The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1922-01-03
THE FAITHFUL DICK
Ch An

Inc motner really did not KNOW
what IL was she was asking. she was
suddenly too terrified to think. What
was in James mind? Or rather, what
was in her heart? How had a daugh-
ter OF such a mild mother and strict
father developed sucn amazing ideas?
Jane half turned away, her profile
toward her mother. She smiled
little.
Il haven't done anything you would
disapprove of. mother" she answered,
and the little woman on the couch
felt tons OF weight drop off her heart
at the words.
Butt don't know what might do.
AS | say. after all. it's my life, to
be lived the best way | can. ] want
love, l need it, everybody does.
don't think, after all. that it would
be so wicked" her voice trailed of
into nothing.
Mrs Talbot sat on the sofa without
moving for many minutes, watching
the girl, and trying to comprehend this
new side of her nature. She was gen
timely terrified. so much so that her
very brain felt hot.
Here was a climax, at least, eli
max was approaching. She had to act,
and soon. What was she to do?
Meantime she stared at Jane. The
girl, after looking into space for a
moment, returned to her book and
began studying, apparently thinking
her mothers silence meant the discus
sion was at an end. Mrs. Talbot look
ed at her with new eyes.
Jane was 25. At that age every
girl in the farm neighborhood was
married and had children, or consid-
cred definitely on the shelf. At 20
their figures were already growing
matronly, or what was worse, were
sagging and growing shapeless.
She looked at James straight, light
brown hair, neatly, simply. uncoquet-
tishly combed; at her clear decisive
features, her large brown eyes that
held such fire and intelligence, heT
firmly closed mouth and resolute chin
Jane was very attractive in her own
way-to certain type. of men, She
would dare anything, do anything. She
would look straight ahead with those
fine eyes Of hers and decide what was
best TO be done regardless of tradition
and convention.
She would think she was ruled by
her intelligence. but as 4 matter Of
fact, heart led head There was q
certain fullness in her lips that avi
denced a strong emotional nature
Jane had a very lovely mouth.
The girl felt her mothers gaze, anC
put down her book
You must know Donald better,
she said. You can't possibly under
stand IL you don't know him. But vol
terrify him. he's afraid to come
around
The mother made a supreme effort
Have him for dinner some night
| won't-Tll be as nice as | can"
This pleased the girl, who felt tha
she had won a slight victory. Bu
Mrs. Talbot only felt that the china,
was that much nearer
Then Jane limited at such strange
things-of troubles between Claire anC
Luther that she did not know of. O
plans on Amy's part that had not beer
told to her. She must find out wha
was in her children's minds.
She must begin all over again t
study her own children,
She welcomed Dick that evenins
with feeling of huge relief. Dicl
was SO safe and so sane! He hat
none of the mad, fly-away ideas enter
tanned by these others.
Amy was home that evening. Mrs
Talbot tried to think of excuses Il
leave the two alone, but for some rea
son, Amy was most anxious to maxi
her stay.
"Your room is entirely TOO cold
you can sit here and read and VI
wont hOfhar Won ~ was the WaV Th
girl settled it. "Dickie and l viii
make sandwiches by and by"
Dick smiled with pleasure. Their
was nothing he liked better than t
help Amy make refreshments for III
little parties she had.
We'll make them now. I want
lot I'm hungry" he said, thinking I
have Amy all TO himself in the kitchen
But the clever girl avoided this traI
Mother must come and make may
Cnnaise," she insisted. I'm going
have lettuce sandwiches"
But Dick stood even this with
pleasant mind. If he could not wo
his lady alone, he would do it befor
an audience.
Il like to see you tie that apro
on" he observed. while Amy pulled
white apron over her frock. you loo
so domestic then. can almost in
agine thai you're my wife"
do you want your wife to do III
cooking for your Amy asked. he
voice quite cool and even. Dick seen
ed danger,
No. she won't have to- But one
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