The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1929-01-03

didn't it? AnC that wretched little pain
that had been tagging her heartbeats
lately-why, at this moment she could
feel it, piercing her side like needle.
Pains were symptoms. This might
mean-angina pectoris!
Another woman might have acted
more sensibly bat Janet was not
sensible woman. She was Just pretty
and affectionate and very, very gentle
and timid. Credulous, too, as child
and sensitive and high-strung. Mac,
her big kindly husband, had nodded
about her an environment of love and
care and tenderness. He understood
her aud gioried in her every feminine
quality, because it gave him a chance
to show how much he loved her. And
Janet had thought foolishly that er-
erybOdy in the world felt toward her
just as Mac did. She looked for no
harm and expected no evil.
She was fast sobbing herself into
feverish headache when she felt
presence in the room and suspected
her husband. With an impulse to fling
herself into his arms she moved. But
it was not Mac who stood beside the
davenport gazing down upon her with
a curiosity that was half humorous.
"Well, declare! What are you try
ing to do? Make yourself down sick
with that foolish sobbing?" demanded
| old Mrs. Tobey. She sat down beside
Janet. MY" she exclaimed. as she
sank deep. '"Where'd you get this
sofa? l never sat so comfortable in
all my life"
Janet wiped here eyes and nose and
tried to look reciprocative.
Mac gave the set to me-for my
birthday, she said and sighed.
Old Mrs. Tobey quizzed her with a
long look out of shrewd blue eyes.
"What are you signing about it for?"
she demanded. Don't you like it?"
Like it, said Janet, dolefully. "Of
course l do. I've wanted some nice
furniture for years. But, oh, dear!
Mrs. Tobey, what does furniture or
anything matter in this world Tiff
you aren't going to live to enjoy it,"
Old Mrs. Tobey studied Janet
moment. Heart trouble, eh?' she said
at last
Janet nodded dumbly. She TOOK up
the old woman's large warm hand and
laid upon her own bosom. Her eyes
explored old Mrs. Tobey's with terri
fed question.
The real shock came when old Mrs.
Tobey laughed and laughed so
heartily that Janet felt an aggrieved
sense of being made fun of.
Guess you need a little soda for
your Digestion" the old woman said.
"You haven't got any heart trouble,
child. If you had you wouldn't know
it. The worst kinds of heart trouble
are quiet. Yours isn't heart, it's
lFlossy Keller. She just went out of
here, didn't she?"
"Yes," admitted Janet.
81 saw her, and her face was as red
as fire. She's mad clear through be-
cause you've got the very living room
suite that she had been prodding her
husband to buy for her. l shouldn't
be surprised if she told you that
though you had got the set away from
her you wouldn't live long to enjoy it.
She's capable Of it or anything else
with her jealous nature"
Janet was scarlet with establishment
and relief.
"Why, Mrs Tobey!" she gasped.
81 suspected what she was up to
when 1 saw her coming in here" went
on old Mrs Tobey quietly. $50 the
minute saw her leave 1 patted over
myself. l was pretty sure what I'd
find-besides the new furniture. When
you've lived to my years you'll have
learned not to let the Flossy Keelers
of this life have any influence over
you. Alkali kills acid, you know and
there's nothing like a good laugh to
counteract the effects of a nasty dose
of envy"