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THURSDAY, SEPT. 7, 1939] THE DIM LANTERN 01 By Temple BAILEY PENN PUBLISHING Ctt WNU SERVICE (CONCLUSION) Edith read the note twice, then put it to her lips. She hardly dared admit to herself the keenness of her disappointment. She stood for a long time at the window looking out. Why had Jane decided not to marry Uncle Fred erick? What had happened since yesterday afternoon? From Edith’s window she could see the south lawn. The servants were arranging a buffet luncheon. Little tables were set around—and wicker chairs. Adelaide, tall and fair, in her favorite blue and a broad black hat stood by one of the little tables. She was feeding the pea cock with bits of bread. She made a picture, and Towne’s window faced that way. “I wonder—” Edith said, and stopped. She remembered coming in from the movies the night be fore and finding Adelaide and Towne on the porch. And where was Jane? Towne did not eat lunch. He pleaded important business, and had his car brought around. But every body knew that he was following Jane. Mystery was in the air. Ade laide was restless. Only Edith knew the truth. After lunch, she told Lucy. “Jane isn’t going to marry Uncle Fred. I don’t know why. But I am afraid that it is breaking up your house party.’’ “I hope it is,” said Lucy, calmly. “Delafield is bored to death. He wants to get back to his pigs and roses. I am speaking frankly to you because I know you understand. I want our lives to be bigger and broader than they would have been if we hadn’t met. And as for you” —her voice shook a little—“you’ll always be a sort of goddess bless ing our hearth.” Edith bent and kissed her, emo tion gripping her. “Your hearth is blessed without me,” she said, “but I’ll always be glad to come.” Towne, riding like mad along the Virginia roads, behind the compe tent Briggs, reread Jane’s letter. “I was not up-stairs last night when you came. I was asleep in the window-seat of the living-room, just off the porch. And your voice waked me and I heard what you said, and Mrs. Laramore. And I can’t marry you. I know how much you’ve done for me—and I shall never forget your goodness. Baldy will take me home.” Enclosed was a pink check. Towne blamed Adelaide furious ly. Of course it was her fault. Such foolishness. And sentimentality. And he had been weak enough to fall for it. Yet, as he cooled a bit, he was glad that Jane had showed her re sentment. It was in keeping with his conception of her. Her innocence i Towne, tiding like mad along the Virginia roads. had flamed against such sophistica tion. There might, too, be a hint of jealousy. Women were like that. Jealous. As they whirled through Washing ton, Briggs voiced his fears. “If we meet a cop it will be all up with us, Mr. Towne.” “Take a chance, Briggs. Give her more gas. We’ve got to get there.” With all their speed, however, it was four o’clock when they reached Sherwood. Towne was still in the clothes he had worn on the links. He had not eaten since breakfast. He felt the strain. He stormed up the terrace, where once he had climbed in the snow. He rang the bell. It whirred and whirred again in the silence. The house was empty. It was on the way home that Jane had said to Ba.dy: “I feel like a selfish pig.” “Why, my dear?” “To take your precious prize be fore it is cold. It doesn’t seem ndiL” Tt isn’t a question of right or 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 havd 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, “I 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 a swift caress. “You’re a dar ling—” and after a 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, Baldy went at once to the garage. “I’ll answer that letter, and put in a good after noon Iqoking 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 a 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. It was aromatic with the warm scent of the pines, and there was a 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 a great thankfulness. She was, indeed, at the moment, steeped in divine content. Here was the place where she belonged. She had a sense of blissful escape. Merrymaid came down the path, her tail a plume. The kitten fol lowed. A bronze butterfly floated 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 a pair of miniature lions— their paws in front of them, sleepy eyed but alert for more butterflies, or for Jane’s 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 vis ta of the pine grove, his eye had been caught by a 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 a man to explain. Without seeming