Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1912-12-20

Miss Fanella's hand trembled, her
face was drawn and white.
"A nurse maid" she moaned at |
last bitterly, "a common nurse maid!
She put II kindly, and II IL kind OF
her to think OF me In my restitution,
but that Is what IL means. Yet, isn't
IL better than cold and loneliness and
starvation? I'm tired OF being diff
ferent from other people I'll try be
Ing as common AZ the commonest for
a while"
Suddenly the great bell pealed
through the resounding old rooms,
She lifted the little lamp In wonder
mcnt and threaded her way again
through the Icy gloom. No trades
people called at the house, and GER
tainly not at the big front door! And
generations OF superiority had taught
the neighbors the futility OF calling
ut the Fenway portals.
Nelson Travers stood In tho porch,
the big white fakes heaped upon his
broad shoulders.
Good evening, Fanella," he said AZ
II he had parted with her but yester.
day. Tomorrow il your birthday,
belle We. and Christmas. too. VIII you
come for ride with mep"
Miss Fanella gasped, as well she
might This, after fifteen years OF 81
lence! Had 1t taken him no long to
recover from the repulse OF old
Madam Fenway?
What will tho neighbors think?"
she gasped
You are thirty.six tomorrow, are
YOU not, Fanella? Isn't that old
enough to act as YOU please regard
less of the neghbOrs"
Il suppose It Is. Nelson" she ad'
mitted with smile. "But where"
"Will you trust me this once, Fanel
. la? promise TO bring you back
Z whenever you wish"
Miss Fanella looked into the white
1 night Was she dreaming. or could
Z this unlikely thing really have hap
3 pened in the deadening monotony OF
. her life?
h What difference did It make. any
3 way. Hencelorth she would be only
a nursemald She looked back into
o Nelson Traycrs' honest eyes pleading
n with her to trust him. About her the
I stately old furniture upon which her
T prize had fed so many years, pleaded
In vain.
t YES" she said. IN come. | do not
i know how far shall 30. though"
G The man stepped into the old hall
o and held her coat. His lips closed
over his displcasure when he felt the
4 weight Of it.
She did not remember the worn
J.. gloves Oh the hall cable and only
II thought about locking the door when
she saw Trnyers slip the key into his
e deep pocket.
IL Wrapped in robes, she seemed un
conscious OF the storm. realizing only
the pleasant sensation of companion
ship and warmth.
She was not even surprised wheI
he drew up before Il low, ample house
, and lifted her carefully to the door
i stone.
\ "I'll be In In minute" he tolt
Y her Take of your wraps and &c
4 warm"
y Miss Fanella, her heart beatini
p high ut her own audacity, opened TIN
b broad door
The wide low rooms within opened
Il pleasantly together. lighted by can
n dies on the mantels. and by SOFT!
! shaded lamps.
How pleasant" said Miss Fanelli
y aloud, going to the open fire, ant
thinking OF her little stove in the but
ler's pantry.
Il have dreamed OF you sittin
here" said Travers quietly, coming t
her. And now am going to ask 80
to eat supper with me--a Christina
supper, you know
81 shall be most delighted" al
swered Miss Fanella with smile
The Fenway pride vas mute for once
II was quiet supper. Fanella poure
the tea, conscious that her compal
, IONS eyes were following her. and sh
II enjoyed herself with II fierce, dehai
,, sort OF enjoyment.
"Fanela," said the man, leading he
back to the fire, 81 will bless you 70
ever for coming with me. wante
YOU to see my home. to understan
Just how simple and unpretentious
is. know am only common farr
All err but I've always loved you, Fame
so. la. cannot endure It TO see you liN
Inc as you do, alone In that great hous
e." Won't you let me take care OF yo
ere dear? ] know ! am not good enout
ION for YOU ! realize what II must see
cd like to you here, but"
ut is comfortable and--beautif'
Nelson" Her voice broke over q
eve words. but ! do not deserve 1t.
lall wae not fair and honest with you
orn for | cared, always. ] let my pri'
tie and my family interfere!
oh" she cried. shaken by sudde
cen fierce sobs, why did you never cor
Itlp lu,Lp Th,v alWava 1O I'm stOrles-