The Winslow mail., 1912-12-21

"A nurse maid she moaned st
last bitterly, "a common nurse maid
She put it kindly, and it is kind of
her to think of me in my destitution,
but that Is what it means. Yet, isn't
IT better thsn 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
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. Nc trades
people called at the house, and GER
tainly not at the hig front door! And
generations Of superiority had taught
the neighbors the futility of calling
ct the Fenway portals.
Nelson Travers stood in the porch,
the big white fakes heaped upon his
broad shoulders
Good evening, Fanella,'' he said as
II he had parted with fer but yester-
dsy. Tomorrow is your birthday,
believe, and Christmas, too, Will you
come for ride with met"
Miss Fanella gasped, as we'll she
might. This. after fifteen years Of si-
lence! Had it taken him 80 long to
recover from the repulse Of old
Madam Fenway?
''I-vhat will the 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 neighbors?'
II suppose It is, Nelson" she ad
mitted with smile. But where?"
"Will you trust me this once. Fanel
Ia? I promise to bring you back
whenever you wish"
Miss Fanella looked into the white
night. Was she dreaming, or could
this unlikely thing really have hap
pened in the deadening monotony of
her life?
What difference did It make, any
way. Henceforth she would be only
a nursemaid. She looked back into
Nelson Travers' honest eyes pleading
with her to trust him. About her the
stately old furniture upon which her
pride had fed so many years, pleaded
in vain
YES" she said, 'I'll come. do not
know how far / shall go, though"
The man stepped into the old hall
and held her coat. His lips closed
over his displeasure when he felt the
weight of it.
She did not remember the worn
gloves on the hall table, and only
thought about locking the door when
she saw Travers slip the key into his
deep pocket.
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 when
he drew UP before low, ample house
and lifted her carefully to the door
stone.
ell be in in Q minute" he told
her. Take off your wraps and get
warm
Miss Fanella, her heart beating
high at her own audacity, opened the
broad door
The wide, low rooms within opened
pleasantly together. lighted by can.
dies on the mantels, and by softly
shaded lamps.
How pleasant" said Miss Fsanella
aloud, going to the open fire, and
thinking of her little stove in the but,
ler's pantry.
II have dreamed OF you sitting
here,' said Travers quietly, coming to
her. And now I am going to ask you
TO eat supper with me-a Christmas
/ supper, you know"
II shall be most delighted an.
swered Miss Fanella with smile
The Fenway pride was mute for once,
It was a quiet supper. Fanella poured
the tea, conscious that her compan.
IONS eyes were following her, and she
enjoyed herself with fierce, defiant
sort of enjoyment.
"Fanella," said the man, leading her
back to the fire, II will bless you for.
you to see my home, to understand
just how simple and unpretentious il
Is. know I am only common farm
er.' but I've always loved you, Fanel
Ia. / cannot endure It to see you live
az you do, alone in that great house
Won't you let me take care of you
dear? I know I am not good enough
for you. ! realize what It must seer
like to You here, but
"It is comfortable and-beautiful
Nelson Her voice broke over the
words. But do not deserve it. J
was not fair and honest with you
for I cared, always. / let my pride
and my family interfere!
oh" che cried, shaken by sudden
fierce sobs, why did you never come
back? They always do in stories-l
could not believe it was all over wher
you went awayl"
DO you mean," said Travers, "that
YOU would have given me a different
anawar had noroa haah Ea1e1l. -