The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-12-20

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 is-Nelson Travers!"
"A common farmer!"
Miss Fanella could almost believe
she heard a real voice in the old hall
with all the Fenway pride and scorn
in it, a voice alar1ningly like her state
ly mothers.
ut has been settled these fifteen
years." she said, picking up the little
lamp wearily. "Why must It be gone
over again every Christmas?"
Through the great cold rooms the
light moved di1nly, until she entered
what had been the buffers pantry in
the old regime. Here small stove
diffused a halfhearted sort Of warmth,
and a little table and leather chair
we're drawn close.
Here dwelleth the last of the Fen
ways" she said derisively. "Yet too
aristocratic to associate with ordi-
nary mortalsI"
From her worn leather bag she
drew a letter she had found awaiting
her at the postofice. There we're
few persons using such stationery who
still remembered to write to her.
Dear Miss FenwayT' she read
ARE you still alone at the old place?
If so, why can you not come with me
to Japan this winter, and help me
with the children? TheNe will be no
one in our party but ourselves. Please
let me know by the first of January"
There followed a page Of details.
The letter was signed by an old school
friend now the wife of a successful
fnancier.
Miss FElnellas hand trembled, her
face was drawn and white.
"A nurse maid" she moaned at
last bitterly, "a common nurse maid!
She pat it kindly, and it is kind of
her to think Of me in my destitution,
but t'nat is what it means. Yet, isn't
It bf .tter than cold and loneliness and
sta walton? I'm tired Of being diff
fer ent from other people. I'll try be-
in as common AS the commonest for
a 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.
Good evening, Fanella," he said as
If he had parted with her but yester-
day. Tomorrow is your birthday, l
believe, and Chris tmas, too. Will you
come for a ride with me?"
Miss Fanella gasped, as well she
might. This, after fifteen years Of ST.
lence! Had it taken him so long to
recover from the Tepulse Of old
Madam Fenway?
"I-what will the neighbors think?"
she gasped
You are thil'ty-six tomorrow, are
you not, Fantala? Isn't that old
enough to act as you please regard
less Of the net yhbors?"
81 suppose it, is, Nelson" she ad-
mitted with smile. "But where"
"Will you trust me this once, Fanel-
Ia? promise to bring you back
whenever you wish"
Miss Fanell'A hooked into the white
night. Was she dreaming, or could
this unlikely thing really have hap
pened in the dead, aning monotony OF
her life?
What diff erence [ I'D it make, any
way. Henceforth st 'e would be only
a nursemaid. She ! uoked back into
Nelson Travers' hone. vt eyes pleading
with her to trust him. About her the
stately old furniture p0n which her
pride had fed so many years, pleaded
IN vain.
"Yes," she aid, 'Ill ONE. DO not
know how far shall go, though"
The man ST epped into the old hall
md held her coat Hi lips closed
'ver his dispE easure whe q ne felt the
weight of it.
She did not remember the worn
cloves on ting hall table. and only