a—cad—” “There isn’t anything to explain.” “But there is. I have made you unhappy, and I’m sorry.” She shook her head, and spoke thoughtfully. “I think I am—happy. Mr. Towne, your world isn’t my world. I like simple things and pleasant things, and honest things. And I like a 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 a lot. But I’ve nev er wanted to marry anyone but you. I can promise you my future.” “I’m sorry. But even if last night had never been—I think I should have—given you up. I had begun to feel that I didn’t love you. That out there in Chicago you swent me off my feet. Mr. Towne, I an sor ry. And I am grateful. For all your kindness—” She flushed and went on, “You know, of urse, that I shan’t be happy until—I don’t owe you anything ...” He laid his hand on hers. “I wish you wouldn’t speak of it. It was nothing.” “It was a great deal.” He looked down at her, s’ender and young and infinitely desirable. “You needn’t think I am going to let you go,” he said. “I’m afraid—you must—” He flamed suddenly. “I’m more of a 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 I, but it’s only a game.” He looked tired and old. “I’ll go abroad tomorrow. When I come back, perhaps you’ll change your mind.” “I 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 he could not. Her dreams had come back to her—of Galahad—of Robin Hood the world of romance had again flung wide its gates After Towne had gone she sat for a long time thinking it over. She blamed herself. She had broken her promise. Yet, he, too, had bro ken a promise. She finished mending the stock ings, and rolled them into compact balls. The little cats were asleep— the shadows were stretched out and the sun slanted through the pines. She had dinner to get, for her re turn had been unexpected, and So phy had not been notified. She might have brought to the thought of her tasks some faint feel ing of regret. But she had none. She was glad to go in—to make an omelette—and cream the potatoes— and have hot biscuits and berries— an£ honey. ... Planning Ums, competently, she raised her eyes—to see coming along the path the two boys who had of late been Evans’ close com panions. She spoke to them as they reached her. “Can’t you stay a minute? I’ll make you some lem onade.” They stopped and looked at her in a way that startled her. “We can’t,” Arthur said “we’re going over to the Follettes. We thought we might help.” She stared at them. “Help? What do you mean?” Sandy gasped. “Oh, didn’t you know? Mrs. Follette died this morn ing .” Evans had found his mother at noon, lying on the couch at the foot of her bed. He had stayed at home in the morning to help her, and at ten o’clock she had gone up-stairs to rest a bit before lunch. Old Mary had called her, and she had not answered. So Evans had entered her room to find that she had slipped away peacefully from the world in which she exaggerated her own im portance. It would go on without her. She had not been neighborly but the neighbors would all come and sympathize with her son. And they would miss her, because she had added to the community some measure of stateliness, which they admired even as they resented it. Evans had tried to get Baldy on the telephone, but could not. Jane was at Grass Hills. He would call up at long distance later. There was no reason why he should spoil for them this day of days. So he had done the things that had to he done in the shadowed house. fir. Hallam came, and oth ers. Evans saw them and they went away. He moved in a dream. He had no one to share intimately his sorrow—no sister, no brother, no one, except his little dog. who trailed after him, wistful-eyed, and with limping steps. The full force nf the thing that had happened did not come to him at once. He had a feeling that at any moment his mother might sweep in from the out-of-doors, in her white linen and flat black hat, and sit at the head of the table, and tell him the news of the morning. He had had no lunch, so old Mary fixed a tray for him. He did not eat, but drank some milk. Then he and Rusty took up their restless wandering through the silent rooms. Old Mary, true to tradition, had drawn all the blinds and shut many of the windows, so that the house was filled with a sort of golden gloom. Evins went into his moth er’s little otfice on the first floor, and sat down at her desk. It was in perfect order, and laid out on the blotter was the writing paper with the golden crest, and the box of golden seals. And We had laughed at her! He remembered with a pang that they would never again laugh together. He was alone. He wondered