The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1914-12-03


side after dinner and battled with an
endless host OF mosquitoes. when he
had smoked himself dizzy he would
succumb 70 a superior force and join
Jane inside. Lights made IL more un.
comfortable within, so, usually, they
sat in the dark and talked until bed
time.
Friends came from the city occasion
ally, but their visits were net fire.
quently repeated. 1t was a tremen.
dous trip from Harlem or the Heights,
where their few acquaintances lived.
and one by one all but Dick dropped
away lie ctme regularly every We'd
nesday.
They tried two or three trips to
New York themselves. but the dis
tance made these hardship rather
than pleasure and there was the
added expense. Once when they at
tempted little dinner after night
at roof garden they missed the last
| boat and had to stay at hotel. Bob
tried to conceal his misgivlngs as to
how this would affect the weeks
finances, but Jane knew. They gave
II up and stayed at home
So the summer passed and fall came.
Bob missed his garden. Frost nipped
the tomatoes that had been so late In
starting and this marked the last OF
their outdoor activities. The monot-
ony for both began to pail. but they
hid their feelings from each other.
More and more lane sought refuge
in the futile companionship of the Cos
siping Mrs. Collins. They went occa-
sionally to New York for the matinees,
but more frequently to spend an after
noon in idle wandering through the
stores, for the funds of each were
frugal. They we're returning from
euch a Journey one evening in late
October.
Come in and rest minute" Jane in
vited, as they reached her bungalow.
Il know I'm tired and guess you are"
Going to the matinee from Staten
Island sure does one up" Mrs. Collins
acquiesced and she glanced about with
a longing air as IL she hoped her
neighbor might offer something in the
way Of resuscitation.
Jane comprehended readily, but as
she had nothing to offer she let the
hint go unnoticed.
THE trip is certainly terrible" she
agreed. Coming home on those fer
ries and trolleys nearly drives me wild
sometimes"
But it's worth while after all. /"
| fnA
know what l would do II didn't just
pick up and go where / can breathe
the air of Manhattan once in a while.
And the matinees! used to go two
or three times a week when | had my
little fiat in Amsterdam avenue. just
love the theaters. Didn't you think
the show this afternoon was lovely
mo. didn't" Jane answered, 81 just
hated It. That beautiful home, those
servants and those lovely gowns. As
II anyone could believe that heroine
could be unhappy with all she had
And II does seem as II those things
wefe going TO be out Of reach for
ever"
The play. in so far as material en-
VlrOnment was concerned, nau pre-
sented the very antithesis of their owr
life. All the luxuries and indulgencet
that money can give were vividly por
trayed, but the sequel proved the fndis
putable maxim, AL that glitters is moi
gold" Jane had an innate longing fol
more lofty station in life than wai
hers. She believed that poverty and iti
petty exactions were her worst foes anC
that any woman. given the opportuni
ties that money bestows, had the max
ing of happiness within her hands. She
had no sympathy or tolerance for the
theory that wealth breeds discomfort
and woe. Mrs. Collins. on the othel
hand, while not gifted with an ana
lytical mind, had a rough and read,
sense of perceptive. She was as font
: OF good things in life as one, but sh,
was actuated in her longings by I
spirit of jealousy rather than the be
lief that the best was rightfully hers
So she sympathized with the hoi polio
and rejoiced when the wealthy heroine
= wept. While she did not observe thu
fine distinction between herself ant
I Jane, abe recognized their common
bond OF complaint and attempted
solace
CTo BE coNTINUED.)