The Holly chieftain., 1912-12-20

6 fhAa& shoes leaked ana
S2Slr she wore no rub
. bers. 1t Ii small
wonder that the storm seemed merci-
less and cold. But when she turned
In at the big stone gateway, her
shoulders Strengthened proudly.
THE old Fenway place." she muir
INJURED. glancing about the gloomy. un-
kept grounds. land ! am the last Of
the Fenways."
III you were not II would 20 hard
with them." interjected that other half
Of Miss Fenway's nature that was
always ridiculing her Fenway pride.
"Unless." with malicious emphasis,
'they chanced to be also impervious
TO cold and bunger!"
Miss Fanella's lips trembled a. she
unlocked the great front door-upon
no condition did she ever leave or
enter the house by any Of its other
numerous entrances.
She lighted the small oil lamps that
stood on the marble top of the hall
buffet. placed her coat and hat on the
carved rack, and peered closely into
the great mirror.
Tomorrow Is Christmas, and your
birthday" she whispered accusingly,
1'and-no one has remembered It!
Not one OF your 0ld friends! You
are alone"
! "Of course. am Alone" spoke the
Fenway pride complacently. who is
there in Whalen that care for! All
the old families with whom we asso-
ciated are gone. 1t Is my misfortune
that am left alone In the old house"
why need you be alone? There
are people all about you. common
people to be sure, but kindly and good.
And there sis-Nelson Travers!"
"A common farmer!"
Z Miss Fanella could almost believe
she heard real voice In the old hall
with all the Fenway pride and scorn
in 1t, voice alarmingly like her state
ly mothers.
'It has been settled these fifteen
years." she said, picking up the little
lamp wearily. "Why must 1t be gone
over again every Christmas?"
Through the gre,.t cold rooms the
light moved dimly. until she entered
what had been the buffers pantry in
the old regime. Here small stove
diffused half-hearted sort Of warmth,
and little table and leather chair
were drawn close.
Here dwelleth the last Of the Fen
ways" she said derlsively. "Yet too
aristocratic to associate with ordi-
nary mortals!"
hnr hn- -,
drew letter she had found awaiting
her at the postoffice. There were
few persons using such stationery who
still remembered to write to her.
Dear Miss Fenway?" she read.
''are you still alone at the old place?
II 30. why can you not come with me
to Japan this winter. and help me
with the children? There will be no
one in our party but ourselves Please
let me know by the first of January"
There followed page of details.
The letter was signed by an old school
friend now the wife of successful
financier.
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 1t kindly, and 1t is kind Of
her to think Of me in my destitution,
but that is what 1t means. Yet, isn't
It better than cold and loneliness and
starvation? I'm tired of being diff
ferent from other people. I'll try be-
ing as common as the commonest for
q WHILE"
Suddenly the great bell pealed
through the resounding old rooms.
She lifted the little lamp In wonder
ment 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
at the Fenway portals.
Nelson Travers stood in the porch,
the big white fakes heaped upon his
broad shoulders.