The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1918-04-03
JANEY PROPOSES
BY AGNES G. BROGAN.
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(CODyriEht. 1918. WeRtern NewaDaper JIpiop


David Blair sat behind the screen Of
palms, 4 frowning spectator upon
scene of gaycty. Always his place
seemed to be just at the outer edge Of
things, never us q participant. Years
ugo-fOr youth seemed confused
memory to David, he had not danced
or flirtcd, or even engaged in harmless
rcvclry with his college companions.
Seriously, he had Wondered at their
simple enjoyment as he applied him
self to study. The admiring glanccs
of girls he had been too absorbed to
see, alike their pcrplcXity and disap-
puintmcnt at his Indifference, had
proved unnOticcd.
Now, David, successful man of huSi-
ness, authority upon matters of mo-
mcnt, realized suddenly and gloomily,
that pleasure had repaid him with the
forgctfulnesS he had given. Not that
it attercd-much. Jancy still came
to him with her merry or fearful con-
tidcnccS, Jancy, with an utter disrc-
gard for dccorum, stopped at his bach
clor home on dismal, drcary evenings
to make his tea for him. to sit there
in bright red frock with her little
rcd slippers before the fire, talking
as only Jancy could talk.
After her return from that last year
at college there had been Il Sclf-con-
tidcnt poiSc in the girls bearing which
had not been there before. David was
impaticntly disappearing of each suitor
who appeared upon the scene. No
man seemed quite good enough for
Jancy, and these conccited young id-
otS-David fumed at their assurance.
The choice had now sifted down to
two. Frankly Jancy discussed her
cavaliers before Davids study fire.
'"They both want to marry me-" she
remarked one evening.
Jnncy married The thought
caught in painful manner ut David's
heartstrings.
Wait" he advised hastily, "do not
be in a hurry, child; marriage is for Il
lifctime.'
but if I wait like you, David" she
had ingcnuously complained II may
never choose at all.'
SO this night behind the palms he
had watched her Hitting about,
was, he fancicd, II cloud upon the girls
piquant face.
Jack Irving mOpcd in an opposite
corner against the wall; Billy Hayes
WAS conSpicuouSly attentive to every
one but his adored Jancy-what was
the matter?
"David,' asked small, meek voice,
may l hide With you here for
while" Jancy herself parted the cur
tniDS Of his SccluSiUn.
'You see; David, Fin in rather an
embarrassing prcdicament. Those sill
ly boys, both of them, think that I'm
engaged"
David wheeled about sharply. EN-
gagged TO WhOm!"
Jancy studied her outsprcad fingers.
"Io Them" she said. David stared.
"Jnck did ask me last night" she con-
f"sscd, and Billy said something of
the sort while we were driving this
morning, but-'
But" Knocked David. "Wcll, are
YOU engaged 10 citherT"
Iancy sighed. don't know" she
answered.
Don't know!' David was cXaspcr-
atcd also his heart was hammering
heavily.
"It was this way" the girl explained.
Last night Jack got to talking about
his promising future, and.--und how
he would like me to share it, David,
ana we could 20 south on those business
trips Of his in the winter, and have II
bungalow out near our golf links in
summer, and he wanted to know when
l would decide ana | said something
about leaving ii until tonight"
'Undcr those circumstances" David
answered slowly, "it would appear that
young Irving has a right to consider
YOU engaged"
Wait" begged Janey. "This morn
ing, you remember, / went for Il ride
With Billy, and Billy talked Il good deal
rs Jack had, only-hc wanted me to
marry him when he gets his degree,
and if would was to give him the
first dance this evening He knew that
Jack had spoken for escort. And,
David, honestly, when Billy came for
ward forgot all about his old degree
and gave him--thc first dance. Ever
since then the two boys have been
scowing at each other and-and bully
me. So Jancy threw out her hands
diSparingly there you are! !"
David was also scOwling. you
should not play with them that way"
he said severely "Both are nice boys,
and it is not fair Make your choice
and find your happiness. What more
can Won desire JanrNr" David Siuhp1