Catoctin clarion., 1917-01-04
Just Jane I!
BY OLIVIA ROBERTS.


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 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
ing-a fatal quality in man-and un-
usually clever and intelligent-a bad
thing sometimes for a persOn-he was
getting spoiled.
David was week end 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 a dear!"
That night there was 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 collecs
tion Of humans. Then along came
Jane!
He danced two dances with her just
fn hat hn foil
But she didn't talk at all. She danced
divinely, smiled adorabIy 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 frst-he merely embraced the
opportunity when it came. Wanting
a smoke, he strolled outside and, find
ing bench deep in the shrubbery be-
low the veranda, he sat down. His
thoughts We're busy and his cigar
went out. 1t was then that he discov-
cred that he was quite near to the end
of the veranda that harbOred the
punch bowl and tnat he could hear
quite plainly the conversation Of
those making excursions for 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
ly there was another bench somewhere
that he couldn't see, but that was in
full view of the veranda.
"No, 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 SterrittS guest?
Has pretty good opinion Of himself,
cont you thnk?'
David sat up and 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 rutfled 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,
he is not If 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 a
week and in that time he underwent
as many changes as caterpillar. He
came out 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 Geen
pretty much Of a cad. Besides, Ia
like to see little Jane"
James eyes widened quickly, then
narrowed, when she saw him and she
flushed consciously. "Tm 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
have taken such notion to her." he
kept explaining to himself. Its be-
cause she is so kind and fair-mindSd."
That night when Jane looked hap
PLY into her mirror she shook her
finger at her reflection reprovins;ly.
"You bad girl" she scolded. "You let
him stay that night and hear all those
dreadful things about himself just to
teach him lesson, and you posed as
little saint on your own account.
snow he likes you all to pieces and
is getting really sentimental. What
are you going to do about it? One
thing you are not going to do. You
are never going to let on you saw him
sitting there that night. And, another
thing, you are going to keep him guess.
ing for a long, long time how much
you really do care about him."
All of which, IL David had known, he
would have said proved that the chief