why such things hap pened. Was all of life as sinister as this? Must one always find trag edy at every turn of the road? He had lost his youth, had lost Jane. And now his mother. Was every thing to be taken away? Would there be nothing left but strength to en dure? Well, God helping him, he would endure to the end He closed the desk gently and went out into the darkened hall. As he followed its length, a door opened at the end. Black against the brightness beyond, he saw the two lads. They came forward with some hesitation, but when they saw his tired face, they forget self consciousness. “We just heard. And we want to help.” Sandy was spokesman. Ar thur was speechless. But he caught hold of Evans’ sleeve and looked up at him. His eyes said what his voice refused. Evans, with his arms across their shoulders, drew the boys to him. “It was good of you to come.” “Miss Barnes said,” again it was Sandy who spoke, “that perhaps we might get some pine from the little grove. That your mother liked it.” “Miss Barnes? Is she back? Does she know?” “We told her. She is coming right over.” Baldy drove Jane in his little car. As she entered she seemed to bring the light in with her. She illumined the house like a torch. She walked swiftly towards Ev ans, and held out her hand. “My dear, I am so sorry.” "I thought you were at Grass Hills.” “We came back unexpectedly.” “I am so glad—you came.” He was having a bad time with his voice. He could not go on Jane spoke to the boys. “Did you ask him about the pine branches? Just those, and roses from the gar den, Evans.” “You always think of things—” “Baldy will take the boys to the grove, and do any errands you may have for him.” She was her calm and competent self—letting him get control of his emotion while she di rected others. Baldy, coming in, wrung Evans’ hand. “The boys and I will get the pine, and Edith Towne is coming out to help. I called her up to tel] her—” Baldy stopped at that. He could not speak here of the glory that encompassed him. He had said, “If death should come to us, Edith? Does anything else count?” And she had said, “Nothing.” And now she was coming and they would pick roses together in the garden. And love and life would minister to a greater mystery When Baldy and the boys had gone, Jane and Evans opened the windows and pulled up the shades. The house was filled with clear light, and was cool in the breeze. When they had finished, Jane said, “That’s all, I think. We can rest a bit. And presently it will be time for dinner.” “I don’t want any dinner.” They were in the library. Out side was an amethyst twilight, with a young moon low in the sky. Evans and JanfLStcQilby the window, look- THE BLUFFTON NEWS, BLUFFTON, OHIO ing ouf, and Jana asked in a hushed voice, “You don^ want any dinner because she won’t be at the other end of the table?’ “Yes.” His face was turned from her. His hands were clinched. His throat was dry. For a moment he wished he were alone that he might weep for his mother. And then Jane said, “Let me sit at the other end of your table.” He turned back to her, and saw her eyes, and what he saw made him reach out blindly for her hand— sympathy, tenderness—a womanly brooding tenderness. “Oh, Evans, Evaps,’’ she said, “I am not going to marry Frederick Towne.” “Why not?” thickly. “I don’t love him.’ “Do you love me, Jane?” She nodded and could not speak. They clung together. He wept and vivas not ashamed of it. And standing there, with his head against her breast, Jane knew that she had found the best. Marriage was not a thing of luxury and soft living, of flaming moments of wild emotion. It was a thing of hard ness shared, of spirit meeting spirit, of dream matching dream. Jane, that afternoon, had caught her breath as she had come into the darkened hall, and had seen Evans standing between those slender lads. So some day, perhaps, in this otd house—his sons! THE END. Pandora Mr. and Mrs. Clar Diller and family returned to their home Sun day evening after spending a long vacation out west. Mis Betty Weber is i working in the Gid Lehman home. Earl Geiger who has been running a bread route for Ra bakery at Findlay resigned his din He is now selling cars. Mr. and Mrs. Rolland enback are the proud parents of I aby boy born to them at their home ht Thursday. Mr. and Mrs. Emil Zimmerman of Zion City, Ill., spent a few days at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hilty Rolland Burkhart won first prize at the Ohio State fair for shearing sheep. He was given a gold medal and a ninety dollar shearing outfit. Mr. Burkhart is an expert when it comes to shearing