The Washington herald., 1922-05-11
cortfrued frn-, Yesterday.


Black Wings.
You're really not cross with me
because I won't elope with you to-
day." Jane demanded lightly OF
Traverse.
'I may get the ring tnoush! ne
asked boyishly.
And the license
Nothing can change things? he
pleaded.
Nothing" Jane promised. and in
the dim light Of the hall she Kissed
him
moment later-all blushing and
radiant-they entered the drawing
room. Jane knew at once that
something was wrong. The doctor
was standing gravely at the window
talking to the hOusekeeper. who
had a funeral expression on her
usual fat and comfortable face.
How is MIR. Roberts?" Jane
asked anxiously.
Dead" the doctor replied coldly.
Jane gave a shrek of terror. and
flew out of the room in tears.
Norman followed her into the
hall. where she flung herself upon
the floor and sobbed- as though her
heart would break.
Did you care for him so much?
he asked rather DrOkenly.
You don't understand! l killed
him. l killed him" Jane repeated
historically Then the effects or
the sleepless night told, and Jane
collapsed into a nervous heap.
She could only remember the
housekeeper leading the way up
the stairs. as Norman's strong arms
bore her to her room.
Absolute quiet" Jane heard the
doctor say out of the dark. and
sfhen sank into an abyss of shat
Dering blackness where thousands
Of owls were hooting at her and
black wings were tapping.
The next day Jane had recovereo
Sufficiently to move into town. The
apartment was a welcome haven
after the funeral house. However,
Jane could not rest very long at
home because she had to hurry to
the office to take care of the busf-
ness which was in turmoil after
Mr.. Roberts death. kilograms were
dispatched to Harry and a cable
gram was sent to Mrs. Roberts In
Paris.
Jane wondered what Harry would
saw when he learned that she had
been visiting again at the farm.
She dreaded another scandalous
scene. especially since the house
keeper said that Mr.. Roberts had
changed his will only the morning
of his death and hinted that some
thing was provided for Jane. 1t
made Jane very unhappy to think
Of his last words, I'll adopt you,
if you're afraid of-talk."
Jane felt the obligation of Mr..
Roberts last confidence and kept
firmly to her post. When man
passes out suddenly, his private
secretary is. perhaps. the only one
who can snatch up the reins. Jane
felt all the satisfaction of settling
his business as systematically as
he himself would have had it.
Those were hard days-then came
the funeral.
Norman escorted Jane to the
services. 1t was very agonizing!
Jane could tell by the strange
gIances of the neiEhbors that she
was looked upon as a mere ste
n0grapher' who had finessed into
the good graces of this old million
aire. Jane heard whispering-talk!
Harry Roberts was there. too! He
appeared only during the brief ser
mon in the candle-lit drawing
room where the bier it seemed,
was floating in flowers. He glanced
neither % the right nor to the left,
but stood at the head of his fathers S
casket. and looked like a real man.
Erect and dignihed and sober he
stOod--a grave respect strengthen
inc his face.
There followed simple service
in the cemetery. and then the quick
dispensing TO limOusiues. 1t was
over, NIr. Roberts was dead. Every
one had something else to begin
working or worrying about.
Just as Norman and Jane were
crossing to the car, Harry Roberts
passed He raised his hat most re-
speCtfully. His expression was of
such goodwill that Jane felt sure
he had heard nothing about the
rumored change in the will.
Nice looking chap" Norman
commented and Jane echoed. Yes
fearing what the next day would
bring forth.
When JaEe got to the office the
following Monday Harry was there,