The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-11-13
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
The Rejuven.ated Jane.
BY Lillian Hall Crowley.
Copyright, 1919, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)

ZANE MATHEWS was sitting on the
veranda, chatting and laughing,
with one of the young men OF her
set when her mother Joined them.
Jane, darling, the evening is chilly;
let mo wrap you in this" She had a
heavy crocheted wool shawl Of a dull,
dismal aspect which Immediately abb
sorbed all of James bright color and
spirits. The young man frowned.
you're not in comfortable chair,
dear, and you know you're dead-tired.
Her mother, all solicitation, was nov
ering over her.
The young man, who had risen TO
his feet when James mother came cut
and had remained standing during
this scene, at once offered Jane the
chair he had occupied.
"Oh, yes" said Mrs. Mathews, ut Is
more comfortable. Do sit here, jane
She pulled the protesting girl to the
other chair.
Mother, I'm very WE'LL like the
chair have and this shawl is too
warm"
mo. it isn't" answered Mrs. Math-
ewS with decision. Jane is so dell
cate" turning to tie young man.
81 feel like a brute said he, "and
I'm sorry that / overlooked James
comfort.
"No! MOI" said Jane.
Her mother silenced her with a low
ing Jock and wo'.t Gu to enumerate
her daughters weaknesses, mention
Ing the vegetables and fruits and other
things that did not agree with her.
James wretchedness was increased
by the look O. boredom on the face OF
the young man.
Pardon me, Mrs. Mathews" he in
terrupted, but | must be going. Good
by, Jane-see you tomorrow night a,
the dance"
III she's feeling strong enough" an
sYered James mother for her.
Another night finds Jane seated on
the yeranda and in the same chair
from which her solicitous mother had
ousted her before. Another young mai
came along and seeing Jane decided
10 drop in. Jane expecting hin, smiled
happily,
Mrs. Mathews nodded from tie win
dow and the young man raised his
hat and bowiEg to them Doth-passed
by.
Jane looked puzzled and disappointed
The ycuEg people feeling annoyed
by Mrs. Mathews care OF Jane, decided
to have Jane with them without go
ins to her house. They teiephoned her
to GENE to the home Of Penelope
Jones, enc summer evening, for an in
formal dacoe. One OF the boys would
so hCmG with her
Jane went ara was having the time
OF her young life Eyes sparkling,
cheeks glowing, nimb!e feet flying,
when her fathe: a::'ived at ten o'clock
with a heavy. duSt-colored cloak, to
take her home. They begged that
dane might stay an hour longer.
NO, Jane isn't strong, you know,
and her mother worries about her. SHE
wont sleep wink uE:il Jane is ill
bed"
10 one felt very gay after this and
TIE party broke up.
Several years OF this kind of thing
passed by until nobody wanted to in
GUIDE Jane in the social affairs. l.
was to- much bother and they always
lid to reckon with Mrs. Mathews IN
some way by apo!ogiz;ng for heat o.
cold or the weather or the salad They
werc bored 10 dcath-and out of pa
thence with their old friend, TOO.
Jane had lost her bright color and
her charming smile. She had become
listless and lacked initiative and tne
men were not interested in her any
more. A very few childhood friends
remained faithful.
Seine OF the girls were married and
some were engaged; some had lovers,
but an had attention except Jane. One
young man remarked;
IF took a box of candy to Jane her
mother would think ! meant her to
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