The Washington herald., 1922-05-06
cortsrued from Yesterday.


marry you ever since the nrst day
I saw YOU. didn't realize II, how
ever, until we were parted. The
most Jealous moment of my life i
believe. was when Harry, my own
son, almost took you from me-"
Jane shook nervously. She could
not speak. Roberts mistook ner
overcoming emotion for modest
hesitation and maidenly reluctance
He seized her in his arms suddenly
and kissed her.
You must love me-you shall,
he whispered close to her ear.
Please" Jane cried, writhing 70
be free.
He released her quickly and
turned upon her in surprise.
You mean you do not carer ne
demanded.
Jane hung her head miserabiy.
unable to answer. He took her
hand and stroked II tenderly.
Il was sure that you cared that
day-when you went away" he
said brokenly. You cannot know
what IL has meant to me to have
you to rebuild my hopes. &.
A sweet. pure young woman like
youi Come to me and say you will
stay here with me-where We can
live and lover he pleaded.
His eyes were burning close to
James. She felt the sway OF his
body toward her. In another mo-
ment she might have yielded for
Mr.. Roberts was compelling. Jane
glanced up for a swift second at
the silvery clouds and she saw a
pale star beckoning like the one
Mr.. Jones had pointed out over the
mountain topl Jane gave q cry,
snatched herself free from his hot
hold and darted back into the
'shrubbery.
A moment, and she was leapins
down the terrace and had gained
the road. On and on Jane ran. un-
mindful of the shouts OF Mr.. Rob-
erts and the sound of his pursuing
footsteps.
She knew that she need not fear
rim. but 1t was herself she was
nying! Away! Away Away,
When she had gained a good dis
tance she slipped through a side
pain ana sat down upon a clump
OF grass.
What a poor scene that had
She hdu leIt the poor man
without a definite answer. For all
ne knew sne might be a capricious
~ ~aIo VINO would only give her
rover a game of hide and seekN
Jane heard footsteps again down
.he ROAD II he found her now.
nov could she withhold him?
1atnerins the folds of her cape
more closely about her, Jane took
wind
On and on she flew. Her breath
was coming now in short gasps-
soon sne was forced to rest. she
chose a bench that was convenient
Iy set on the edge of a lawn. Jane
nouced that a large house was
standing high on a hill against the
oacksround of the woods. 1t. was
unit against the moonlight. 1t
must be unoccupied. The spirit Of
adventure lured Jane up the ter
races put Just as she was about to
mount the veranda, a man stepped
out OF the shadows. He was smok-
ing a cigarette. the light was the
nrst signal Of his approach.
Good evening"" he said.
oh" Jane gasped.
He managed to conceal surprise
at James late visit, and advanced
genially to ask
Do you want to see me?"
No"
Well. won't you come on the
porch-and rest" he suggested He
could discern her agitation. James
breath was still coming in catches
i've been running" she said,
rather foolishly.
I noticed you!" he said. where
are you going?"
Il don't know where I am go.
ing-I was just running"
Indeed"
And then Jane reclined in a
wicker chair and relaxed.
ran a long. long way" she
breathed.
He looked at her in astonish-
ment. and then suggested
"A little brandyY'
No! Never! Just a little water
-please"
He went into the house slammtnr
the door rather noisily. and as he
passed Jane got a Whit of alcohol.
She wondered who he was. and for
the hrst time It occurred to he,
that II was not at all safe for a
young girl to seek refuge at night
in a dark house like this.
As Jane was sitting in fear and
doubt wondering whether to run
OF before the strangers return, a
machins whizzed up the driveway
and a girls laughter rose in merry
relief.
A young man In a swagger ul-
ster alighted- Then the young lady
feAped down into his arms.
Norman. old deari That was a
real joy-rider'
so IL was Bess" he said. and
they mounted the steps cheeriIy.
It was very dark through the trees.
Jane couldn't see their faces, but
the voice OF the man seemed fam
liar. When they detected Jane
huddled up in the chair, the man
raised his hat. and said. with open
Interrogation.
Good evening""
The lady came over and peered
into James face with frank curl
osify.
"Are you visiting derald!" she
asked .doubtfully.
NO. IL just passed and stepped
for drink of water" Jane said.
Here you arer' deep voice
called out. and the man who had
gone for the water threw open the
front door Ar thu sana ffrnA fhs