The Lamar register., 1917-06-13
ITHE MAN IN The STORM
BY OLIVER GRAY.

to the hotel with US and stay all night
We've stayed out so late at shows and
things we can't let you go so far alone
now"
mo, Sally, thanks just the same. I'll
take the subway and be home in no
time. 1 live so near to the car, you
know"
at isn't near-it's several blocks and
you shan't go alone. Henry will GER
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 "A 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. 'Hushi Here we are at the
station. Now goodnight"
She had been just long enough in the
metropolis to get over the wonder Of
it, 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 its sake.
Hartley Howard had insisted that
his love for her counted for more than
music, and it had been long. hard
fight to convince herself that he was
wrong. She had asked her sister about
him that night so indlfferently that
even Sally's sharp eyes were deceived.
Hes 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 family OF six to cook and sew
for :" She had meant 1t kindly, for
she thought Janet was looking a bit
white and peaked, but her words had
brought no answering smile.
1T seems a good piece ahead" sighed
Janet.
She thought IL 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
darnlng stockings and cooking. The
brave color came back to her cheeks
oh H..
en- a career and she was going to make
good.
The train stopped at her station and
she got of. Others got of 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 a
gale sent the fine, icy particles into her
eyes. She turned up her fur collar,
tightened her veil, and, burrowing her
face into her nun, started up the
street.
At the same time a man started af-
ter her. At first Janet paid little at
tentlOn 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
of his great overcoat was almost touch
ing his hat.
"If you're afraid ] 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
just walk with you, If you don't mind"
No answer, but he was not discour-
aged. He kept right beside her.
I'm not accustomed to being out
so later She decided 1t was best to
let him know that she was a proper,
law-abiding person. 81 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.
I'm from the West, too" he said.
This isn't very far West" she
amended. ITS only in western Penn
sylvaniaT
"Why, that's where I'm fromW
'Is that soT" Janet was interested.