The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-07-26
DELIBERATE MISS JOAN
Copyright, 1915. By the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate)
BY JEAN A. SMYTHE.



and laid pine log on the fire. As |
Mito passed a table he flicked aside |
little dust. moving, as he did SO,
big white box tied with blue ribbons.
Suddenly the portiere was whirled
impetuously aside and a woman en-
tered the room. There was glimpse
of Mito's frightened, astounded face
as the curtain swung back.
"Peter!" she said with a catch in
her voice.
Peter Dodds lower jaw dropped
ludlcrously. If anyone had asked him
to wager his life as to the last woman
in the world who would rush impetu-
ously into his studio at the close of
this March day, or any day-he would
have confidently staked his existence
on that one wOman-Joan HenShawe
Yet, here she was-Joan Henshawei
Older by seven years since he had
last looked on her fair loneliness ex-
ulting in her statuesque beauty; hat
ing her for her cool, serenity; loving
her always-bitterly
Joan stood there, lovely color in
vading her cool cheeks. She wore
black and white, and by contrast her
eyes were very blue and her hair very
shining.
Don't you remember me, Peter?"
she asked
'Of course l do-Joan Henshawe.
was surprised to see you, that's all.
Here of all places. Did you come
alone?" By this time he had shaken
hands conventionally and pushed for
ward a deep fireside chair.
Then he pressed a button for Mito
Tea, Mito," he ordered. "and you
may light the lamps"
In the soft glow of lamplight, Peter
poured the tea and passed Mito's
crisp japanese cakes.
You came here at once-to see
me? You are not in trouble" he
hesitated, because Joan's sudden ap-
pearance there was the most sig
nificant thing in the world to Peter
| Dodd It meant that some great ex-
| perience had sent her to him for help.
| Because Joan, the sweet. fmperturb-
| able one, had never done an impulsive
| thing in her well-ordered, deliberate
| life.
Il am very glad to see you,'' he said
simply, and then sat staring into the
i fire.
Joan arose and. moved about the
room, pausing now and then to study
a picture or touch bit Of bric-a-brac.
Finally she stood at the teakwood
table looking down at the box of
chocolates and the box of violets.
This is my birthday, Peter" she
said at last
''Yes-I know it," said Peter.
Are these-for me?" she asked.
Peter Strengthened and stared at
her.
yes" he said at last; 81 didn't send
them-I never do, you know"
mot now" agreed Joan. Il missed
them. What have you done with 9TH
ers, Peter?''
For answer Peter strobe across the
room to a carved chest and flung
open the lid. Within were a dozen
boxes-many of them bearing the i'm.
print of oriental sweetmeat shops;
some contained curios; Joan caught
glimpses of bits of ivory toys.
Those are all my birthday gifts
since you went away?" she asked.
Peter nodded 81 bought 'em-and
pretended l sent 'em; but it was all
a CHASTITY farce; this is my cupboard
of skeletons. Here belong these 9th
ers!" He took the two boxes from
the table and tossed them into the
chest
Joan as promptly took them out
She opened the purple box and pinned
the fragrant violets on her breast
Then she knelt down and hastily
fshed out the remaining boxes on the
. table and closed the empty chest
1T would make a good linen chest,
she said. musingly.
| Peter Dodd came and planted his
clenched fists on the table. He looked
, at her across the unsent birthday of
, ferings.
What is the game. Joan?" ht
; asked.
: Uncle Gregory told me today tina
you were in New York-had been fol
: six months didn't know" There
was note in her voice he had never
heard
Il didn't know you were here-yo,
didn't come to see me- she accused
him.
Peter lifted his haggard eyes.
And so-and sol came after you
Peter!" she flung out passionately.
> You came after-me?" He wa
coming around the table.
"Yes-because I wanted to see you
. Oh, Peter, missed you SOL"
: And the deliberate Joan Henshaw,
buried her shining head on Peter
9 shoulder and hid her sweet, shame
face from his adoring eyes.