The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-31
THE EVENING STORY
The Night Before New Years.
(By Temple Bailey.)

The Night Before New Years.
(By Temple Bailey.)
was there any place where she
could be quiet?
Nell went to the door and looked
out. AS far as her eyes could see there
the purple shadows of the coming
night shone few lights. like stars.
Each light represented a farmhouse,
and each house, like the one in which
Nell was staying. was full of happy,
And Nell was not happy. she
wanted quiet Like a hunted animal
she looked this way and that for
some place where she might be
alone. On the crest of hill. far up
the road. stood the schoolhouse where
she taught. It was closed now and
dark.
'.I will go there" Nell said to her.
self. and just then a voice behind her
called: Supper is ready
Il don't want any, Nell said wear
ily. I'm going out for a little while.
Mrs. McGregor. I'll be back by ten"
The snow began to fall softly as
she left the house. and by the time
she reached the school it was begin
ming to drift against the fences.
There was no fire within, but Nell
began to steal into the room. she drew
the big chair close to the hearth and
in the peaceful loneliness gave her
self up to her thoughts.
But she was not to remain in peace
long. There was a sound of sleigh
bells without, heavy steps on the
threshold. and she looked up to see
the burly form of a young farmer in
the doorway.
s'Wen, well,'' he said, "I saw the
light and came in. Who would have
dreamed that you would be here
alone?"
Nell smiled YEARLY. ST came to be
quiet"
'"Then you don't want me-
"Oh, sit down. she said, somewhat
ungraciously.
But he stood by the fireplace and
whats the matter?" he asked alb
ruptly.
Nothing" family.
Don't tell me that; 1 know bet
ter
"If I tell you" she asked. 'you
mustn't give me any advice. I have
had so much advice. I hate it,"
He sat down beside her "Tell
ahead" he said, land I'll promise to
listen like the Sphinx
you see it is this way" she said;
my uncle in town is rich. He is a
misery old man. and he made me
miserable when I lived with him.
I'm not going to tell you about my
childhood, how little love there was
in it. and how I was starved spirit
ually and mentally, as we'll as phys
ically. When I grew old enough to
understand that he could give me
things, and had not because he wanted
to save and save, left him and came
here to teach. and now he has writ
ten to me to come back, and don't
want to go, vet he is sick and old
and alone I told Mrs. McGregor, and
she tells me to stay here. Then all
the family talked about it and every
body advised. They mean well-but
I couldn't stand it, II don't want to
go, but I must"
He started to say something, then
checked himself.
"I'd like to break that promise"
he said.
.No, you mustn't" she said firmly.
you've all been so good to me here
and If you she caught her breath,
"join the others in asking me to stay,
it will make it so hard for me to 60"
HE doesn't deserve much at your
hands," the man stated.
81 know" she said YEARLY, but
tomorrow I begin new year. and I
don't want to begin it wrong. yet I
don't know the right"
81 don't believe much in saying
things the young farmer remarked;
"my policy is to do them. And now,
are you going to stay here in this is
showing and it is late"
81 suppose I ought to co. she
said doubtfully. "but it is SO lovely
here in the silence
Look here he said suddenly,
don't you keep your tea things in that
little cupboard? I have got to go to
town. and when I come back I'll bring
something for a little supper, and we
can watch the old year out. Then
I'll take you home in the sleigh"
How Ssn good t. of g g1n" she held havs 9pt
bothered me with advice, and you are
doing something to make me com
Portable. That is just like you, Jack
Norton
He blushed little, this big kindly
man, who looked upon the little
woman from the city as being from
another sphere; she was SO dainty, so
different from the girls in his own
village.
Nell knew what she was doing
when she told him not to ask her to
stay; she had known for long time
of the question that trembled on his
lips. She knew he wanted to marry
her, as a woman knows who is wise
in the ways of men,
She thought of the life she might
lead if. she married him. life in the
big farmhouse. sunshiny in SUNNI er
and secure in winter. Then she
thought of her life with her uncle in
q dark apartment in the streets of
the city She knew that, in a way, it
was a false idea of duty that would
take her back. Yet she had to go,
some force that was in her seemed
impelling her.
The wind blew in great blasts
against the little house, the snow had
drifted up to the window sills. and
white lines of it pointed across the
window pane like ghostly fingers.
Dragging footsteps came up the path.
Nell listened. It was not Jack Nor
ton; these were the steps of an old
man. From the door a voice quavered,
"Are you there, Nell?"
ssUncle,' she said. fearfully. "how
did you come here?"
at met a young man down the
road" he said. st wanted him to
guide me to the McGregors. He told