The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-25
PLUCkING A GOOSE

want to know is--have got = fair
chance?"
rs there any other man in your
way? Jane asked, almost Uemu-
lousy. "
Moore snorted: Il most wish there
was' he said. "As far az l know.
I'm tho only man that's ever looked
at her this way. That's what makes
| It 70 hard---she don't seem to under
| stand" ~
who Is shee don't understand,
| either" Jane cried. her voice sharp.
who can IL be but Penny? Miss
Pennsylvania Dancy, Hen'u sister,"
Moore retorted almost angriiy. Lord!
II only she cared as much for me as
she does for those brats OF hts.
Right nice little tricks, ! must Say
| II only they weren't always 10 in my
way. How can you court . girl with
a lummox-y three-year-old clawing
to get In your lap. and q big boy tell
ing you over all the things he's
learned at schooi--and . girl that
wants to teach you kindergarten
tricks?"
why. / think II would be dim
cult" Jane admitted tudiciaiiy, as
Moore sopped short !.
He rushed on: And Penny thinks
it's all right. Brightest kind Of all
right. ] know ! never can get at her
unless you'fi help me-
How" Jane asked.
Moore looked deeply injured. "Just
by telling her you're going 20 marry
Ben--she says you're the only
should put over her darl!ngs. So
here's your chance OF telling truth
are you going to take him?"
Not unless he asks me-" Jane said
demurely and smiling q little a. II
there was a tlghtness In her throat
Moore laughed huge relieved gut
faw. lust YOU let me know IL he
I don't, and In short order I'll thrash
him In an inch OF his Iife,"
THANK YOU very much--kut had
rather you wouldn't. Think OF the
children!' Jane returned. Besides.
can't you prevail on Penny to adopt
you. anyway One more doesn't
mean much when YOU have already .
family
II never thought OF that. I'll 20
right straight and ask her." Moore
said. giggiing like a schoolboy. Ana
I'll scare old Ben something awful.
A good fellow. a mighty good fellow
but slow. Ny heaven. Even being
q widower hasn't cured him."
With that he shot away. Jane
n
Of anger mixed with relief. She had
a saving perception Of humor---in q
minute she was laughing. not acidiy,
but with genuine amusement.
go / don't have TO choose after
all" she said to herself. "But Penny.
Whoever would have thought Il. L
would rather she had Jim than any
body else--she deserves . good home
then she has behaved beautifully 20
me-
"You look a. II you had heard good
news, Sister Eliet commented an
hour later. when Jane came into the
sitting room.
Jane went up to her. straightened
her cap. picked up three dropped
stitches in the glove she WAS knitting,
then said. shame-facedfy. "Auyt
Phoebe--will you please FORGET Some
foolish talk of mine? I've been talk
fnE with Ben down at the gate---hs
stopped AZ he went by--and---and---
everything 10 settled. I'm not going
to kill my goose, neither to pluck on
the holsters. We shall be married
next monfh---won't you give W. Joy?"
Surely, child~ Sister Ellet said
heartily. And my silver teapot into
the bargain. know we've been often
cranky and crtss-cross one with IN.
othsr-but It come over me. ~ I sat
here, you've got heap Of good In
you--And you haven't had the best
chance and courage enough to mother
Ben's Children
II shall try" jana half whispered.
"YDu se@--I know what It II to lack
mothertng myself"