Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1912-12-20
CANTON, SOUTH DAKOTA, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1912

hnancier.
Miss Fanella's hand trembled. hAr
eaoe was drawn and white
IA nurse maid" abe moaned Mt
hast bitterly, "a common nurse maid!
She put It kindly, n 1t Is kin Of
her to think OF me in my restitution.
but that is what It a Yet. isn't
It better than cold and loneliness and
starvation? I'm tired of being diff
ferent from other people. IN try be-
ing as common az the commonest for
. while"
through the resoundtng 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
tatnty not at the big front door! And
generations Of superiority had taught
the neighbors the futility OF calling
1t the Fenway portals.
Nelson TraverB stood In the porch.
the big white fakes heaped upon his
broad shoulders.
Good evening, FanellR," he said as
II he had parted with her but yester-
day. Tomorrow is your birthday, I
believe, and Christmas, too. Will you
come for q ride with NET"
Miss Fanella gasped. 8 well she
might. This, after fifteen years Of 81
lenoe! Had It taken him 30 long to
recover from the repulse of old
Madam Fenwayr
"I-what will the nsdxhbors think r
she gasped.
you are thirty4ix tomorrow, are
you not, Fanella? Isn't that old
enough to act az you please regard
less Of the neighbors?"
II suppose it Is, Nelson" she ad-
mitted with a smile. But where?"
will you trust me this once, Fanel-
la? 1 promise to bring o back
whenever you wish"
Miss Fanella looked into the white
night. Wa she dreaming, or could
this unlikely thing really have hap
pened in the deadening monotony of
her life?
What difference did 1t make. any
way. Henceforth she would be only
q 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, "IIl come. / do not
know how far I 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 I'M
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.
her. Take of 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.
II have dreamed Of you sitting
here" said Travers quietly, coming to
her. And now I am going to ask you
10 eat supper with me-a Christmas
supper, you know"
IT shall be most delighted" an
swered Miss Fanella with q smile.
The Fenway pride was mute for once.
1t was a quiet supper. Fanella poured
the tea, conscious that her compan-
Ions yes were following her. and she
enjoyed herself with q fierce. defiant
sort of enjoyment.
"Fanella," said the man, leading her
back to the fire. ri will bless you for
ever for coming with me. I wanted
you to q my home, to understand
just how simple and unpretentious it
Is. know I am only a common farm
err but rye always loved you, FaneL
Ia. l cannot endure It 10 e o live
Rs you do. alone in that great house.
Won't you let me take care Of you.
dearf / know l am not good enough
for you. / realize what 1t must seem
like to you here, but
TT is comfortable andEbeautifulI
Nelson Her voice broke over the
words. but l DO not deserve 1t. I
was not fair and honest with you
for I cared. always. I 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 yer when
you went away!"
DO yop mean" said Travers. that
you would have given me a different
answer II l had come back, Fane1la Pr
She held out her hands-true Fen
way hands. Don't you know, dear.
that all women are privileged to
change their mindsr I" she asked.
What a fool I've been. Tanalla,"
groaned Travera, holding her close.
Fifteen years! Tell ms, vhan did you
repent our coldness!"