Gilpin observer., 1919-08-07
HER MISTAKE
BY MILDRED WHITE


going over that long blissful time
since she had met Robert and the
tenor of her life had been forever
changed. Before that, 1t was an un.
eventful routine.
But after Roberts advent, unrest
had stirred within her, and dissatis-
faction with life's simple LONELINESS.
Robert Tabor, city business man, had
bought as an investment, the great
farm near Janey's home, and when
the caretaker had been duly installed,
Robert Tabor came out to look the
place over. So pleased and Interested
was he, that he fingered for weeks,
seeking and finding hospitality in
Janey's home
1t had never been her opportunity to
hear at first hand of remote wonder
full parts of the world, for this en-
| gaging man from the city had Travelled
and learned much. 1t was Il never
ceasing delight to ride over the farm
lands in his swift running car, or to
drive at his side in light carriage
| through the narrower paths.
Janey's guardian aunt was quite
willing that this should be so, she
had no wish to keep Janey forever at
heI side. All at once Janey had been
ashamed of the simple cut of her
homemade frocks, her lack of knowl-
edge of the ways of the great outside
world.
81 want to so to the city," she con-
fided to her new friend. II want to
| learn to be-like them.'
Clothes you mean?" Robert Tabor
had asked, amused.
Clothes, manners, everything"
Janey declared.
The aunt much persuaded, arranged
with an old friend in the city to have
Janey visit her there. and Robert-as
both now called him-continued kind
with his attentions. In his care
Janey visited restaurants, opera, thea
ters; with him she had driven through
the beautiful parks.
"Oh how l love it all !" she said.
Home seemed very dull afterward
Roberts visits to his farm were the
only bright spots, and rs fall drew
near and these visits threatened to
cease, Janey grew wan in apprehen-
sion.
With the harvest moon looking down
upon them, glorifying their radiant
faces-Robert had asked Janey to
marry him and she had consented.
Robert wanted her, he longed for
her and despotic business held him
tied in the city. Would she come for
a visit to his married sisters home?
Would she come?
In a fever of joyful anticipation
Janey rushed to her aunt's room to
begin preparation. Robert was pale
and worried looking when he met her
at the station. Absently he glanced
over the modish suit and hat which
had cost her aunt Il forbddingly eX-
travagant price.
In the brilliant gathering which his
sister generously arranged for Janey
her fear grew, at his gloomy abstrac-
| tion. This taciturn man was Il differ
ent person certainly from the joyously
| enthusiastic master of the farm. And
Roberts sister had assured Janey
that she need have no anxiety on
the score of adjustability.
"You seem to have grown up among
us dear" she said.
AT the hotel dinner, smiling into
her lovers eyes across the roses heap
ed between them, Janey saw n shadow
there.
"You like all this, don't your Rob-
ert asked.
$50 much," she agreed, ever eager
/ to please.
| Futilely she asked herself each night
| in what she had failed for her fiiancc
seemed to grow more distantly alb
sorbed. Suddenly Janey longed with
homesick yearning for the restful at
mosphere of the country she knew, for
the long walks through the silent
places where she could think serious
| ly or find herself again. For Janey
realized that her life of late had been
but profitless effort to learn the part
she would Ire expected to play In the
future, and in sickness of heart she
wondered If she would be able to car
ry that weary part through with Rob
ert always unappreciative ut her side.
Frankly but with Il tremulous catch
in her voice, Janey told him one day
her problem:
~ don't seem to fit in Robert" she
said, mo matter how hard try. I'm
disappointment to you, l feel 1t.
Take me back to the quiet place that
best know, and leave me there"
Unbeievlng, her lover stared into
her face.
But you used to tell me-" he said
that you longed for the life of city
That Is why, after i had bought the
farm. intending to make II my head
quarters. that l returned again to the
business world, for your sake. Jnney.
because you said you loved gayety.
My youthful years have been crowded