The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1918-04-11
N[S6SE0kAE0
JANEY PROPOSES
ep~~e~~@
By AGNES q. sRoGAN.


David Blair sat behind the screen Of
palms, a frowning spectator upon
scene of gayety. Always his place
seemed to be Just at the outer edge OF
things, never as participant. Years
ago-for youth seemed a confused
memory to David, he had not danced
or flirted, or even engaged in harmless
revelry with his college companions.
Seriously, he had wondered at their
simple enjoyment as he applied him.
self to study. The admiring glances
of girls he had been too absorbed TO
see, alike their perplexity and disap-
pointment at his indifference, had
proved unnoticed.
Now, David, successful man Of busi-
ness, authority upon matters Of mo-
ment, realized suddenly and gloomily,
that pleasure had repaid him with the
forgetfulness he had given. Not that
1t mattered-much. Janey still came
to him with her merry or fearful con-
fidences. Janey, with an utter disre-
gard for decorum, stopped at his bach
elor home on dismal, dreary evenings
TO make his tea for him, to sit there
in q bright red frock with her little
red slippers before the fire, talking
as only Janey could talk.
After her return from that last year
at college there had been a self-con'
fdent poise in the girls bearing which
had not been there before. David was
impatiently disappearing Of each sutton
who appeared upon the scene. NO
man seemed quite good enough for
Janey, and these conceited young idi-
ots-David fumed at their assurance.
The choice had now sifted down to
two. Frankly Janey discussed her
cavaliers before David's study IRE.
They both want to marry me-" she
remarked one evening.
Janey - married! The thought
caught in q painful manner at Davids
heartstrings.
"wait," he advised hastily, do not
be in a hurry, child; marriage Is for
lifetime"
But IL wait like you, David" she
had ENORMOUSLY complained. Il may
never choose at all"
SO this night behind the palms he
had watched her fitting about, q
sought after vision In white. but there
was, he fancied, a cloud upon the girls
piQuant face.
Jack Irving moped in an opposite
| fha
was conspicuously attentive to every
one but his adored Janey-what was
the matterf
David" asked q small, meek voice
"may I hide with you here for
whileg' Janey herself parted the cur
tains Of his seclusion.
"You see, David, I'm In rather ar
embarrassing predicament. Those sill
" boys, both Of them, think that Tn
engaged"
David wheeled about sharply. "En
gagged to whomT
Janey studied her outspread fingers
ITO them" she said. David stared
"Jack did ask me last night" she con
fessed, "and Billy said something o.
the sort while we were driving thil
morning. but"
But" Knocked David. "Well, ar
you engaged to eitherT'
fancy sighed. don't know" sh
answered.
Don't known David was exasper
ated; also his heart was hammerini
heavily.
ut was this way" the girl explained
LAST night Jack got to talking abou
his promising future, and-and how
he would like me to share it, David
and We could go south on those bushes
trips of his In the winter, and have
bungalow out near our golf links Il
summer, and he wanted to know whe
/ would decide, and / said somethin
about leaving it until tonight"
Under those circumstances" Davi
answered slowly, at would appear tina
young Irving has right to conside
you engaged"
"Wait," begged Janey. "This morn
ing, you remember, I went for a rid
with Billy, and Billy talked good dea
as Jack had, only-he wanted me t
marry him when he gets his degre,
and If l would was to give him tn
first dance this evening. He knew tha
Jack had spoken for escort. Ant
David, honestly, when Billy came fol
ward I forgot all about his old degre
and / gave him-the first dance. Eve
since then the two boys have bee
scowling at each other and-and bull!
me. So'- Janey threw out her hand
Observation-Disclosures you arew
. David was also scowling. "Yo
should not play with them that way
he said severely. Both are nice boy
and 1t is not fair. Make your choic
and find your happiness. What MOI
can you desire, JaneyT David sighe'
"They have all the stakes, youth-ths
greatest stake Of all, and their futur
before them"
Sometimes" said Janey, her voie
was strangely unsteady, 'it's just q
well to have a little Of the future b
hind one. David. Sometimes 1t make
man kinder, more understanding
And always, we women cannot choos
our own happiness. we've have
wait until"
Until" interposed David. he ha
|. | oviC 20