The Winslow mail., 1918-03-29
JANEY PROPOSES
100000
BY AGNES G. EROGAnd.
opyright, 1918, Western Newapap(

things, never as participant. Years
ago-for youth seemed q 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 BUSH
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
ffdences, 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 a 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-
fident poise in the girls bearing which
had not been there before. David was
impatiently disappearing of each suitor
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 Dayids study fire,
''They both want to marry me-" she
remarked one evening.
Janey married The thought
caught in a painful manner at David's
heartstrings.
"Wait," he advised hastily, "do not
be in a hurry, child marriage is for
lifetime"
"But if I wait like you, David" she
had ingenuously complained, Il may
never choose at ALL"
So this night behind the palms he
had watched her fitting about, O.
sought after vision in white, but there
was, he fancied, cloud upon the girls
piquant face.
Jack Irving moped in an opposite
corner against the wall; Billy Hayes
was conspicuously attentive to every
one but his adored Janey-what was
the matter?
David" asked small, meek voice,
"may I hide with you here for
while?" Janey herself parted the cur
tains Of his seclusion.
''You see, David, I'm in rather an
embarrassing predicament. Those sill
ly boys, both of them, think that I'm
engaged."s>
David wheeled about sharply. EN-.
gagged to whom?"
Janey studied her outspread fingers.
''To them," she said. David stared.
slack did ask me last night" she c0D-
fessed, "and Billy said something Of
the sort while we were driving t&A3
morning, but"
But" mocked David. "Well, @A
you engaged to either?"
Janey sighed. don't know" eAo
answered.
'Dont know" David was exaspeF-
ated; also his heart was hammerimg
heavily.
cit was this way" the girl explained.
''Last night Jack got to talking about
his promising future, and-and hC2v
he would like me to share it, David,
and we could go south on those businegs
trips Of his in the winter, and have n
bungalow out near our golf links lR
summer, and he wanted to know when
[ would decide, and 1 said something
about leaving it until tonight"
'Under those circumstances" pavid
answered slowly, "it would appear that
young Irving has right to conaidGF
you engaged"
''Wait," begged Janey. "ThiS m0Fn-
ing, you remember [ went for @ ride
with Billy, and Billy talked good deal
as Jack had, only-he wanted me to
marry him when he gets his degree,
and if l would was to give him the
first dance this evening. He knew that
Jack had spoken for escort. And,
David, honestly, when Billy came fDr-
ward l forgot all about his old degree
and / gave him-the first dance. Ever
since then the two boys have been
scowling at each other and--and bully
me. So'- Janey threw out her hands
disparingly-"there you arew
David was also scowling. "Y0u
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 you desire, Janey?" David sighed
''They have all the stakes youth-that
greatest stake Of all, and their future
before them"
Sometimes" said Janey, her voice
was strangely unsteady, "its just Gg
well to have a little of the future be
hind one, David. Sometimes it makes
man kinder, more understanding.