The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1917-06-14
THE MAN IN The STORM
BY OLIVER GRAY.

ri Janet, dear. won't you please com
a to the hotel with us and stay all night
4 We've stayed out 80 late at shows an,
o things we can't let you so so far alon
now"
mo, Sally. thanks just the same. II
take the subway and be home In n,
time. live 80 near to the car, 20,
5 know"
1T isn't near-it's several blocks ant
: you shan't go alone. Henry will Ger
I tainly go with you"
Henry certainly will not. You two
are 80 tired doing New York now yor
walk as If you were on pegs, and
Henry's eyes look like holes burned in
paper for want Of sleep. We girls gel
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. Flush 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
! bis love for her counted for more than
music, and 1t had been q 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 som4
day, sister, when you're away up ~
grand opera and just home from tn
courts of Europe to have Hartley pre-
sent you to Mary, fat and forty, and
with family Of six to cook and sew
for!" She had meant it kindly, fol
she thought Janet was looking bi
white and peaked, but her words had
brought no answering smile.
at 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 |
darning 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
gale sent the fine, icy particles into her
eyes. She turned up her fur collar,
frightened her veil, and, burrowing her
face into her muff, started up the
street.
At the same time a man started af-
ter her. At first Janet paid little at
sention to him, but as she left the lights
behind and plunged into the darkness
ahead she felt uneasy. She walked
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
IT his great overcoat was almost touch
ng his hat.
IF you're afraid I shall be glad to +
AXE you home" he said finally, his
Toice coming in fitful jerks as the wind :
.aught it.
mo, thank you! I'm not afraid"
aid Janet as firmly as she gould with Z
Ter teeth chattering
"But Pm going to the ferry and I'll
ust walk with you, if you don't mind"
No answer, but he was not discOur-
ged. He kept right beside her.
'Im not accustomed to being out +
o late!" She decided it was best to
ct him know that she was proper,
aw-abiding person. 81 was with some
riends from the West and wouldn't F
It them bring me home" She thought
e would go then, but he didn't.
'1I'm from the West, too" he said.
"This isn't very far West" she
tits only in western Penn
y1vania ~ A
"Why, that's where I'm 'front.'
SIS that so?" Janet was interested.
What is the placer" :
mot far from Pittsburg. A town +
tlled Lockton."
"Why, that-whom dc you know in :
ockton?"
"Oh, everybody. Do you know any =
lie there?" r
Yes
sDo you know the Moores7' he
ked eagerly. 'Do you know Janet
oore?" =
Janet caught his sleeve and turned F,
m sharply. Hart p she cried. Don't
III know me?"
"Janet %
And suddenly European courts and :
rning were forgotten. He hadn't n
keel her if she knew Mary Porter He