The Green Forest tribune., 1917-03-02
THE MAN IN THE STORM
By OLIVER GRAY.

Know"
 Tt isn't near-its several blocks and you shan't go alone. Henry will cer- tainly go with yOu."
 Henry certainly will not. You two are so tired doing New York now you walk as if you were on pegs, and Henry's eyes look like holes burned in paper for want of sleep. We girls get accustomed to going around alone, and you needn't think I'm martyr"
 Well, little sister, all right" acqui- esced Sally. You are too independent for comfort, though, sometimes. This musical career in the first place is all"
 Janet laid her hand over her sisters mouth. Hush! Here we are at the station. Now goodnight"
 She had been just long enough in the metropolis to get over the wonder of 1t, then over the disgust of it, for there is always reaction, and to take the philosophical view that is best. Her music and little else really interested her. She had her wagon hitched to the star of a musical career and she was willing to work and sacrifice ev erything for it's sake.
 Hartley Howard had insisted that his love for her counted for more than music and it had been a long, hard fight to convince herself that he was wrong. She had asked her sister about him that night so indifferently that even Sally's sharp eyes were deceived.
 He's doing pretty well, Janet" she had answered. "They say he's going with Mary Porter, but don't know for sure. Think how funny 1t will be some day, sister, when you're away up in grand opera and just home from the courts of Europe to have Hartley pre- sent you to Mary, fat and forty, and with a family of six to cook and sew for!" She had meant it kindly, for she thought Janet was looking bit white and peaked, but her words had | brought no answering smile
 "It seems good piece ahead" sighed Janet.
 She thought it all over now in the car and she was very close to the line which separates will from weakness. Was she getting homesick? Then she thought of the European courts and of alarming stockings and cooking. The brave color came back to her cheeks and she sat very erect. She had chos- en career and she was going to make good
 The train stopped at her station and she got off. Others got off other cars and went up the steps of the subway exit to scatter at the top in different directions. A fine sleet had started to fall and the wind which was blowing gale sent the fine, icy particles into her eyes. She turned up her fur collar frightened her veil, and, burrOwing her face into her huff, started up the street.
 At the same time man started af. ter her. At first Janet paid little at tention to him, but as she left the lights behind and plunged into the darkness ahead she felt uneasy. She walked l faster but the man soon overlook her walking beside her and suiting his step to hers. Janet kept straight ahead never so much as glancing aside. But she knew that he, too had his head down against the wind and the collar of his great overcoat was almost touch ing his hat.
 If you're afraid I shall be glad to take you home," he said finally, his voice coming in fitful jerks as the wind caught it.
 No, thank you! I'm not afraid" said Janet as firmly as she could with her teeth chattering.
 But I'm going to the ferry and I'll l just walk with you, if you don't mind
 No answer, but he was not diseour aged. He kept right beside her.
 I'm not accustomed to being out so late!" She decided it was best tC let him know that she was a proper law-abiding person. T was with some friends from the West and wouldn't let them bring me home" She thought he would go then, but he didn't.
 "Tm from the West, too," he said "But it's big place.
 "This isn't very far Vest" she amended. Its only in western Penn sylvania !"
 'Why, that's where I'm from p
 "Is that so?" Janet was interested "What is the placer
 Not far from Pittsburg. A town called Lockton."
 "Why, that-whom do you know in Lockton?"
 "Oh, everybody. Do you know any one there?"
 "Yes"
 Do you know the MooresT he | asked eagerly. Do you know Janet | Moore?"
 Janet caught his sleeve and turned him sharply. "Hartr' she cried. Don't l you know me?"
 Janet! '!
 And suddenly European courts and alarming were forgotten. He hadn't asked her if she knew Mary Porter. He still loved her and she had no will tc l resist.
 "Tm going home, Hart!" she said in the shelter of the entrance where they could talk.
 "Why, Janet|
 "Oh, to marry you, guess. Don't you want me?'
 But the last words were lost in the depths of the big overcoat. | Copyright, 1917, by the Mcclure Newspa- per Syndicate.) Had Been Promoted.
 Edward had Just started in kinder.