The Holly chieftain., 1912-12-20

uoy. AouoIfoW ID your DirtnQay, !
believe. and Christmas. too VIII you
come for a ride with met"
Miss Fanella gasped. az we'll she
might This. after fifteen years of ST.
lence! Had it taken him SO long to
recover from the repulse OF old
Madam Fenway?
What will the nsighbors think!"
she gasped
you are thirty-six tomorrow. are
you not. Fanella? Isn't that old
enough to act a. you please regard
less OF the neighbon?"
4 suppose 1t il. Nelson" she ad-
mitted with . smile. But wheref"
will you trust me ibis once. Fanel-
laf promise TO bring you back
whenever you wish"
4iss Fanella looked into the white
night. Was she dreaming, or could
this unlikely thing really have hap
pened In the dsadening monotony Of
| her life!
What difference did It make, any
way. Henoeforth she would be only
nuSsemaid. She looked hack into
Nelson Travsrs' honest eyes pleading
With her to trust him. About her the
stately old furniture upon which her
pride had fed 20 many years. pleaded
in vain.
"Yes." she said. 'I1l come. do not
know how far shall 60. though"
The man stepped into the old hall
and held her coat. His lips closed
over his displeasure when he felt the
weight of 1t.
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.
I'll be in in a minute" he told
! her. Take on 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
| Il shall be most delighted an.
swered Miss Fanella with smile.
The Fenway pride was mute for once.
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
ever for coming with me. wanted
you to see my home, to understand
Just how simple and unpretentious 1t
is. know am only common farm
err but I've always loved you. Fanel-
la. l cannot endure 1t to see you live
as you do,. alone in that great house.
Won't you let me take care of you,
dear? know l am not good enough
for you. realize what 1t must seem
like to you here, but"
| "It Is comfortable and-beautiful.
Nelson" Her voice broke over the
words. But l do not deserve It. !
was not fair and honest with you
for l 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 a different
answer If 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 fool I've been. Fanella," :"
groaned Travers. holding her close.
Fifteen years! Tell me. when did you
| repent your coldness?"
| Before you had reached the gate"
whispered Fanella, penitently.
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