The spectator., 1919-07-04
HER MISTAKE
By MILDRED WHITE

Janey sat long while with the let ter in her hand. In fancy she was going over that long blissful time since she had met Robert and the tenor of her life had been forever changed. Before that. it was an un- eventful routine
 But after Roberts advent, unrest had stirred within her. and dissatis- faction with life's simple homel.ness. 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 l place over. Sc pleased and interested was he, that he fingered for weeks, seeking and finding Hospitality in Janey's home
 It had never been her opportunity to hear Ut first hand of remote wonder 1 ful parts of the world, for this en- gazing man from the city had travelled 1 and learned much. It was Il never ceasing delight to ride over the farm land., in his swift running car, or to | uIlNe dl HIS sue Ill IGHI carriage through the narrower paths.
 Janeys guardian aunt was quite willing that this should be so, she had no wish to keep Janey forever at her 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.
 T want to go to the city" she con fided to her new friend. Il want to 1 learn to be--like 5hem.'
 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-eohtinued kind with his attentions. In his care Janey visited restaurants. opera, thea ters; with him she had driven through the beautiful parks.
 oh, how I love II all," she said.
 Home seemed very dull afterward. 1 Roberts visits to his farm were the only bright spots, and as fall drew near and these visits threatened to cease, Janey grew wan in apprehen- 1 sion.
 With the harvest moon looking down upon them. glorifying their radiant faees-Rohert had asked Janey to marry him and she had consented.
 Robert wanted her he longed for her and despotie business held him tied in the city. Would she come fer a visit to his married sisters home? Would she comef
 ln n fever of joyful anticipation 1 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 l had cost her aunt forbiddingly eX- uavagant price.
 In the brilliant gathering which his sister generously arranged for Janey 1 her fear grew, at his gloomy abstrac- | ton. This taciturn man was 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 ,l. there.
 You like all this, don't you:n Rob ert asked.
 "So much." she agreed, ever eager to please.
 Futilely she asked herself each night in what she had tailed for her tiiance seemed To grow more distantly ah- sorbed. Suddenly Janey longed with homesick yearninS for the reStiul 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 10 learn the part she would he expected 10 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 at her side.
 Frankly but with d tremulous catch in her voice, Janey told him one day her problem;
 ''I don't seem to fit in Robert she said, mo matter how hard l try. I'm disappointment to you. feel II. Take me back to the quiet place that I best know and leave me there."
 Unbelieving, her lover stared into . her face.
 But you used 10 tell me- he said that you longed for the life of a city! That is why, after l had bought the farm. intending to make it my head quarters. that 1 returned again to the business world, for your sake, Janey,