The Washington herald., 1922-02-03

dismissed her maid, after the latter
had assisted her into a loose louns-
ing robe and taken the French
heeled. brillisnt-buckled slippers
from her weary feet
You may go now. Celeste. I'm
too tired to sleep. shall try 10
rest a while before going to bed.
will you bring he any mail that
came this EVENING"
The girl brought a small stack OF
letters and handed them to Jeanne.
She tucked q pillow deftiy under
the dropping shoulders. adjusted
light beside the couch. and stepped
back. hesitating a moment.
Would madame like hot choco-
late? with perhaps a soupcon or
q sleeping potion? OUR
Jeanne shook her head.
1T would only make me dopey
tomorrow, and I have an early en-
gagemenr. haven't IT.
The girl nodded sympathetically.
Nine. Forbes gives a breakfast
at IL"
breakfast Oh. dear."l breathad
Jeanne. but she reused herself with
a sigh
IAN right. Celeste. wake me a,
10. but not a minute before. Good
night"
Left alone, Jeanne's head dropped
into the friendly pillow. She re-
Taxed her whole beautiful body. and
lay. scarcely breathing, for fully
ten minutes. Then the subdue
musical chime of the sttle French
clock in her sitting-room rousa
her to the lateness, or rather the
earliness, of the hour. and she
PICKED up her letters.
The first envelope caused her a
start.
Hearisg FROM Aunt Emily.
1t was addressed in Aunt Emilys
prim, precise handwriting.
jeanne opened it quickly. II con-
tanned news clipping with a pic
ture Of herself. bearing the cap
ton:
Beautiful Bride-to-be of One of
Americas Richest Young Men.
Announcement Is Made of En-
gagement of Miss Jeanne Dare
to Victor Barstowe. Son of Null
timillionaire."
written. I'VE were right surprised to
see the picture enclosed and to ind
out that you were going to marry
a multimillionaire. Mrs. Jones son
Tom, saw II a week ago in a Chi
cago paper; but / said it couldn't
be you on account of the name
but then / remembered that you
always were that romantic and
wanting US to call you Jeanne in
stead OF Jane after your own faith
er's mother like you were christened.
So Mrs Jones wrote to Tom and he
cut out the picture and sent 1t to
US. You look right stylish, Jane, but
we all recognized you right away.
I'VE hadn't heard from you since
you left with that crazy idea of
yours about making more money in
New York, and your uncle and I got
right worried; but Henry said he'd
( seen you when he went East. and
that you we've looking all right and
acting happy. / guess this Mr.. Bar
stowe must have been the man you
worked for, amt he? I don't sup
pose you could have met a multi
millionaire any other way.
We'll, Jane, hope you'll be
happy. though it does seem >as
though there's a right smart differ
ence between people like him and
people like you. You're pretty
though, so maybe it'll be all right
Goodness knows. I'll be relieved to
have you married and settled down!
You always were a wild one. having
such queer ideas and wanting to act
like a society girl.
Now that you're going to have a
lot Of money, I hope you won't get
your head turned and be ashamed
Of Us who raised you. We did our
best by you when your people died.
and 1t wasn't always easy. what
with our big family an your uncle
never making much In the business.
anyway. Charles. jr.. ought to go
to college. I've set my heart on IL.
but goodness knows where the
moneys coming from. The house
needs to be painted, and I declare
I'm ashamed Of the parlor furniture.
it's that worn. Your uncle and I
got 1t the first year we were mar
| ried.- The rest of the children are
growing so fast it's all we can do
to keep them in clothes, and haven't
had new dress for five years. &.
I'd like to come to your wedding,
but | guess you'd be ashamed OF
me and your uncle in our shabby
clothes among all his rich folks.
Henry seems right down in the
mouth / guess he will miss you.
We all send our love. Your loving,
AUNT EMILY,
p. S.-Mrs. JOKES wants the pat
tern of your wedding dress. and I'd
like piece of wedding cake in one
of those little whfte hoxes like q n
the rich people have"
IT, l.