The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-08-24
CHAPTER XIV

1t was after the day when she
had met Evans in the Glen that
Jane began to be haunted by ghosts.
There was ghost who wandered
through Sherwood on moonlights, a
limping, hesitating ghost who said,
You're wine, Jane. ! must have
my daily sip of you"
And there was ghost who came
In a fog and said,. "You are a lam
tern, Jane-held high"
And that ghost in the glow of the
hearth-fre-"You are food and drink
to me, Jane. Do you know it?"
Ghosts, ghosts, ghosts; holding out
appealing hands to her. And always
she had turned away. But now she
did not turn. Over and over again
she lent her ears to those whisper
ing words, Jane, you are wine
Jane, you are lantern. :. You
are food and drink, Jane :"
Well, she was having her punish
ment. She had not loved him when
he needed her. And now that she
needed him, she must not love him.
Towne was aware of difference
in her when he returned from New
York. She was more remote. A
little less responsive. Yet these
things caused him no disquiet. Her
crisp GOODNESS had always constitut-
ed one of her great charms. "You
are tired, dearest, he told her when
they were lunching at the Capitol
In the Senate restaurant. II wish
you would marry me right away,
and let me make you happy"
"Oh," she told him, earnestly,
''you promised / might wait until
Judy could come on. In June"
"I know. But it viii be very
hot, and you'll have a whole life
time in which to see judy"
But not at my wedding. She's my
only sister,"
II see," but his voice showed his
annoyance; "but it seems as if your
family have demanded enough of
you. Can't you think a bit about
yourself-and me?"
She pressed her point. Judy is
like my mother. ! can't be mar
ried without her and the babies"
'If the babies come, you'll be
looking after them until the last
moment, and it will be great strain
on you, sweetheart"
"Oh, it won't be. adore babies. T"
His quick jealousy fiared. II
DON'T" he said, with a touch of
sulkiness. I'm not fond of chill
dren."
She ate in silence. And presently
he said repentantly, "You must
think me a great boor, Jane. But
you don't know how much / want
you"
He was like a repentant boy. She
made herself smile at him. Il think
you are very patient, Mr.. Towne. ="
'I am not patient. / am most
impatient. And when are you 60
ing to stop calling me Mr.. Towne?"
''When / can call you-husband. "
"But l don't want to wait until
| then, dearest"
'But Frederick is so long, and
Fred is so short, and 'Ricky'
sounds like a highball." She had
thrown off her depression and was
sparkling.
Nobody calls me 'Ricky' but Ad-
elaide. / always hated it."
did you?" She was demure. 81
might say my love- like the ladies
| in the old-fashioned novels"
He laughed deightedly. Say it. ("
She acquiesced Unexpectedly. my
love, we are invited to weekend
with the Delafeld Simms, at their
new country place, Grass Hills"
''Are WEI" Then in a sudden ar
dent rush of words, "Jane, I'd kiss
you if the world wasn't looking on. p"
"The reporters would be ecstatic.
Headlines"
81 am tired of headlines. And
what do you mean about going to
| Delaield Simms?"
"They are asking lot of his
friends. 1t is his wife's introduction
to his old crowd. Much will de-
pend on whether you and Edith will
accept. And it was Edith who
asked me to-make you come"
| She gave him the truth, knowing
it to be better than diplomacy. II
told her that / couldn't make you.
But perhaps if you knew / wanted
it" She paused inquiringly.
He leaned towards her across the
| table. ASK me, prettily, and I'll
do it."
"Really?" She laughed, blushed
and did it. "Will you go-my lover"
Gould / say mo- to that?" He
radiated satisfaction. "Do you know
how charming you are, Jane?"
"Am I? But it is nice of you to 60.
I know how you'll hate it."
mot if you are there. And now,
who else are asked?".
"Oh, Mrs. Laramore and Eloise
Harper and lot of others. Lucy
says she'll be like a fish out OF
water, but Delafeld has made up his
mind that his friends shan't think
| that he's ashamed of her."
When their ices came and their
coffee, Frederick said, i've got to
spend a half-hour in a committee
room. Shall ! take you up to the
Senate Gallery?"
s'No-there's nothing interesting
is there? I'll wait in Statuary Hall. .
When Frederick came, he found
her standing before the prim statue
| of Frances Willard.
''Tired, sweetheart"
! mo"
ST stayed longer than expected. 4"
'tIt didn't seem long. I have had
| x~Iox.fx, ~ aovananu -