The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-07-04
SlPHIE KERRS GREAT NOVEL ....u...u.x ux
'* = <~1T1T ~ M. I1E m.
"."" d. H.
By.-Sophie Kerr

work IN the nan 1911 wy
ished. but the living room is, l
did it today" Amy flung open
Jane hesitated: as there any
one there?" she asked and Amy
knew that Jane was afraid how
ard might be there. Shesdldnt
want to see Howard. She didn't
want to say his name. SO per-
haps she wasn't quite so splendid
and carefree as she'd seemed at
first.
"There's no one" said Amy,
and went in ahead. Jane follow
ing.
cts rather NICE" said Jane,
after a pause. "a pity you have
not grasscloth on the walls in
stead of that paper. | have sort
of natural grasscloth in my
apartment. 1t makes, = wonder
full background for pictures, and
it has an interesting texture. l
have silk curtains. not scrim.
And I've picked up some prints
and etchings and some good old
bits of brass and copper"
at must be lovely" said Amy.
''Do you live all alone Or"
Jane swung round at her Sharp
ly. Eyes, l do. Of course / have
my maid. But it's only the pro-
vincial mind that sees anything
wrong in a self-supportin~' wom-
an living alone in these days" !.
81 was only asking for rinfor-
nation. 1t certainly never occur
red to me that there should, be.
anything wrong about it, Jane.
Don't twist my words"
Jane stormed on: what no
one here appreciates in that
there's an entirely new era be-
gun for women They're free to
choose their work, to live their
lives as they want to. Marriage
is only one of many possible ca
reers and one Of the least desir-
abb. A woman has a right to
bear children if she wants to out
side Of marriage
Amy felt far more at home
with this Jane who ranted wild
ideas. "Oh stuff" she said.
every child has the right to the
protection of the ordinary civill-
zed conventions. A woman may
do as she pleases about marrying.
but she certainly shouldn't bring
a child into the world for its
shame and dishonor. Children
don't ask to be born. They're
helpless"
"Of course you'd think that
simply because you've always re-
fused to go with the times"
Amy suddenly wanted to laugh
at the absurdity of arguing with
Jane on the subject of feminlsm
at practically the first moment
of their meeting.
you're like Aunt Rosa" went
on Jane vehemently, "The reason
came is because l intend to
make her give up my inheritance,
so that l can do something on
nv own. It's wicked for her to
be managing that money when l
could double it, over and over
again-but she doesn't believe a
woman knows anything about
business, anything at all, the old
idiot! Pm losing chance after
chance -" she quoted herself
suddenly. She had not meant to
tell anyone this. "And heavens"
she said, 81 must hurry back.
She's going to have the lawyer
come up. SO nice to see you,
Amy, and your new house."
Amy caught her arm. "Jane,"
she cried. don't GO like this, I've
missed you so. Dear Jane-can't
we be friends again. But she
knew it was useless to ask. Jane
had turned to stone, Jane had
not forgotten or forgiven.
"Goodby," said Jane, 81 must
go. 1--we nothing to say to you
i didn't want to see you at
al" She started away.
But Amy ran after her. "Re-
member, Jane DEAR" she cried,
remember. l am always your
friend. If there's ever anything
in the world l can do for you, /
will"
At these words another Jane
looked at Amy, Jane whose
eyes. were full Of doubt and fear,
a lonely frightened Jane who
wanted kindness and help as in
the years gone by Amy had seen
this Jane before at times when
she had been sighted or laughed
at or neglected by the other chill
dren, or, when she had done some
think reckless and daring that
needed pardon. This. was the
Jane Amy had always been so
quick to champion. to. defend, to
comfort. But the glimpse of this
other Jane lasted only an in
slant, was so brief that Amy al
most doubted that she had seem
it. All she now saw was the
smart slim brown-clad figure
walking swiftly and decisiyely
away from her as from. a
stranger.
Copyright, 1884, by Sophie Kerr
(To, be continued
Monthly Pains Relieved