her with aVerted
lace. Had he. too, been looking for
saientipeg
Poor Miss Jane shrsnk away from
him In the dull February twilight
like a guilty thing. Yet she had not
the faintes; idea what had changed
the mans lovcrlike attentions TO an
ennity Of ten weary years duration.
And 1t happened on Saint Valentines
day.
Il was quite young and pretty
then" she murmured a little pathe-
ficaIIy. and now I'm now Just Aunt
Janet, an undesirable but rather con-
venient member OF some one else
family
Tears sprang TO her eyes, and her
lips quivered
Il don't care If I do cry. I should
think might have that privilege once
in a while. and there is never time
al home"
Miss Janet found no privacy In her
brothers family. All day there was
never-ending duties for her willing
hands. and at night there was always
the oldest niece, whom she had pity
ingly taken In when the second baby
came. and who now began to look
upon Aunt Janet as an unnecessary
adiutant TO their room.
Ten years. and 1t seemed like yes
ferday. SO close had she held the
memory. Her heart hurried little
and her thin cheeks flushed as she
saw again the happy girl in her pink,
frilly frock who waited in the little
parior for the man who had even now
passed her with such sighting cold
ness
How carefully he once had wrapped
her I'm the warm robes. How he had
cared for her with the tender atten-
lions dear to woman's heart before
all the young people gathered at the
rustic party. How his voice had
thrilled as he babe her good night
under the blinking stars.
ITO morrow la Saint Valentines
. day" he had reminded her. You
needn't send me q valentine. dear;
I'll come after it myself"
And ne never came. He never
camel Miss Janet now sobbed out
right.
Il will not think Of It she cried
with sudden vehemence, and I'll
never be such poor. weak goose as
to go for the trail on Valentine day
again, I'll just hurry home and go to
work No one seems TO want me.
But i will not be silly, self plying
creature another day Of my iffe."
James Whybrant threw his mall
upon the living room table with a
defiant fling The daily paper, farm
journal and an advertisement for sta
tionary gasoline engines.
We'll. what did you expect" he
demanded harshly
Drawing a chair before the fire, h,
sat down moodily to await his house
keepers call to supper.
YOU have been t4nsuqernbfy rude.
urged the gentle spirit Of the man In.
sistently. and she looks thin ano
worn and tired
''R1t she prefers this life to me-
whispered Pride. She did her OWE
choosing"
Still, she was only a girl-~she may
have changed her mind"
''She shall live by her own deci
sion" Jared Pride. "and---so shall II
but will not live happily~-thert
always viii be the regret. and hei
) sgashappf4aess before 'y3ut'' a. - '
Then, cried NJames Whyhrant
aloud. I'll go where l can live ir
peace!"
All through his silent meal hi.
mind was at work.
He would go to his brother whC
was always begging him TO come
South 4 neighboring farmer woult
gladly rent his land, and the, ,olt
fttllsekeeper could live on in tht
house as long az abe desired
.*Tll see Fred Hall to- morrow