The Oskaloosa herald., 1914-03-12
COINS BACK TO CLARA
BY JAMES BURTON.

there For an instant he didn't recog-
nize her; he saw only demure,
pretty figure in brown, dressed with
a neatness and trimness that had
nothing to do with the prevailing
mode in woman's attire. IA
"Of course you know me-" she said,
offering him her bare hand pulled
from her muff, and then with surprise
he recognized Jane Putnam, Clara's
sister.
He stammered something about his
surprise and pleasure, and she went
on: isn't there private Office? L
don't like to make explanations here"
She inclined her head toward the Ste
nographer and the office boy, and
Tom led her into his small inner
office.
Here Tom seated her in his large
armchair at his desk and drew a
small chair up for himself. "You
were mighty good to come to see
me-" he said, fumbling for her rea-
son.
"Of course it is quite secret" said
Sldld WOulu nave III 1 she
knew, and probably never will know"
Tom bowed his head at the mention
of Clara's name.
IT'S this way. OF course, you
know that l know that you asked
Clara to marry her. and / have found
out that you haven't married or be-
come engaged since. made sure of
that. You told her you wouldn't
saw it in letter And Clara hasn't
married-not because she wouldn't,
but because there isn't anybody out
in Greensville to marry. and we never
go anywhere else. There are just two
of us and grandmother, and you can
imagine 1t isn't exactly exciting, and
Clara is getting-getting-
Thomas was amused. To him Jane
had always seemed an amusing child,
and six years hadn't seemed to
change her. But what would be the
use?" he asked her, with assumed
gravity. "Clara's answer was final"
"A girls answer is never final"
said Jane eagerly. That was the
whole trouble. Oh, didn't want to
tell you then! Why, you could have
got her to say yes so easily then il
you had only known how to manage.
That letter you wrote to ask her
wasn't half imperative enough, and
why did you write, anyway? Why
didn't you come and tell herr"
Then you saw the letter." said
Thomas, feeling a touch of indigna-
ton at the old love.
Yes, of course / did, and helped
Clara answer it. I didn't think you
would take 1t as final"
Then did Clara-did she Do you
think she would have married me?"
She didn't love you II that is what
you are trying to ask, said Jane.
But girl like Clara doesn't ever
fall in love till she has been married
few years. She wouldn't think it
was dignified. But she would have
married you If you had clustered a
little. I could show you how"
Il see," said Thomas, leaning over
James chair and toying with her muff.
Then"
There. why didn't you ever do
anything like that? But you we're so
solemn. There wasn't a grain OF flirt
in you"
In a few more minutes CONVERSE
ton Jane and Thomas had laid their
plans for the capture Of Clara. Tom
was to come out to Greensville on
the pretense of having business to at
10 IL 10 t1A
Putnams, say nothing about having
seen Jane, and in the meantime Jane
was to give him all the help and ad.
vice she could.
When Tom presented himself at the
Putnam home in Greensville Clara
greeted him with restrained cordial.
ity, with a touch of forgiveness and
pity in her voice that Tom didn't
think he deserved.
Jane hasn't changed much" he
said to Clara one day. "By the way,
is she engaged"
Il am sure I don't know" said
Clara.
Tom made his business detain him
for several days, and every evening
and several afternoons he took occa-
sion to come over to the Putnam
house, and as usual Jane would dis
appear when he entered the door,
and he would founder with Clara.
One day when he had made up his
mind he would insist on seeing Jane,
he had the good fortune to meet her
at the door.
Il have something dreadful to tell
you," said Jane.
and have disappointing news for
you" said Tom, hooking her serious
tone. 81 am going to back down on
my end Of the bargain. l can't press
my suit with Clara, even if knew
how, because this time I'm not in love
with her. am in love with some
one else"
Jane drew back ever so slightly.
you ought to have told me before"
she said slowly, 'but suppose It is
we'll for then the news have for you
won't be such a blow Clara's en-
gagged" .-..
And are you engaged, too, Jane?
That is the only thing care about"
Thomas laid his hand on her arm
impulsively.
Jane looked up and laughed. "Of
nnurca not che oaid