The Colorado statesman., 1911-07-15

cab at the Beach Harbor station.
The old house on the blum. she add
ed by way of explanation.
THE old house, miss7" he inquired
In surprise.
Yes" Janet assured him and then
sank back into her seat with feel
Ing OF resignation. The last lap OF
her journey was in progress. She
had come and It was too late to go
back. After having emphatically re-
fused to join the Pratt house-party she
had impulsively changed her mind and
had come by herself to Beach Harbor.
It's all over, now" she thought.
IT know he'll propose and OF course
I'll have to accept ! can't hold MIN
off any longer! She was picturing
to herself the certain Joy her arrival
would bring to George Pratt-and his
complete surprise after her abrupt re-
fusal
Janet peered anxiously through the
trees as they approached the house.
but there wasn't even a light 10
cheer her. She hurried from the car
riage to the deserted veranda. and
pulled the door knocker impatiently.
She was not expected. to be sure. but
someone should be at home.
Slowly through the darkness within
she heard footsteps. A servant, the
cook obviously, opened the door mar
rowly and regarded her with curios-
ity.
"Oh!" she said in slow surprise as
Janet asked whether any member OF
/ of hnrna
luggage which the driver had left be-
side Janet seemed to afford her some
enlightment, and seizing the bags In
her strong hands she led the way up
stairs.
But l want to see Miss Pratt or
Mrs. Pratt" said Janet impatiently.
"Oh, yes" said the servant with
difficulty. "Oh, yesi" Apparently
these words were the extent of her
English vocabulary and Janet followed
whittier she was led.
Once left in the dimly-lighted bed
room Janet stood surprised and dis
appointed with feeling that some
how 1t was all Georges fault Sud
denly her eyes caught sight OF prob
able clue to her difficulties in the mir
ror over the dressing table.
"Noticei" was printed In large
masculine letters on the back of
folded sheet of paper. Janet seized
It and felt telling tale blush as she
recognized Georges writing.
"Of course the cook can't explain
it began abruptly. She's duner.
Glad you came even for the finish.
We've gone over to the other house
for a dance. If you aren't too done
up to dress now Join us over there.
It's through the woods to the right
and along the beach to the first
house. There wasn't room for us all
over here SO we rented another cot
tage."
Surely the message was from
George. but how unlike the George
that Janet knew How had he found
out that she had decided to come? If
he did know how unlike him not to
wait for her!
With the color rising In her cheeks
Janet re-read the brief note.
IF want to come!" she said to
herself. whatever else can ! do.
I can't spend the evening in this de-
|
wish / had never decided to come"
Janet was fumbling nervously
through her wardrobe which she had
burriedly packed that morning with
special reference to Georg" Pratts
taste. She pulled out confusion OF
ribbons. silks and laces and as she
hurried dressed she was laying deep
plans. 1t was clear to her now that
George had written that curt note
with a purpose. He was no doubt try
ing to humiliate her by a pretense at
Indifference, hoping in that way to
make some impression on her stub
horn affections But Janet had decid-
ed never to relent under this treat
ment In fact she was convinced now
that she would never relent. She
would have good time, too, she
promised herself and just show George
how little she cared for him.
quarter of an hour later Janet
was ready, and throwing light even
inc wrap over her shoulders she
atarted down the starlit beach towards
the woods as George had described.
Her Imagination was working over
time as she pictured to herself the ut
tor Indifference she would show George
upon her arrival at the other house.
Her Indignation made her forget her
loneliness until she reached the
grove with its heavy growth of trees
and underbrush.
far-off cry of an owl recalled her
to the discomfort of her task 1t oc-
curred to her that the hour was late
for a solitary stroll through the woods.
that her little slippers were already
half full of sand and that she was
really decidedly timid. But it was
mart of her plan to reach the dance.
and she plodded on. She tripped
against an unexpected root in the
natb and put her hand out for the
inbospitable aid of tree trunk.