The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-10-21
Z THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Just Jane.
BY OLIVIA ROBERTS.

Newspaper Syndicate.)
IN AVID CARRlCk did not mean to
be an eavesdroper. He was mere.
- ly an observer Of human nature.
And in that capacity 1t never dawned
on him that he might hear or see
things that were never intended for
other eyes or ears. ]
Right here l was going to tell you
about Jane, but before we get away
from David let me explain little fur
ther that because he was good look
inE-a fatal quality in a man-and
usually clever and Intelligent bad
thing sometimes for q person-he was
getting spoiled And the conscious
ness Of his. superiority. along with his
habit OF studying other people, had
led to sort OF superciliousness In his
composition that was rather repell.
ing.
David was weekend guest at the
Sterritts'. At dinner, Saturday night
James name came up and when few
things had been told, laughed over
and discussed, David exclaimed with
interest, "Who is this Jane you're all
80 crazy about?"
"Just wait till you see her." return
ed his hostess. There really isn't
anything to tell. She's just Jane;
!. that's all. She's dear!"
"Pretty?" to Sterritt.
Eyes. That is, no-I shouldn't say
q beauty either. Oh, she's just Jane"
"Smart?" to Mrs. Merritt.
ives. mean-why. don't know
whether Jane Is smart or not. She
Just has way all her own"
0Gvmnaf haffr 20 IN randpa
"Why, yes! OF course, don't mean
always. The children love her.
though. l can't just say, Mr.. Carrick
thetic or not. You'll just have to see
for yourself"
So jane was neither pretty. smart
nor awfully sympathetic. What was
the secret Of her fascination? And,
advised by each member Of the family
to see for himself, he Determined to
do so-with the odds against Jane.
That night there was hop at the
club and this gave Carrick the oppor-
tunity he crayed for studying types. He
found the usual specimens, nothing he
had not already In his collection OF
humans. There were the first and the
prude, the girl who insisted on telling
him how popular she was, the one
who fished for compliments. the sad
one. the merry one. the silly one, the
sensible one, the sweet one and the
acid one. Then along came Jane!
She wasn't pretty particularly-not
the sort men would fall over each 9TH
er to meet-yet the long lashes over
the gray.blue eyes and the Cupid bow
Of her upper lip had a peculiar effect
on one. These charms accounted to
Carrick somewhat for the spell had
cast over his friends.
He danced two dances with her Just
to hear what she would talk about.
But she didn't talk at all. She danced
divinely, smiled adorably and answer
ed reservedly anything he cared to
start in the way of conversation, but
he realized when 1t was over that he
knew no more about her or what she
was like than he had before.
This piqued his vanity. "She's clev-
Or enough to keep her mouth shut and
keep people guessing as to her men
tality," he concluded.
1t was then that David decided to
eavesdrop. He did not do It deliber-
ately at tirst-he merely embraced the
opportunity when It came. Wanting
smoke, he strolled outside and. find
ing bench deep In the shrubbery be-
low the veranda, he sat down. His
thoughts were busy and bis cigar went
out. 1t was then that he discovered
that he was quite near to the end Of
the veranda that harbored the punch
bowl and that he could hear quite
plainly the conversation Of those max.
Ing excursions Tor sip Of its cooling
contents.
Whats the matter, Jane? asked q
Bhrill feminine voice. Are you tired,
sitting out here all alone?"
David prlcked up his ears. Evident.
~ there was another bench somewhere
that he couldn't see, but that was In
full view Of the veranda.
mo, but it's too warm to dance. II
you stay inside you can't help your.
self. Out here you don't have to re-.
Fuse"
"That sounds conceited," thought
David. II thought so. After all it
Beems to be the chief characteristic
Of. the feminine gender"
!. A few minutes elapsed and some
new people came along.
Hello. Jane! Keeping yourself
LOAARouyk <aAu 5O vi. 1u6u, "QdL
do you think OF Sterritt's guest? Has
q pretty good opinion Of himself, don't
you Think"
David sat up mad took notice. Here
was something unexpected as well as
unpleasant, new sensation entirely.
He held his breath for the answer.
Don't jump to conclusions, Bob,
Maybe he's all right. l rather liked
him" David's ruffled feathers smooth.
ed themselves considerably.
"Oh, he's all right. guess, only he
made me fell as II I ought to bump
my head on the ground every time
he comes near. What Is he? Lawyer,
Isn't her"
II don't know. I really wasn't In.
terested enough to find Quit" answered
Jane.
The feathers ruffled again.
Then others came. Il declare IL II
ls't Jane. Come up and have a drink.
No? Say, what do you think OF that
Carrick? Conceited pup, isn't he?"
Ye gods! Then James voice: No,
he Is not! II a man has anything In
bis head these days he has q right
to be proud Of the distinction, l
guess!"