The Wahpeton times., 1916-11-23
l)sT u|lE !.
BY OLIVIA ROBERTO.

I$ BY OLIVIA ROBERTA
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David Carrick did not mean to be,
an eavesdrOpper. He was merely an
observer of human nature. And In!
that capacity it never dawned on him
that he might hear or see things that
were never intended for other eyes or
ears.
Right here I WIS going to tell you
about Jane, but before we get away
from David let me explain q little fur
ther that because he was good look
tng-a fatal quality in man-and un-
usually clever and intelligent-a bad
thing sometimes for person-he was
getting spoiled.
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
SO crazy about?"
"Just wait till you see her." re-
turned his hostess. '"There really isn't
anything to tell. She's just Jane;
that's all. She's dear!'
That night there was a hop at the
club and this gave Carrick the OppOr-
tunity he craved for studying types.
He found the usual specimens, moth
ing he had not already in his cOllec:
tiOn Of humans. Then along came
Jane!
He danced two dances with her just
to hear what she would talk about.
But she didn't talk ut all. She danced
divinely, smiled adorably and an
swered reservedly anything he cared
to start in the way of conversation.
but he realized when it was over that
he knew no more about her or what
she was like than he had before.
1t was then that David decided to
eavesdrop. He did not do It deliber-
ately at arst-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 his cigar
went out. It was then that he discov-
cred 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 making excursions for q sip Of
Its cooling contents.
'What's the matter, Jane?" asked a
shrill feminine voice. "Are you tired,
sitting out here all alone?"
David pricked 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. If
you stay inside you can't help your
self. Out here you don't have to re-
fuse"
A few minutes elapsed and some
new people came along.
"Hello, Jane! Keeping yourself
company?" And so on. Then, "What
do you think of Sterritt's guest?
Has pretty good opinion of himself,
don't you think?"
David sat up and took notice. Here
was something unexpected as we'll as
unpleasant, a new sensation entirely.
He held his breath for the answer.
"Don't jump to conclusions, Bob.
Maybe he's all right. rather liked
him." David's ruffled feathers
smoOthed themselves considerably.
Then others came. II declare If it
isn'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,
ne Is not! If a man has anything
in his head these days he has right
to be proud of the distinction, L
guess!'
"Ouch!" CALCULATED the offender.
David was experiencing conflicting
sensations. He was beginning to find
that Jane had spirit. She wasn't. the
insipid person he had thought her aft
er all. But why, oh, why, did she feel
called upon to defend him?" He
loved her for it.
David thought over things for q.
week and in that time he underwent
as many changes as caterpillar. He
came out a different person, humble
as the dust.
I'm going back to Jack Sterritt's
Saturday and try to make good with
those people. I guess I have been
pretty much Of cad. Besides, I'd
like to see little Jane"
James eyes widened quickly, then
narrowed, when she saw him and she
flushed consciously. "I'm very glad to
see you, Mr.. Carrick."
'Then I'm repaid for coming" he
returned meaningly.
He stayed with her nearly all eve
ming, finding himself unwilling to
leave her side. II know why it is I
have taken such notion to her." he
kept explaining to himself. TITS be-
cause she is so kind and fair-minded."
That night when Jane looked hap