The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1912-08-01

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Jane to any country houses of his
friends which possessed unusual feat
| Cres, and the great banker always
found time to go along and satisfy
his thirst for decorative knowledge
| These spins through the gorgeously
| colored October country were fairy
! land to Jane. AS they were ire
| quentiy late returning to town, they
| dined at queer inns or picturesque
| farmhouses. James frequent lateness
| seemed to pass unnoticed by her
friends, and as her financial affairs
| improved, certain Injuries, hitherto
unknown, appeared in the apartment
Isn't she the darling?" remarked
Miss Day. Just think of her trudg-
ing all the way to the market for per-
simmons because she knew / liked
them. Most girls would be too much
taken up with their own affairs to
think of others. She's wonderfully
unselfish.'
Indeed she is," agreed Miss Ma
son. do you know I have an idea
that she is very fond of Mr.. Lord In
a delightfully."- friendly way, so let's
be careful not to spoil her innocent
pleasure in his kindness and consider
alton for her. She is such a sensi-
tive little goose, and if she got the
idea that his interest is more for her
than her work it would be a shock
He can't help admiring her work, u
answered the loyal Miss Day. Meth.
er can he help admiring such an
earnest little worker. Jane is too
sensible to misunderstood his kind.
ness"
She got up to answer the doorbell
and returned carrying long box.
That's the third box of American
raauties this week." she observed,
Il hope he doesn't overdo it." be
gan Miss Day, anxiously. If"
But Jane returned from the country
at this juncture and the sentence was
never completed.
It's just too wonderful" sighed
Jane. Il seem to be living in q
dream. 81 hate to look around and
see how little there is to be done.
Two more weeks and I'm through"
Maybe you'll get Mr.. Lords town
Mason, the practical.
NO, Mr.. Lord means to sell thai
town house and live exclusively in
the country. Personally, | can't un
derstand why anybody should desire
such an enormous mansion"
Very likely he means to announce
his engagement" observed Miss Day,
holding a sketch at arms length fld
inspecting it critically.
Jane gave an odd, hysterical giggle
and jumped up quickly.
Good night, girls, I'm going to
bed"
But on the threshold she turned
rs 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. Its
like Jane, too, to forgive a person
the second after a nasty dig and of
fer to do something for her. | never
dreamed that she cared about him.
Locks as though she does"
Miss Mason nodded slowly ''In
that case | suppose it's better that
the house will be finished so soon, "
she said moodily.
The rapidly progressing work did
not inspire Jane with any great
amount of regret. Her pleasure in it
was suddenly gone.
III 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. III this contract is going to
make her unhappy, l, for one, am
sorry that she ever got it."
Here tool" replied Miss Day. "One
can easily see how she avoids dis
cussing the house or Mr.. Lord, and
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 noticeably 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 Cartere"
he asked, smiling systematically.
The second he was gone, Jane hur-
ried off to her room.
81 know what the surprise Is" an
n6unced Miss Mason. He has fixed
up this house for his wife, and per-
haps told Jane this evening coming
into town"
Il don't know what ever l would
night" groaned Miss Day
At last the house was completed.
Mr. Lord called for the trio In his
motor, but scarcely 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 glass
| of light wine in his hand.