sheep The meetings of the Inter-Church Prison Association closed at Pandora, Sunday night at the Missionary church. On Monday evening the Wig dom brothers and their sister gave a program They are fine colored sing ers. A full house heard them sing and preach. Lowell Hatfield is the owner of a 1936 Chevrolet sedan. Ambrose Basinger was baptised Sunday at the St. John church. The Grace Mennonite choir will ap pear in a program at the Ebenczer church next Sunday night at 8 o’clock. Albert Hager who has been pastor of the Phoenix, Arizonia Missionary church has accepted a call to Grove land, Ill. Mrs. Frances Davidson who has been employed by C. D. Diller in his insurance office, resigned her position Saturday. She is moving to Leipsic where her husband is engaged in the painting business. A number from Pandora attended the Clover Farm picnic at Riverside park in Findlay on Labor day. Mr. and Mrs. Dale Snavely and son have been spending a few days at Bellvue at the home of Mr. Snavely’s parents. A new’ change has taken place in Pandora’s meat market, Joel Basing er has bought Homer Basinger out. The two have been in business to gether a long time. The meat mar ket in Pandora has no connection with Basinger’s in Bluffton. As before, Paul Basinger and his father will op erate the market. Repubican Caucus At a meeting Friday night of the Republicans of Pandora and Riley township the following were nominat ed: Harry Cahill presided over the towm and Stanley Burkhart over the township: Mayor—I. R. Trostle. Clerk—Glen Schumacher. Treasurer—Lowell Hatfield. Marshall—H. M. Thrapp. Council—Raymond Walters, Wil bert Zuercher, Wilmer Niswander, Adam Bixler, John Berry, Joe Probst. Riley township candidates: Constables Elmer Baumgardner, Leroy Lemley. Township Clerk—Lester Harkness. Trustee—William Carr. School Board—Dr. M. B. Rice, Noah Soldner. Women dress now-a-days that men may admire their good points. Pity the admiration that does not reach above the shoulders. For Vigor and Health— include meat in your menu. Always ready to serve you. Bigler Bros. Fresh and Salt Meats A NATION’S FAVORITE! An intensely d.'omotic story even more breath-taking than the wri ter's "Wild Geese, "The Waters Under the Earth," or "Dark Dawn." MARTHA OSTENSO Beaverdam Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hiles and sons Eddie and Jack of Maumee were Saturday visitors of Mr. and Mrs. G. T. Andrews. Miss Katheen Luginbihl of Chicago was a week end visitor of her parents Mr. and Mrs. Harley Lugibihl. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Truax and family of Geneva spent the week end with his mother ,Mrs. Minnif* Truax and other relatives. Mrs Lester Bierly and sons Gary and Jimmie of Lafayette were Friday visitors of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Yant. Mrs. Cathrine Ross and son John spent the week end with relatives at Greenville. Bud Lumbard returned home after visiting relatives the past month at Ft. Wayne. Mr. and Mrs. Faye Fowler and dau ghter Joan spent the last week visit ing relatives at Michigan. Mrs. Wilbur McClure of Dayton visited Tuesday with Mrs. Charles Weaver Eileen Amstutz has returned to Ft. Wayne to resume her studies at the International Business college. Mrs. Emma Barber and Frank Mc Dorman accompanied by Mrs. Cora Kayser of Kendelville, Ind., are visit ing Mrs Sarah Ridenour at Mansfield. Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Yarger of Mun sie, Ind., are visitors of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Yarger and family. Mr. and Mrs. Sam Varvel and dau ghter Mary spent the week end at Hillboro, Ohio. Paul Stratton return ed with them and will attend school here. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bazner and dau ghter Ardella, Mr. and Mrs. Cark THIS U TO LOVE THE AUTHOR: Martha Ostenso, fixed star in the Ameri can writing firmament, enjoys a world-wide prestige for her forceful, moving stories of people you might easily know. THE STORY: PROLOGUE TO LOVE is the story of lovely Autumn Dean, whose family history seems destined to keep her from the man she loves. How she shapes that destiny to her own ends makes one of Miss Ostenso’s greatest serials. THE SETTING: The mountains of British Columbia where untamed beauty in its natural setting provides a fitting background for the powerful human drama which develops. FOLLOW IT SERIALLY Begins In Bluffton News Next Week American Boy American Girl Christian Herald Home Arts-Needlecraft Household Magazine McCall's Magazine ... Modem Romances ... Modern Screen Open Road (Boys).... Pathfinder (Weekly) .. Parents' Magazine ... Screen Book Silver Screen Sports Afield True Confessions .... Woman's World NEWSPAPER e allow (our lo six copies nf magazines Hitchcock, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hitch cock all of Chicago, were week end visitors of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Arnod. Miss Louise Mottr of Toledo spen the week end with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Marquart. