Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1919-05-08
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! JANEY PROPOSES /
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BY AGNES q. 6RooAN.
copyrisht. 1918. Western Nswspsper

palms, browning spectator upon n
scene of gayety. Always his place
seemed to be just at the outer edge "f
things, never as participant. Years
ago-for youth seemed confused
memory to David. he had not danced
or firted. or even engaged In harmless
revelry with his college companions.
Seriously, he had wondered at their
simple enjoyment as he applied him
self 10 study. The admiring glances
Of girls he had been 700 absorbed TO
see. alike their perplexity and disap-
pointment at his indifference, had
proved unnoticed.
Now, David. successful man Of bust
ness. authority upon matters of mo-
ment, realized suddenly and gloomily.
that pleasure had repaid him with the
forgetfulness he had given. Not that
II mattered-much. Janey still came
TO him with her merry or fearful con-
fdences. Janey, with an utter disre-
gard for decorum, stopped at his bach
elor home on dismal, dreary evenings
TO make his tea for him, 10 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 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 Davids study fire.
They both want to marry me-" she
remarked one evening.
Janey married The thought
caught in painful manner at David's
heartstrings.
wait" he advised hastily, do not
be In hurry, child; marriage is for
lifetime"
But If wait like you. David" she
had ingenuously complained, II may
never choose at all"
So this night behind the palms he
sought after vision In white, but there
was, he fancied, q 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 a small, meek voice,
"may l hide with you here for "A
while?" Janey herself parted the cur
tains of his secluslon.
"You see, David, I'm in rather an
embarrassing predicament. Those sill
~ boys, both of them, think that I'm
engaged"
David wheeled about sharply. "En-
gagged to whom?"
Janey studied her outspread fingers.
"To them" she said. David stared.
"Jack did ask me last night" she con-
fessed, "and Billy said something OF
the sort while we were driving this
morning, but"
But" Knocked David. well, are
you engaged TO eitherf'
Janey sighed. don't know" she
answered.
Don't know :" David was exasper-
ated; also his heart was hammering
heavily.
1T was this way" the girl explained.
Last night Jack got TO talking about
his promising future, and-and how
10. uHa =
ana we could 60 south on those business
trips of his in the winter, and have a
bungalow out near our golf links in
summer, and he wanted to know when
l would decide, and / said something
about leaving it until tonight"
Under those circumstances" David
answered slowly, lit would appear that
young Irving has a right TO consider
you engaged
Wait" begged Janey. This morn
ing. you remember, | went for n 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 | would was 10 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-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
Observation-Disclosures you arel"
David was also scowling. you
should not play with them that way"
he said severely. Both are nice boys,
and II is not fair. Make your choice
and find your happiness. What more
can you desire, JaneyT 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, tits just as
well To have little of the future be-
hind one, David. Sometimes ii makes
n man kinder, more understanding.
And always, we women cannot choose
our own happiness, We've have to
wait until"
Until" interposed David, he had
arisen TO his feet.
With a little tremulOus smile the
girl put out her hands TO him. Until"
she finished "some dear old stupid
realizes that youth is not the greatest
thing In the world, and that hair turn
ing white about the temples is the
lovliest kind OF hair"