The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-07-12

1 farther away, and besides, they had been planning to go abroad to- gether in another year. It was all disappointing and stupid and roth- ing to be done about it. And now she must hurry to see Jane and find out what her mysterious, dis- turbing, unhappy letters meant. Amy hailed a taxi and gave James address and tried to wrench her thought from her own feelings and get them into a proper state to meet Jane and whatever her diffi- culty might be, but 1t was almost impossible.
 If she's simply acting and work ing herself into one of her states herself firmly, "I'd walk out on her. flat. don't want to hear any non- sense from Jane."
 All the same, it was exciting to think of seeing Jane again, of see ing where and how she lived, and perhaps being friends once more. Maybe Jane had repented the way she had behaved about Howard and her wild accusations against both him and Amy, but that seemed unlike Jane. Maybe she simply wanted to show off to Amy, and maybe-Amq sat back in the cab and mopped her face and stop ped guessing.
 She wished the interview over. The real reason for 1t she never once suspected. With her eyes still dazed from the outside glare she walked hesitantly into the shadowy salon of Jane's apartment, and a shadowy, misshapen figure came hesitantly to meet her.
 "Is Miss Terry" began Amy.
 And Jane's voice, shrill, trem- bling: "Amy-Amy."
 Then Amy knew why she had sent for her. She was so struck with horror and amazement that she could not speak, but she held out her hands and the two women clung together in silence, which presently broke into a chaotic mur- muring half-speech, half-incoher- ent worthless exclamation.
 q knew-I knew you'd come. There was nobody but you"
 "Jane-oh poor Jane!"
 "Amy-Amy! I'm so afraid-it's all so dreadful"
 But Jane--tell me"
 And Jane told. Not very much, not y clearly, but enough for Amy to understand the folly, the danger, the pity of what she had done. Amy understood something more-that for once Jane was not acting, not shamming. For once Jane was honest with herself and her audience.
 "If you'll only stay with me. Amy. That's what mind, being so utterly alone. If only felt we'll I'd get through it by myself, but I feel so strange. Sometimes think might die here without a soul around. You will stay with me. won't you? You won't leave mel"
 "But how can I stay, Jane? I only came on to see the boat sail. I didn't even close the house or make any arrangements. I haven't even any clothes with me except what l need for these two days" But already she was planning. Her mother would take care of the house, send her something to wear. And Howard was gone, would somehow, manage it..
 Jane felt her weakening. You can telegraph that you've decided to make me little visit. Then you can write. They'll certainly see nothing odd in that. No one will think anything odd of whatever you do anyway, Amy. Oh. stay with me! It's onl yanother month. You couldn't go away and leave me now you've seen me-"
 The two girls looked at one an- other, Amy lovely as she had al- ways been in her fair serenity, her fair life; Jane tumbled and swollen and hollow-eyed, aged and i'll. It hurt Amy unbearably to see her so. And Jane, half glancing toward the nearest mirror said, with Q twist of wry humor. T look like the wages of sin, don't I! Oh, and I meant to be so free, so glorious. I ought to be shot for a fool"
 Don't! Jane dear, don't I only wish it was my child"
 "Tll give it to you, if you like. I'm going to send it away to be adopted as soon as it's born. I'm not going to keep it."
 "Jane, you don't mean that. That's the wickedest thing I ever heard of. You wanted to have this child and now you're not going to take care of it! That's horrible. you mustn't even thing of such a horrible thing"
 Jane's great mournful eyes gazed at her friend in utter disillusion. Amy" she said. "do you really think I'd make good mother? wouldn't any child be better of with someone who wants 1t? This child. if 1t lives--it ought never to know who it's mother is." Copyright 1884. by Sophie Kerr)