The Dolores star., 1922-02-03
HEART-AaE
BY moLLIE MATHER.


Copyright. 1874. Western Newspaper Union
When Jaucy met Don Avery, she had
merely intended 10 drift into mu-
tually helpful conpaniouship. Don's
youth was so happily evident, Janey
knew that she had many years beyond
hlIn' not only by actual count, but In
experience. Yet Don charmed and re-
freshed her as no former lover had
done; for Janey had known her due
OF lovers. As Il very young girl she
had been independent and pretty, as
years passed more critical and exact
ing in choicc-so she had not married
When Don came, she was keeping on
the little home cottage as her mother,
departing this life, had charged her
Obedience was grown by habit to be
part Of Janey. Youthful friends
had for the most part gone far to
make new homes for themselves; but
Janey was still content.
When Don Avery came, she was
more. He arrived breezily, and by
chance, regarding some business ven
ture which would for sometime require
his supervision. and in the natural
course Of things, the minister's wife
introduced him TO Janey; he and her
son had been companions in college.
Jancy, looking up to the tall, frank
fuced young man, smiled her own
sweet smile. while the young man,
looking dowu admiringly, thought,
what "A small winsome creature this
was.
You must let me come over some
times ana sit with you On your front
porch ne said, ~ am mighty lone
some here"
Jauey was glad to let him come. She
hoped, In u modest, earnest sort of
way, that her influence might be good
for stranger in far-away town.
The young men of the village were
| for the most part undesirable associ-
ales; so the friendship between Janey
and Don Avery of Boston grew, and
blOssOmed. For it was Il beautiful
friendship after all. To Janey it
brought new interest and joy to her
days, every pleasing thing that she
| planned was now for his commenda-
ton; the wooden settecs upon either
side of her vined porch, the flower
sun dial in the garden. Don eagerly
| helped her with them all.
1t was old Ellen working about
.Janey's cottage, who brought the
awakening. Ellen had known her all
' her life. You an that young man
| is going to have trouble" said Ellen
| brusqueiy, zone way or the other. You
| are in love, Il blind owl could see that.
| If you marry him, the trouble Will
| come when you wake up to the diff
ference between you, an eff you don't
marry, you've got to part
Janet caught her breath.
you've got to part" she repeated
| DULY. The truth came to her later
Ellen was right. How was 1t that
she and Don had not discovered their
| own coming sorrow When she asked
him gently that question, Don caught
| at her hands laughing.
Rather" he asked, "how is it thai
| we have not discovered the true cause
] of our joy. Oh, l have been happy
| Janey. l am happy. And l won1
give it up for the fancy of a mattel
of years. You are mine and l an
yours-forever dear; it is written; 81
we will marry"
But Janey was firm.
"Now," she said, I'VE both feel tina
way. Later, there would be the SAT
awakening. 1t must be-good-by ant
now, boy dear"
The garden was very lonely after
ward, without his big protecting pres
ence. Janey's heart was achingl!
lonely for the sound of his laughter
but she persevered in her refusal ant
went her way. And Don, SICK ah'
weary, because of his banishment, en-
listed, and went away to war.
/ So years passed. War at last wa
over, while Janey's garden still bios
somed. She was quite alone then
without even old Ellen's presence
Another man quite suitable as to ag
and condition sought place in Janey'
life.
II was all very foolish dreaming, o
course, she with silvery threads SHOW
ing here and there in her ripplin
hair; Don still, wherever he was, VI
tally young and glowing.
4 Through the hedge gap came on
evening mans bent figure. Jane
h,id aside her book and went forwar
"a learn his errand. The mans viii
en.,d hair encircled his cap brim, nj
smile with the deep-cut lines upo
a,the,r side of his mouth, was NOR
melancholy than cheerful. The man
/ ewes leked cid and very tired. Grat'
: .u,,v lie sank into the seat beneat