Gilpin observer., 1913-11-06
Observation-Disclosures
BRAVE LITTLE THING
BY susANNE GLENN.

murmur. And life hadn't been lavish
with gifts at the little brown house.
so that is the last of the Greys at
Grey's Crossing" said the men, when
the train 'had switched round the
curve. Wonder how long 1t will be
before the name changes? should
think Rod might have been better off
right here"
We always thought you and Rod
ney would make a match of 1t, Jane"
the women added. especially since
you were both left alone, So"
Il suppose we know each other too
well to be very sentimental" smiled
Jane. But she slipped her hand into
her pocket and grasped the key to the
little Grey cottage to be sure she was
not having an unhappy dream.
But Jane did not have much time
to mourn the absence of Rodney
Grey from Grey's Crossing. She had
to keep the hens laying and the gar
den and the berry patch productive to
ensure food and clothing for the COM
ing winter.
People said Jane looked over-work-
ed, and that she must have a hard
time of it making living off her lit
tie place. Seems to me" they always
ended, that nice little thing like
Jane has always been. ought to find
a good husband somewhere. They did
not know about the hours she spent
in loving care of that cottage across
the road. Mrs. Grey would have felt
so dreadful to have had it neglected"
she told herself as If some excuse
were demanded for her cwn self-esti
nation.
At rare intervals letters came from
queer. outlandish places Once Rod
ney wrote asking her to rent the place
If she could get anything for it. You
deserve something for the care you
have given it all this time" he said.
Once he sent check that took James
breath, in answer to her statement
that the roof needed patching. do
what fixing is necessary to keep the
old place from falling to pieces" he
wrote, 'and keep the rest for your
self" And when she returned that
money, after paying the local carpen-
ter for repairs. saying that she could
| uOt VI dCCcplluS So large d 6uIu,
the longest letter of all arrived.
You see. I've prospered out here,
Jane" it said. Il had to sit down
and think how that check would have
looked to me in Greys Crossing, not
to be really offended with you for re-.
| turning it,
So Jane began picturing Rodney in
! the place of the millionaires about
whom she read-Rodney riding about
in private car. Rodney in fine raj.
ment smiled upon by beautiful women.
She could scarcely conceal resentment
when the neighbors wondered how
Rod was getting on, anyway" Each
fresh picture of glory which she proud
ly yet reluctantly drew seemed to re-
move him further from her. but she
did not experience despair until the
night she heard of the petition for
changing the name of the Grey's Cross
ing postoffice to Paterson" There's
no Greys here any MORE" explained
the circular of the petition. "and the
Patersons have done a lot for the
town; it don't seem more than fair"
Jane took the pen he held ready for
her and bent above the paper. II
can't do it," she gasped. It'll 60
through without my signature. | reck.
on. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but Il
never can agree to have that name
changed"
81 suppose it will make a sight Of
talk If Jay tells what said,'' she ad.
mitted to herself, and the thought kept
her awake at an unusual hour. 81
don't know what possessed me. any.
way. / never did like changes as some
folks do. The Grey house is here, yet,
whether any of the family is or not"
And she lifted her head from her
troubled pillow to look across to
where she knew the dark bulk of the
house would be showing in the star
light. A bright light was shining
from the kitchen window.
Although Jane had lived alone SO
long, she was a timid little creature
after charming, feminine fashion,
but brave as lion in the face OF duty.
I've got to go over there" she whis-
pered. I've got to see who is In that
house."
Feeling about in the darkness she
dressed with all haste. and stole noise.
lessly from her own door. She had al
most reached the center OF the Grey
yard when the kitchen door was flung
suddenly back and Rodney Grey stood
revealed in the opening.
Jane" he cried, as the light shone
on her white. scared face, II never
thought Of this-I thought you were
asleep"
How did you get in?" gasped Jane,
almost too weak to stand.
81 pried open that hook to the old
woodhouse door. 1t was dark at your
house SO thought would not disturb
you for the key. | never thought Of
your seeing the light and being fright.