Evening star., 1935-04-21
CHAPTER XXI.
GENTLE'JANE.

vANE'S mother went North that
same Summer with the two
younger children. but Jane de-
- cided to stay and keep house
for poor father"
Kansas days are hot in August and
hardly to be endured. Kansas eve
nings are sent as recompense.
When there is no moon there are
certain to be ,lyriads of stars looking
bic as altar candles in the soft Sum-
mer air. There is nearly always q
breeze, a breeze fragrant with growing
things.
Ones own concerns seem petty,
fieeting on a Kansas night and there
is healing magic to be found for weary
aching hearts. James envied no one
their gay bustling resorts. He was con-
tent, things being as they were, to
stay at home.
When after bit he grew lonely of
listening to the voices of the night,
he found Jane always willing to listen
with him. Gentler and gentler she
grew and more and more piquantly
alluring - even provocative. One
never-to-be forgotten evening In mid
die September Jane dined at the Stim-
sons and afterward she and her host
strolled in the woods. James found
himself telling her the story Of his
grandmother and grandfather and
how they first came to Kansas.
Its like an idyll," said Jane softly.
"Their love was always so beautiful.
Do you suppose they're still together,
up there, somewhere? It doesn't seem
It would die a love like theirs"
Il hope so," said James simply.
"If love can die there doesn't seem
much reason for going on"
You're so beautifully understand
ing. Most men would laugh at me
for what l said. But. Of course, I
would not say what I did to any one
else but you"
They talked a little longer of life
and its ephemeral fleeting swiftness
and wondered anew what 1t was all
about. agreeing finally that 1t was
best to gather ones roSebuds while
Ing.
And then the most astounding thing
happened James hair got entangled
in low-hanging branch of an apple
tree and James had to help her un-
loosen it. Standing so close to her
he was suddenly vividly conscious of a
little tender clinging curl growing low
on her neck and he felt he must kiss
that curl; and he did.
A moment afterward Jane was In
his arms unresisting and gloriously
kissing him back. A little later she
released herself but held out her hand
to him.
IT knew this was coming from the
first. James. dear" she said tenderly
" knew our marriage was written in
the stars"
Now what could man do after that
but consider himself engaged and his
kisses an offer of marriage? Jane evil
dently so considered them and after
oil he hoped he wasn't cad. They
went back to the house rather trem-
ulous and little frightened. Their
engagement was announced the day
Leslie came home from the North.
Leslie took 1t calmly She said she
had always felt that James and JAZZ
were made for each other and prompt
ly began embroidering white linen
luncheon set with about 1900 eye
let's as wedding present. The twins,
when Jane triumphantly broke the
news to them. stared at their sister
until she flushed uncomfortably
We'll? Aren't you going to say
anything? wish we happiness? It's
customary, even among relations,
Jane said tartly.
II hand it to you," Norris answered
almost admiringly.
The poor simp." was Mates pitying
comment.
Thereafter the twins never spoke
In James presence of their future
brother-in-law without signing and
shaking their heads. Jane could af-
ford now to ignore their taunts. The
laugh was indiSputably hers.
James then and for years afterward
considered it miracle of Heaven that
q truly superior person like Jane
should care to marry him. He was
fairly startled. however, and somewhat
aehast with the swiftness with which
one momentous event followed another
and with the foreverness and finality
Of succeeding events
James would have liked to have
Kept the engagement a secret for a