Smyrna times., 1931-07-22
WEEKLY SOCIETY STORY FOR
EVENING ROUND THE LAMP
READING TO WHILE AWAY
TIME AFTER DAYS CHORES
Didn't Know Her Own Mind" An
Interesting Short Story Writ
ten by Helen Hopwood
ssT rs always the same way with


ssT rs always the same way with
you, Jane Crawford" de-
clared James cousin Priscilla in
tones of utmost evaporation. You
set your heart on a thing and then,
once you get it-good nighti You
no longer care two pins about i'll"
DOUBTLESS you're right, old
DEAR" drawled Jane lazily from
the eushiony depths of the couch
hammock. Not the achievement,
but the achieving, is my joy! How
ever. what's the immediate cause
of your wrath?'
pinch, your Pekinese," returned
Priscilla tartly. After wheedling
him out of your long-suffering IA
ther, you've as much use for him
as for the kitchen mop. The crea-
ture is far fonder of me because |
give him his meals than of you, his
owner
Get along with you, Priscilla J"
and Jane, suddenly indignant, sat
upright and flung a cushion at her
cousins fair head. Then STOPPING,
she gathered the tiny subject of
discussion into her arms. Little
doggie mustn't like other peoples
better than me-" she warned him
crooningly. The next instant she
tumbled the puppy unceremonious-
ly into Priscilla's lap. Heavens.
here's Dick alreadyp
Sure enough, Dick Newton,
James fianee of twenty-four hours
standing, was swinging in at the
gate. his pleasant eyes alight at
the sight of the girl he loved. A
moment later, as Priscilla made
swift and tactful retreat indoors,
he took Jane in his arms.
"Jane, darling, we must be mar
ried within the month. My firm is
sending me out to Shanghai and
the trip will be our honeymoon y
Richard Newton had come to
Warrensville for a brief sOjOurn
as temporary manager of a chain
of stores.
Dick had come, had seen, and
after a conservative delay all the
more provocative, had been con-
quered. Came the hour when Jane
whispered properly hesitant
'yes"-and now, in the near future,
nearer than she had dreamed,
tinkled the wedding bells.
Then, about the ears of those
concerned. on the very day before
the wedding, the universe all but
tumbled. Jane. her nerves worn
to an edge by crowded days of
preparation for an event which
would occupy at most brief hour
or so. went suddenly to pieces.
"It's-it's all a mistake r she
walled to Priscilla who had paused
astounded in the act of stuffing
with tissue paper the sleeves of a
taffeta gown. I'll don't want
to be married. | was certainly
c-crazy about Dick until | got him.
And now"
I'm other words" said Priscilla
coldly, hes a second Pinch. Well
what are you going to do about
it?"
''Well you-will you tell him?'
asked Jane timidly.
For full minute Priscilla stared
blankly at her cousin. Then her
glance swept the room heaped with
wedding finery and her expression
grew thoughtful WELL" she said
at last, 81 suppose, as your maid
of honor, Pm at your beck and call
for most any job. So here goes
| happen to know that Dicks over
at the house chinning with dad"
She sprang up lightly, tossed the
taffeta gown in the trunk tray and
was gone.
which was longer than she had an
ticipated, Jane alternated between
sighs of relief and spasms of
dread.
When Priscilla returned her eyes
held an odd expression altogether
unfathomable. "Jane-I-I fully
intended to do as you asked-but,
well, it seems that Dick-oh. hang
it, Jane, read for yourself" She
extended a man's-siZe envelope,
then folded her hands and watched
James face as she read.
Dear Jane-What will you think
of me? / regret-wel1, let me blurt
the whole thing out. feel like a
cad, but are you sure we better go
through with this? Do we care
enough, after all? Hadn't we bet
ter rectify a mistake before it is
too late?
RICHARD NEWTON"
For a moment there was silence
silence so deep that the discord-
ant ticking of two gift clocks in a
distant room was distinctly audible.
Then Jane flew to the telephone.
"You, Dick? Well, listenl You
can't mean what you write! You
you-why, my heart would be bro
keni Oh, you'll think | have no
dignity-no pride. 1t is all right?
Thank heaven !"
Jane turned to her cousin.
Don't you ever tell a single soul,
Priscilla, that | almost wasn't mar
riedl AS for Dick-I just know l
can make him happy!"
After the ceremony the follow
ing day Dick managed word with
the maid of honor. you sure
were a brick" he told her CRATE
fuIly .nuttinP me wise how TO deal