Putnam patriot., 1912-12-20

81 Of superiority had tarvb,
a. az a. .eIsnoors the futllity Of calling
d me Fenway portals N''''''i ;
III 1 Ls raYers stood In the porcb
sus Dig white fakes heaped NJ - M ~
broad shoulders. pa us
&. oood evening, Fanella" he said 81.
= ne had parted with her bur este
Jay. Tomorrow is your birtbaav 7
oeileYe, and Christmas. too wuI yo,,
0ome LOT a ride with me?"
Us. --Iss amelia gasped. as ven she
might might This, after fifteen years Of 81.
fence! Had it taken him 81 lone -
,scoVer from the repulse of old
Madam Fenway? '1
what will the nejsbhors .ht.,-..
she gasped 'linA
You are thlrty-slx tororrov 49,
you not Fanella2 Isn't that ola
enough to act as you please regard.
less Of the neighbors?-
suppose It Is, Nelson" she ID
mitted with a smile. But whereof
WIN you trust me this once. Fanel-
laF | promise to bring YOU back
whenever you wish"
Miss Fanella looked into the white
night Was she dreaming. or eould
this unlikely thing really have han.
pened IN the deadening monotony Of
her life? -
what difference did it make. anv.
way. Henceforth she would be onlv
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. I do not
know how far shall go. though"
Inc 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 a low. ample house
and lifted her carefully to the door
stone.
I'll be in in a 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 Fanella
aloud, going to the open fire, and
thinking Of her little stove in the but
ler's pantry.
Il have dreamed OF you sitting
here" said Travers quietly, coming to
her. And now 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.
1t was 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, Il will bless you for
ever for coming with me. / wanted
you to see my home, to understand
just how simple and unpretentious it
is. ! know | am only common farm
err but I've always loved you, Fanel-
la. cannot endure it to see you live
as you do, alone In that great house.
Won't you let me take care OF you,
dear? l know am not good enough
for you. | realize what It must seem
like to you here, but"
at is comfortable and-beautiful,
Nelson" Her voice broke over the
words. But l do not deserve 1t. l
was not fair and honest with you
for | cared, always | let my pride
and my family interfere!
"Oh," she cried, shaken by sudden.
fierce sobs. why did you never come
back? They always do in stories-i
could not believe 1t was all over when
you went away!"
DO you mean," said Travers, that
you would have given me different
answer II / had come back, Fanella?"
She held out her hands-true Fen
way hands. Don't you know, dear.
that all women are privileged to
change their minds? ?" she asked
What a fool I've been, Fanella,
sroaned Travers, holding her close.
Fifteen yearsl Tell me, when did you
repent your coldness7"
Before you had reached the gate.
whispered Fanella, penitently.