The spectator., 1919-11-14
HER ROBIN ADAIR
By MILDRED WHITE.

What are we going to do with herr" Aunt Martha walled. "She is like magnet to every young man in of steel"
 "Youngl" sighed Aunt Mary. "If it were only the young men But it's every man, Martha even the old wid- over Benson, who ought to know bet ter. Can't he see that the child is un- conscious of his ridiculous affection"
 But, dear me. is she unconscious of it?" grumbled Aunt Martha. Or just taking q mocking delight in her power? Certainly she did not inherit her propensities from our side of the family"
 "l wouldn't call Janet flirtatious," Mary demurred tits just way about the girl that draws admiration with out her seeking. Why, you and me. Martha. are as bad as the rest. What wouldn't we endure for that girl?'
 "What don't we" her sister sue cinctly replied.
 A man smiling came through an open French window to the veranda.
 "I could not help hearing your con- versaton," he said.
 The aunts pushed forward a chair.
 Do tell us. Carlton" said Martha, "what you would advise to bring Janet to more settled frame of mind. You, an old friend of the family, are con sidered as a relative"
 II remember" smiled Aunt Mary. "when you were credited with the same failing as Janet. Or would you prefer to have me say with the same triumphs? Unfortunately, some of these love affairs of yours ended in sad disappointment for the young women concerned. Now that you are back on a visit unmarried, hope may spring anew etc. But how do you suggest that we may bring to Janet realization of the sorrow her thoughtleSs conquests may cause"
 "I will talk to her" Carlton Craine promised confidently. and he did.
 David Brayton lapsed into sad si- lence at one end of the veranda, while handsome Jim Vail persisted futilely with offered remarks from the other end It was Carlton who snt on the center seat with Janet. and Carlton, the experienced. to whom she listened with the laughter glint in her eyes. Then one day, abruptly. little Janet came to her patient aunts.
 "I am going away to visit Cousin Iucie in New York" she announced. 'You see. Jim. David and Carlton, have all asked me to marry them, and maybe going away for q while Will make il easier-" She was not ai- | lowed to finish her sentence.
 "Carlton has asked you." the a'mts cried together.
 Janet nodded.
 "The traitor," Aunt Martha ex- | claimed.
 "'rhe sneak" cried Aunt Mary.
 The three deserted men interested became instinctively aware of the l situation. Jim Vail and David Bray ton, friends from boyhood, frankly discussed the case in secret.
 "Id rather II would be you than that conceited Craine fool" Jim said.
 David smiled wry smile.
 No chance" he replied. "Carlton Craine is always sure of himself with women."
 Apprehensively the aunts awaited word from Janet.
 Beyond announcement of her safe arrival there was none forthcoming. l Then one evening, back to the veranda of departed charm. came Carlton, the assured. His very step sounded tri- umph and casually he tried to cover the satisfaction in his voice.
 "I received a card from Janet to- day" he informed the aunts. Just a line. hut you may draw your own deduction"
 To their eager gaze he presented the picture of Il skyscraper section of New York city. beneath 1t. in Janets writing the words:
 What's this dull town to mel Robins not here"
 "A quotation. of course" Carlton laughingly explained, from which Janet wished me to draw a flattering inference"
 Two other young men came up the garden path together. The handsome features of Jim Vail seemed aglOw with some inner emotion.
 'I had a message from Janet to- day" he said, and generously pro ceeded to share his missive with the anxious aunts.
 Its just line on card, you see but" he laughed exultantly--"liks Janet, to quote that particular line to me"
 Silence long and embarrassing en sued. For the two cards lying face uppermost on the veranda railing faced the troubled aunts with ths same appealing question.
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