Farmers' champion. (Elgin, Okla.) 1912-1922, 1912-12-19

.Asl-ty she wore no TuU
bers. It 10 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 mur-
INJURED, glancing about the gloomy, un-
kept grounds, "and am the last OF
the Fenways."
III you were not It would &c 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 impsrvious
to cold and hunger!"
Miss Fanellas lips trembled a. she
unlocked the great front door-upon
no condition did she ever leave or
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,
'and-no one has remembered II!
Not one of your old friends! You
are alone"
"Of course, I am alone" spoke the
Fenway pride complacently. who 10
there in Whalen that l care for? All
the old families with whom we asso
ciated are gone. It 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 Traversl"
"A common farmer!"
Miss Fanella could almost believe
she heard real voice In the old hall
with all the Fenway pride and scorn
! In 1t, a voice alarmingly like her state
ly mothers.
1T has been settled these fifteen
years." she said, picking up the little
lamp wearlly Why must II be gone
over again every Christmasf'
Through the great cold rooms the
light moved dimly. until she entered
what had been the buffers pantry In
the old regime, Here a 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 derisively. Yet toe
aristocratic to associate with ordi
nary mortals!"
From her worn leather bag she
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 m
to Japan this winter, and help me
with the children? There will be nc
one in our party but ourselves. Plean&
let me know by the first OF January.
There followed a page of details
The letter was signed by an old schoo
friend now the wife of a successfu
fnancier
Miss Fanella's hand trembled, hsl
fsce was drawn and white.
"A nurse maid." she moaned a
last bitterly. IA common nurse maid
She put It kindly. and It IL kind O
her to think of me In my destitution
but that Is what II means. Yet. ism
It better than cold and loneliness ant
starvation? I'm tired of being dif
ferent from other people. I'll try be
ing as common a. the commonest To-
WHILE"
Suddenly the great bell peale,
through the resOundine old rooms
She lifted the little lamp in wonder
ment and threaded her way agail
through the Icy gloom. No trades
people called at the house. and cer
tainly not at the big front door! An,
generations Of superiority had taush
the neighbors the futility Of callinl
at the Fenway portals.
| Nelson Travers stood In the porch
the big white flakes heapsd upon hi
broad shoulders.