Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1912-02-29

Two more weeks and I'm through. IS"
Maybe you'll get Mr. Lords town
house to dc. over, suggested Miss
Mason, the practical
No, Mr.. Lord means to sell that
town house and live exclusively in
the country. Personally, / can't I'M
derstand why anybody should desire
such an enormous mansion. I"
Very likely, he means to announce
his engagement" observed Miss Day,
holding a sketch at arms length and
inspecting it critically u
Jane gave an odd, hysterical giggle
and jumped up quickly
Good night, girls, I'm going to
bed.
But on the threshold she turned.
Is there anything can do for eth
er of you ~ she asked
That was brutal of you!" exclaim.
ed Miss Mason, severely.
1t was rather raW to say that and
/ could bite out my tongue now
answered Miss Day, regretfully. cts
like Jane, too, to forgive person
the second after a nasty dig and Of.
fer to do something for her. I never
dreamed that she cared about him.
Looks as though she does'
Miss Mason nodded slowly ssIn
that case / suppose it's better that
the house will be finished so soon,' "
she said modify Il
The rapidly progressing work did
not inspire Jane with any great
amount of regret. Her pleasure in 1t
was suddenly gone. " II. VI.
I'll be happy when it is all over
and done with, she told the girls.
The last two weeks seemed to
cause her. considerable restlessness.
She has something on her mind
as sure as anything" observed Miss
Mason. If this contract is going to
make her unhappy, |, for one, am
sorry that she ever got it. z
Here too" replied Miss Day. ..One
can easily see how she avoids dis.
cussing the house or Mr.. Lord, and
that's not natural when a task has
been well and speedily accomplished, =
One evening Mr.. Lord brought Jane
home in his motor, as the slush was
unspeakable. He stayed some little
time talking about his plans for the
future. Jane was no.siceably silent,
but it seemed an effort for her not to
enter into the conversation.
At last Mr.. Lord arose. "The day
Miss Carter says my house is fin
ished, you must all come out to a eel
ebration dinner. Now don't forget.
I'm keeping big surprise for that
event! Isn't that so, Miss Carter?"
he asked, smiling systematically.
The second he was gone, Jane hur-
ried off to her room
Il know what the surprise isl an
lnounced, Miss Mason. He has fixed
up this house for his wife, and per-
s9haps told Jane this evening coming
into town.
Il don't know what ever l would
do if he were to announce it that
night" groaned Miss Day.
At last the house was completed.
Mr.. Lord called for the trio in his
motor, but scarcely a word was spok-
en- on the way out. The tour through
the fresh, beautiful rooms filled the
girls with sadness. Jane was unus-
ually quiet, and even the lavish praise
bestowed upon her failed to lift the
veil of quiet which seemed to envelop
her. She presided at the dinner table
in an equally silent mood.
At last Mr.. Lord stood up, q glass
of light wine in his hand.
Now for the surprised" he cried.
gayly. I'VE must drink to the future
mistress Of this house!"
Miss Mason and Miss Day choked
down a sip. Of the wine, and dared
not look toward poor Jane There
was an awkward pause #8
Won't you give me your good
wishes, girls?' asked Jane, in a wee,
small voice. You don't know how
many times have nearly let the cat
out of the bag these last few weeks.
The only safe course was not to talk
at all"
Then the astonished girls saw Mr..
Lord put his arm around James waist
and draw her towards him. q
Ladies now drink it this time
to the future mistress Of this house!'
he exclaimed joyfully.
y r. . Il Z & 4