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Amstutz, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Yant spent Thursday at Castalia. Mr. and Mrs. Lansil Edgecomb of Pennville, Ind., spent Saturday with Mrs. Jim Edgecomb. Mrs. Mat Vegel and daughters Gladys and Edna. Mrs. Wm. Speaker and Mrs. Minnie Linkhart of Belmore were Monday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Lervy Fett and family. Jeanette and Ronald Ludwig spent the past week with Mr. and Mrs. Tom Ludwig at Lafayette. Miss Madeline Smith of Findlay ar rived to resume her duties as teach er in the high school. Mr. and Mrs. Grant Barber re turned after a weeks vacation in North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Clair Younkman and famliy of West Unity were Monday visitors of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Younk man. Whether you live in town or in the country here's a combination offer please your reading tastes ... our paper and your favorite magazin at really huge savings. Make your selection and send us the coupon no FINE PICK 2 FROM THIS GROUP Mo. Mo. Mo. Mo. MAGAZINES FILL arrive. Findlay Stove and Furnace Repair Co. We repair cook stoves, heating stoves, heatrolas, and all makes of furnaces. We carry a complete line of new pa^rts for every type of stove. Send card or phone for free estimates. 1301 Washington Ave. Findlay, Ohio Phone 2076-R FIRE BOWLS GRATES CASTINGS HAVE YOUR FURNACE CLEANED NOW YEAR PICK 1 FROM THIS GROUP American Fruit Grower American Poultry Journal... Breeder's Gazette Cloverleaf American Review Country Home Farm Journal-Farmer's Wife. Home Arts-Needlecraft Home Friend Household Magazine Leghorn World Mother's Home Life National Livestock Producer. Pathfinder (Weekly) ... .26 Is Plymouth Rock Monthly.... Poultry Tribune Successful Farming Woman's World ip list of magazines after checking ones and enclose with coupon. Gentlemen: I enclose S Country" otter which includes paper and the magazines chec Post Office State PAGE SEVEN Mr. and Mrs. Ami Nonnamaker and Glen Nonnamaker spent Monday afternoon at the Howard Nonna maker home at Hassen. Jackie Koontz was felled to the ground by a stroke of lightning, Monday morning. He was burned about the body in numerous places. Dr. Steiner rendered first aid at the A. J. Nonnamaker and Anna Koontz home. School children are starting in to the schools for another term on Tuesday morning. Union prayer services at Olive Branch Thursday evening. Mrs. N. B. Steinman of Bluffton and Mrs. Anna Koontz and Kaye Nonnamaker spent Sunday afternoon at the Thomas Bell home at Owls berg. Mr. and Mrs. Terry Bell and two children of West Jefferson were evening callers at the Bell home. W. C. Klingler, Gladys and Dorotha Klingler and Jimmy Scott motored to West Jefferson, Sunday and visit ed at the Russell Stratton home. They were accompanied home by Mrs. Klingler and Jean Anne who had spent the week in the Stratton home. Frank Dray was taken to the hospital in Findlay, Friday evening. He has been seriously ill since Wed- nesday of last week. His many friends hope for his speedy recovery. Gene Bish of Columbus spent Sun day at the home of ins parents, Mr. and Mrs. Evered Bish. Celebrating the birthday anniver sary of Mrs. Emaline Nonnamaker Friday evening a picnic supper was enjoyed on the creek bank at the Shoemaker farm. Those enjoying the occasion were: Mrs. Nonna maker, Mr. and Mrs. London Bas inger, Janet and Gareth Basinger, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Stauffer, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Nonnamaker, Kaye and Roderick and Robert Koontz. Rev. Hilard Camp has been re turned to the Rawson charge by the U. B. Annual Conference which was in session at Bowling Green last week. Thomas Koontz was returned to Walbridge. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cherry of Findlay were Sunday visitors at the J. R. Fisher home. Mrs. Lida Gallant is a patient in the University hospital in Columbus. “Please send $460 dollars at once the school is bankrupt and each stu dent has to pay double tuition. Kindly make check out to me. Your son, Bob, Jr.” FOUR COUPON—MAIL TODAY want your "T s subscription