The Mt. Sterling advocate., 1922-01-26
THE STORY

Jane Orme sat deep In her problem
before the fire. Bruce Addington was
the problem. and even James clear
eyes could read no explanation Of his
strange moods and emotions. Surely
Bruce loved her now. even as she loved
him, the attachment had been growing
slowly and surely. and to Jane Orme
love in its unselnshness was a revela-
tion For years she had written Of the
subject, and the winsome charm Of her
writings won for her fame-fame in
measure. The little town that shell
tered her stu regarded Jane Orme
merely as a kindly. friendly person.
Beyond, In the greater cities, young
girls bending over her books pictured
her very differently as one as ingeni-
ously fascinating as the heroines Of
her own tales. Jane loved to. write
Of French women.
Her latest book. Madeline" was
growing day by day and so real the
character became to Jane that some
times II seemed more than an insist
ent inspiration. When Bruce Adding
ton came calmly and unheralded as
the one all important into her life,
Jane enjoyed much his sympathy in
her work. He was able too, to help
her in many details Of her writing
Bruce had spent three years, long ago.
In France. The firm who recently had
taken him into partnership commits
stoned him there at that time. Jane
Orme, busy and happy in the penning
Of her fancied romances, had found
none equally satisfying for herself;
so, because of her acknowledged low
ableness she was dubbed laughingly,
but believingly. nevertheless, as heart
less. When Bruce came, her assurance
was completely swept aside. Abso-
lutely. Jane loved him.
AS weeks passed, there was about
the big earnest man that which piqued
and troubled her. Why were his dark
eyes always somber shadowed. even
in the look which told Enthusiastically
his lover And while his eyes and ac-
tions voiced this truth, why did his
lips remain silent? Jane, pausing
often over her written pages, wondered
and wondered. And as she brooded,
busy with her problem In the fire.
light, Bruce came suddenly. to sit at
her side. His fine eyes looked search
ingly, pleadingly into her own.
II tried not 10 come" he began.
perplexingly. then stopped.
Jane sighed. She was discouraged
by questionings which failed to bring
explanation Of her lovers moods.
II want" she said, instead, ito let
you read part Of my new book. Bruce.
You can help me with the coloring."
''Tell me the theme" he begged her.
''and later I will 60 over the story.
II is pleasant here with only the tight
Of the flre-and you"
Jane spoke stiffly. 1t was difficult
for her to put into cold words. her
thought
'4The hero," she began. is a fine
young American, who went away to
war-the old story In a measure-for
he becomes wounded and meets, while
convalescing. my appealing Madeline
A little French girl, Bruce. but such
French girl. with the charm OF my
three long ago admired French girls
rolled into ona SO my hero loves,
and impulsively marries But there
my story only begins. Disappointment
and humiliation come to poor little
Madeline when she finds how dissIm-
liar their tastes and dispositions are
Bravely. as she tries to mold herself
into the typical clever American girl
her husband so evidently expected to
nnd beneath her whimsical personal
ity, Madeline fails. to her bitterness
and his despair, while John Allen
himself fails IN living up to the hero
glamor Madeline had married. So,
they separate; he coming back to his
own free country, Madeline living on,
In her own loved city on John Aliens
faithfully sent money. Yet-two lives
eparate-broken. James voice trailed
off musingly. while Bruce, leaning for
ward. caught suddenly at her hands.
crushing them In his own.
"Janew he exclaimed, "Janel where
did you get your thought. your perfect
understanding of that situation"
Jane slowly released her hands.
"Why," she replied, shat would be
the natural outcome of the situation.
Human nature, Bruce" she laughed un-
certainly, '1s supposed to be my special
ty, you know"
Bruce was on his knees. before her.
his head against her arm.
"Then knowing human nature" he
said, perhaps you can forgive my
coming here at all, daring to devote
myself to you. making you learn, per-
haps. to love me. For / was that
young American. Jane. the year went
20 take charge Of our French office.
And there l met and married your
Madeline Of another name We live
apart IN our separate lands. Jane, for
the mistake is irreparable. Yet, the
fetter holds us both from happiness.
I could not be the one to break that
fetter, Jane. This little useless butter
hy OF a Madeline depends still upon