The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-08-03

her, and load of toys to keep the
kiddies quiet. When I want thing,
Jane, / usually get it."
He and the nurse arrived together.
A competent houseworker was to fol-
low in cab. Jane protested. at
seems dreadfully high-handed."
They were alone in the living
room. Miss Martin had, at once, car
ried the kiddies off to unpack the
| toys.
Frederick laughed. well, what
are you going to do about it? You
can't put me OUT
"But I can refuse to 60 with you"
there was the crisp note in her
voice which always stirred him.
but you won't do that, Jane"
He held out his hand to her, drew
her a little towards him.
She released herself, flushing. "I
am not quite sure what I ought to
do"
"Why think of 'oughts'? We win
just play bit together, Jane. That's
! all. And you're such tired little
girl, aren't your"
His sympathy was comforting. Ev-
erybody leaned on Jane. 1t was de-
lghtful to shift her burdens to this
strong man who gave his commands
like king.
eyes, 1 am tired. And if the ba-
bies will be all right"
Soon they were dining in charm
ing French restaurant. The waiter,
with the first course, interrupted
them. When he once more disap-
peared, Frederick persisted. I'm
going away tomorrow. Won't you
give me my answer tonight? After
lunch I'll take you home and you
can rest a bit, and then I'll come
for you and Wen dine together and
see playr"--~4zSsszArsg apz.s>.~.
She tried to protest, but he plead
ed. This is my day. Don't spoil
it Jane. u .'s3s
II was nearly three o'clock when
they left the table, and they had
long drive before them. Darkness
had descended when they reached
the house. 1t was still showing.
Bob was upstairs, walking around
the little room like a man in a
dream: ssns9sHsaassss
81 can't tell you," he confded to
Jane after Frederick had left, chow
queer I felt when / came in and
found Miss Martin with the babies,
and that stately old woman in the
kitchen. And everything going like
clockwork. Miss Martin explained,
and - well, Towne just waves a
wand, doesn't he, Janey, and makes
things happen?"
"I don't know that ! ought to let
him do SO much," Jane said.
"Oh, why not, Janey? Just take
the good the gods provide. :"
Before Frederick Towne reached
his hotel he passed a shop whose
windows were lighted against the
early darkness. In one of the win
dows, fianked by slippers and stock
ings and fan to match, was a
French gown, all silver and faint
blue, shining wisp of a thing in
lace and satin. Towne stopped the
car, went in and bought the gown
with its matching accessories. He
carried the big box with him to his
hotel. Resting bit before dinner
| he permitted himself to dream OF
Jane in that gown, the pearls that
he would give her against the white
of her slender throat, the slim bare
ness of her arms, the swirl of a
| silver lace about her ankles-the
swing of the boyish figure in its
sheath of blue.
He wondered if he offered it to
Jane, would she accept? He knew
she wouldn't Adelaide would have
made no bones about it. There had
been lovely thing in black velvet
he had given her, too, wrap to
match.
The evening stretched ahead OF
him, full of radiant promise. He
knew James strength but he was
ready for conquest.
His telephone rang. And Jane
spoke to him.
''Mr. Towne," she said, 81 can't
dine with you. But can you come
over later? Judy is desperately i'll.
I'll tell you more about it when !
see you."
Bob had cried when the news
came from the hospital 1t had
been dreadful. Jane had never seen
a man cry. They had been hard
sobs, with broken apologies be-
tween. "I'm a fool to act like
this :"
Jane had tried to say things, then
had sat silent and uncomfortable
while Bob fought for self-control.
Miss Martin had gone home be-
fore the message arrived. Bob was
told that he could not see his wife.
But the surgeon would be glad to
talk to him, at eight.
'And I know what he'll say" Bob
had said to Jane drearily, that if
/ can get that specialist up from
Hot Springs, he may be able to dag
nose the trouble. But how am go-
ing to get the money, Janey? 1t will
cost thousand dollars to rush him
here and pay his fee. And my in
come has practically stopped. With
all these labor troubles-there's no
building. And Judy's nurses cost
twelve dollars day-and her room
five. Oh, poor people haven't any
right to be sick, Janey. There isn't
any place for them"
James face was pale and looked
pinched. There's the check Baldy
sent me for Christmas, fifty dol
lars"
ssnaar Girl II x.,o,,1dr,+ 10 = s~