The Lamar register., 1921-11-16
REWARD OF MERIT
BY JULIA A. PORTER.


Darn itT thought Jane
The mirror was between two win
dows and reached to the floor. She
ran up the shades, letting In a flood OF
sunlight, stepped nearer and resumed
her scrutiny.
Darn it'll r. whispered Jane.
She took a hand mirror, revolved
slowly, still keeping up the pitiless
scrutiny.
Darn It'll r said Jane vigorously.
The lady In the mirror was not attrac-
tive, though she might have been so a
dozen years before. Her clothes were
shabby; hands rough and reddened;
her hair. wholly neutral in color,
was twisted into a firm knob on the
back of her head. after the fashion of
women who have no time to waste on
personal adornment; she possessed
nothing that could be classified as
complexion, and her whole expression
and attitude Indicated unmltigated
weariness.
tits my turn now,- said Jane TO her
double; 81 mean to have the time OF
my life"
Jane deserved II. Thirteen years he
fore, when she was eighteen. came
the news Of the disaster which had
swept away both parents, leaving her
to care for Jim and Nell. both too
young to realize the full extent of the
calamity. But now. for two years Jim
had been -James L. Bedford, NJ. d."
and Nell was well along on her we'd
ding journey. and OF their united for
tunes. Jane still had $500 left.
"It rightfully belongs to me-" said
lane to the mirror lady; Il have
earned It"
Hadn't she served Jim and Nell.
both night and day7 Hadn't she seen
to 1t that they could hold their own
with their young compartment Hadn't
she sacrificed college course that
they might lack nothing7 Hadn't she
dismissed the servants and herself
cooked and scrubbed and mended until
both were well settled In life? Hadn't
she given Peter back his ring7 Good
old Peteri How he protested-how he
eoaxed-how he bewailed his fate
uon nc NONtu ht hhAh
lane had done her full duty as she
saw It And Peter was still unmarried.
Yes. the money rightfuily belonged
to her. II was her turn now.
That evening Jane announced that
she was going on a vacation. her first
one In 13 years She just wanted to
90 on by herself. and doze, and dream.
and dawd'e, and be quite free for sew
eral weeks. Yes. she preferred to go
alone. and she preferred not to say
where she was going.
Jane went straight to New York.
She searched out the most eminent
beauty specialist and took daily treat
ments. She had her hair brushed and
summed; she had her face massaged:
she had her hands manicured; she
practiced gymnastics; she took dane
ing lessons; she slept long hours; she
ate good food; she amused herself In
many ways.
At the end of six weeks she re-
turned home and again stood before
the mirror. but a very different lady
returned her gaze; lady Peter surely
NOuiu uppIoNt- All buCc VI WthriutSs
had vanished, the dowdy clothes
had disappeared. and a general air Of
well-beIng had displaced her old care
worn look. From the top of her we'll
eoifed head to the toes of her we'll
dtting shoes. she radiated an impress
sion OF Joyous expectation.
As DIR. Jim was not home from his
Office when she arrived, pink checked
and smiling she set out on walk.
As good luck would have It, she soon
saw Peter approaching; he stared
moment. and then holding out both
hands said, Jane, you were everlast-
lngly right when you refused to let
me bind myself Indefinitely by a
promise. Next week l am to marry
Sylvia Elder, the dearest, loveliest lit
tie girl that ever breathed;" and after
a short pause he added. "You do look
stunning yourself"
Jane grasped both hands cordially
and said, 81 congratulate you most sim
cerely; there can be no mistake this
time
DIR. Jim was at home when Jane
returned. He also stared moment
and then exclaimed:
why, Jane; you are positively pret.
ty, but I never noticed 1t before"
he seemed somewhat Ill at ease, but
finally told her that he had been
thinking matters over during her alb,
sence, and had concluded that In his