The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-11-23

hlOuAaN T
time a stranger in a strange ihh"
Is likely TO be homesick.
And this beautiful Hawaii, with
ali its Elories. still had no adequate
substitute to offer for the cold WIN
trS skies and bleak harvested land.
b scape, for the cranberry sauce
aroma or roasting turkey with
which the national holiday is asso'
Ikciated.
herself wishing that Jim Denin9,
tho Foodlooking young principal OF
the school where she taught, were
NOT engaged to the daughter OF the
islands Wealthiest sugar planter.
II he hadn't been-oh. It only he
! hadn't been! Then the iriendliress
Id had shown hGr si3Cc her Arrival
could have meant so much more TO
her-the torerunner, perhaps. pt
something so much more Satisfying
even than friendship!
Janet rose and. with an almost
unconscious gesture, stretched out
her arms toward the purple sea.
What does life hold for one?' she
mufnured wistfully.
"a trip to Hilo and the crater"
Janet thought for an instant tina;
some one had spoken, then realized
that II was merely heF " thought.
That little imp within which repre-
scented a great longing al yot unful'
filled had taken this moment Tner'
6onesomeness urged within her and
Stime hung heavy on her hands to
prompt her Why not use the emer'
geucy fund and take the trip to
Hilo? Not that it would take the
whole OF It, at that, only. once the
msaser hoard we're broken into, It
would not again easily Withstand
temptation.
For Janet had decided 10 lay by
each week out Of her small salary a
little contribution toward an
amout to take her home should the
occasion ever arise. To draw on
what little she had already accumn.
lated would be to put the goal still
fiarther away.
~ Yet the psychological combtna'
tloh Of tho moment proved Janet's
undbthg. I'm going to Hilo! I'm
going to HiIo!" She sang the words.
1 pfrouetted madiy on II foot, and
Jturn6d indoors TO get ready.
II that same little wicked demon
within her whispered that sha knew
she was going to FFilo because Jim
DefhIns had told her she ought to
she pretended not to hear. What IN
Aaence ought he, engaged as he wa
to the naughty Gloria TremauH, t.
have on her life? Janet felt sorr|
sfor Jim. In TACT, she had felt sorry
. ever since the day when Gloria had
called for him at the school, had
found him telling her nboW the won
ders OF IIilauea. and had perenptor'
ily summoned him to her side with
tho most frisId OF glnnces at Janet
Jim engaged to that iceberg!
Two days later, seated luxurious
Ii in the party automobile which
runs TO the crater Of K!iauea foI
the benefit OF tourists, Janet won
dAred why she vas not happier
ERE she was, temporarily seated In
the lap OF luxury, hired though il
was, greatest sights, tho bnhbiing
restless lake of molten lava which
Is the crater of Kilauea. 1t must
be because she was, in spite OF thu
score or SO OF ~eTfervesceut. gush
ins tourists IN reality alone. She
had none with whom TO share The
wonder.
Then, as she stood on the very
brink Of the vast lava sea, she saw
him-the man who had been 81 per
APistently In her thoughts. He was
None, and had Withdrawn apparent
~ from a second group Of tourists
Whose automobile had, no doubt
preceded hers. He stood with arms
folded, gazing down to the colortu
depths below.
4. Where was Gloria? Janet's puz
Fled eyes searched the crowd II
& vain Then, resolutely, she crosse.
TITS my first visit. Mr., Demlng.
she said abruptly, land I'm ever
more impressed than had expect
ed"
At the sound OF her voice h,
earned, and Janet found time Il
wonder at the lack OF surprise In hi!
expression. Janet! But what
why"
"Yes," laughed Janet. That!
what / want to know! What are you
doing here and why are you no
spending the holidays with"with-
"My.erformer ~fIancee?" Jim CAV
q strange little laugh. Miss Ire
ma aud ! are no longer engaged
ia fact, the affair was broken of
StecaNse OF --yOu!"
Isnet drew back. IL don't un
dcvs,aud," she murmursd.
Wy. had n-er-little disagree
men. She accused me Of being in
terestad IN you, too much so. Wait
NHon't look that way, Janet. I'm tell
ing you this because-oh, Janet, my
darling, IFS true!"
The gathering darkness was
coaKink the two OF them as Jim
dew nearer.
Janet's heart had leapt within
Her but she held herself sternly In
seck.
T-I-oh, can't you see that ever
lifsI cared, we couldn't accept THU
81 the expense or another's huppi
3dAbS?"
Jim smiled grimIy. Don't wor
~. / have suspected for ONE time
that Gloria was tired OF me. Yol
merely served as an excuse. AND
she saved me from doing what
). should have had to have done in jus
ttnA to her-nnd you!"
Come time later. Jim expIaine.