Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-12-04
Observation-Disclosures! |. !. |. !. /. |.
Brave LITTLE Thing
Rv SUSANNA GLENN.

others to tell him goodbye. Jane was
always a brave little thing, accepting
whatever life brought without much
murmur And life hadn't been LAVISH
with gifts at the little brown house
so that Is the last of the Greys al
Gyey's Crossing" said the men, when
the train had switched round the
curve. wonder how long it will be
before the name changes? ! should
think Rod might have been better OH
right here
I'VE 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 mad
W hCtp llS hGAo idS lhe ohA sAS o.
den and the berry patch productive to
ensure food and clothing for the COM
ing winter.
People said Jane looked overwork-
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 own self-esu'
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
not think of accepting so large sum,
lattnr nf oil arrival
you see, I've prospered out here,
Jane" it said. II had to sit down
and think how that check would have
looked to me in Grey's 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 a 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-
uloNC lhSi hCi, Duh N
did not experience despair until the
night she heard of the petition for
changing the name Of the Grey's Cross
ing postofiice 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 go
through without my signature, reck
on. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but
never can agree to have that name
changed"
Il suppose 1t 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. Il
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 a lion in the face Of duty
IN ch ,,-bi
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, Il never
thought of thisI 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
ened."
II should not have seen 1t once out
of a hundred times" she stammered,
thinking of the reason for her wake
fulness. But I'm real glad to see you,
Rodney" He went down the starlit
path then and shook hands with her
and insisted upon going with her
across to her own door. You will
come over and have breakfast with
me?" she insisted There isn't a