Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1939-10-05
CHAPTER X-Continued
H.


life?"
cit might. Tits the last chance,
Janey."
Janey Rugged her knees. "Can't
you borrow the money!"
81 have borrowed up to the limit
of my securities, and how can I
ever pay?"
Her voice was grim. 'We will
manage to pay; the thing now is to
save judy"
eyes," he tried, pitifully, to meet
her courage. eff they'll get the
specialist, we'll pay"
She had risen. "I'l call up Mr..
Towne, and tell him I can't dine
with him.
''But, Janey, there's no reason
why you shouldn't keep your en-
gagement."
She had turned on him with a
touch of indignation. "Do you think
I could have one happy moment
with my mind on Judy?"
Bob had looked at her, and then
looked away. "Have you thought
that you might get the money from
Towne?"
Her startled gaze had questioned
him. ''Get money from Mr..
Towne?"
eyes. Oh, why not, Janey? He'll
do anything for you"
''But how could pay him?"
There had been dead silence, then
Bob said, "Well, he's in love with
you, isn't he?"
"You mean that I can-marry
him?"
eyes. Why not? Judy says he's
crazy about you. And, Jane, it's
foolish to throw away such chance.
Not every girl has it."
''But, Bob, I'm not-in love with
him."
you'll learn to care-He's a de-
lightful chap, I'd say" Bob was
eager. "Now look here, Janey, I'm
talking to you like Dutch uncle.
It isn't as if I were advising you
to do it for our sakes. It is for
your own sake, too. Why, it would
be great, old girl. Never another
worry. Somebody always to look
after you.''
The wind outside was singing
wild song, roaring, cynical song,
it seemed to Jane. She wanted to
say to Bob, "But I've always been
happy in my little house with Badly
and Philomel, and the chickens and
the cats" But of course Bob could
say, you're not happy now, and
anyhow what are you going to do
about Judy?"
Judy!
She had spoken at last with an eff
fort. "I'l tell him to come over
after dinner. We can ride for
bit.'
"Why not stay here? I'll be at the
hospital. And the storm is pretty
bad"
She had looked out of the window.
"There's no snow. Just the wind.
And I feel-stifed.
1t was then that she had called up
Towne. II can't dine with you
Judy is desperately ill :"
The houseworker had prepared
delicious dinner, but Jane ate moth
ing. Bob's appetite, on the other
hand, was good. He apologized for
it. II went without lunch, / was
so worried"
The bell rang. Jane, going to the
door, found herself shaking with ex-
element.
Frederick came in and took both
of her hands in his. "I'm terribly
sorry about the sister. Is there any
thing ! can do?"
She shook her head. She could
hardly speak. 81 thought if you
wouldn't mind, we'd go for a ride.
And we can talk"
Good. Get your wraps" He re-
leased her hands, and she went into
the other room. AS she looked into
the mirror she saw that her cheeks
were crimson.
She brought out her coat and he
held it for her. els this warm
enough? You ought to have a fur
coat"
ooh, shall be warm" she said.
AS he preceded her down the
stairs, Towne turned and looked up
at her. "You are wearing my rose,"
he told her, ardently; "you are like
a rose yourself"
She would not have been woman
if she had not liked his admira-
ton. And he was strong and ador-
ing and distinguished. She had a
sense of almost happy excitement
as he lifted her into the car.
where shall we driver" he asked.
"Along the lake. love it on a
night like this"
The moon was sailing high in a
rack of clouds. AS they came to the
lake the waves writhed like mad
sea-monsters in gold and white and
black.
"Jane," Frederick asked softly,
what made you wear-my rose?"
She sat very still beside him. "Mr.
Towne," she said at last, "tell me
how much-you love me-"
He gave start of surprise. Then
he turned towards her and took her
hand in his. "Let me tell you this!
there never was a dearer woman,