The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-09-07

IL ISL QuGStlOI u IiE0I OT
wrong. If things turn out with these,
new people as I hope, I'll be paint
ing like mad for the next two
months. And you'll have your work
cut out for you as my model. They
like you, Jane. They said So"
He had driven on steadily for a
time, and had then said, II never
wanted you to marry him.
why not, Baldy?"
He turned his lighted-up eyes upon
her. "Janey-I wanted you to have
your-dreams-"
She had laid her hand on his arm
in swift caress. you're a dar-
ling" and after while, Nothing
can take us from each other, ever,
Baldy."
Never had they drawn closer in
spirit than at this moment. But
they said very little about it. When
they came to the house, Badly went
at once to the garage. 'I'n answer
that letter, and put in a good after
noon looking over my sketches. He
did not tell her how gray the day
stretched ahead of him-that golden
day which had started with high
hopes.
Jane changed to loose straight
frock of orange cotton, and without a
hat, feeling actual physical freedom
in the breaking of her bonds, she
swung along the path to the little
grove. 1t was aromatic with the
warm scent of the pines, and there
was cool shade in the heart of it.
Jane had brought a. bag of stock
ings to mend, and sat down to her
homely task, smiling a little as she
thought of the contrast between this
afternoon and yesterday, when she
had sat on the rim of the fountain
and watched Adelaide and the pea
cock. She had no feeling of rancor
against Adelaide. She was aware
only of great thankfulness.
She was, indeed, at the moment.
stepped in divine content. Here was
the place where she belonged. She
had a sense of blissful escape.
Merrymaid came down the path,
her tail plume. The kitten fol-
lowed, A bronze butterfly fioated
across their vision, and they leaped
for it-but it went above them-joy-
ously towards the open blue of the
sky. The two cats gazed after it,
then composed themselves careful
ly like pair of miniature lions
their paws in front of them, sleepy
eyed but alert for more butterflies,
or for James busy thread.
And it was thus that Towne found
her. Convinced that the house was
empty, he had started towards
Baldy's studio. Then down the Wis.,
ia of the pine grove, his eye had
been caught by spot of golden
color. He had followed it.
She laid down her work and looked
up at him. "You shouldn't have
come"
"My dear child, why not? Jane,
you are making mountains of
molehills."
"I'm not"
He sat down beside her. The little
cats drew away, doubtful. ''It was
natural that you should have resent
ed it. And a thing like that isn't
easy for man to explain. Without
seeming a-cad-"
"There isn't anything to explain"
s'But there is. I have made you
unhappy, and I'm sorry"
She shook her head, and spoke
thoughtfully. ~ think ! am-happy.
Mr.. Towne, your world isn't my
world. / like simple things and
pleasant things, and honest things.
And ! like One-Woman man, Mr..
Towne."
He tried to laugh. "You are jeal-
ous."
''No," she said. quietly, "it isn't
that, although men like you think
it is. A woman who has self-re-
spect must know her husband has
her respect. Her heart must rest
in him."
He spoke slowly. ''I'll admit that
I've philandered lot. But I've nev-
er wanted to marry anyone but you.
can promise you my future"
.I'm sorry. But even if last night
had never been-I think should
have-given you up. had begun
to feel that l didn't love you. That
out there in Chicago you swept me
off my feet. Mr.. Towne, I am sor-
ry. And l am grateful. For all
your kindness" She flushed
and went on, "You know, of course,
that l shan't be happy until don't
owe you anything :"
He laid his hand on hers. .T wish
you wouldn't speak of it. 1t was
nothing"
1T was a great deal"
He looked down at her, slender
and young and infinitely desirable.
"You needn't think I am going to
let you co. he said.
"I'm afraid-you must"
He famed suddenly. I'm more
of One-Woman man than you
think. If you won't marry me, I
won't have anyone else. I'll go on
alone. As for Adelaide-A woman
like that doesn't expect much more
than I gave. That's all I can say
about her She means nothing to
me, seriously, and never will. She
plays the game, and so do l, but
it's only game.
He looked tired and old. "I'll go
abroad tomorrow. When ! come
back, perhaps you'll change your
mind"
II shall never change it," she
said, never"
He stood up. "Jane, I could make
you happy" He held her hand as
she stood beside him.
She looked at him and knew that