The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1917-08-07
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NORA AND TOM = :.
By EARL BID eILvERs.

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Nora McMurtry had probably never
heard the story OF Ruth and Naomi.
She knew the New Testament fairly
well, aud She could have told that
Adam and Noah we're more or less re-
sponslble for the human race bht all
in all, she delyed very little into the
mysteries OF literature biblical or
otherwise. Tile past had little signih-
cnnce what Nofa cared about was
the present For she was in love with
Tommy lyons.
Tommy was twenty-one and Nora
eighteen. TO look 1T Tommys eye one
would Imagine that he was poet
rather than a plumber; and TO look at
the wealth Of Norah's golden hair was
to gaze upon treasure invaluable.
Tommy was six feet three, and Nora
was five feet two.
Possibly there was in Nora's actions
jL the hint Of the cllngng-vine type
Of RI, but to Tommy it meant only
loyalty There was something about
Morn which called for protection, and
Tommy was perfectly willing to be the
protector so long as he was sure Of
'hls girl" And he felt In his heart
Of hearts that Nora was his forever
to have aud to hold"
They had been waiting for a year
when one nlght IN the early spring
Tommy reached the McMurtry tlat ai-
most an hour before his usual time.
81 didn't think yqdd come 80 soon"
she amounted. "But IlIh glad you did,
anyway. It means another hour to-
gether"
She seated herself at the top Of the
rather riclety steps and looked info
Tommy's eyes e Tommy returned the
took unwaveringly for a moment or
two, and then gazed rather thought
fully down the crowded street.
"Girlie," he asked suddenly. How
would you like to go away from
hereT
"Td die if I had to live anywhere
else" Nora answered instantly. 1--WE,
lived in this town all my life"
The light suddenly went out of
Tommy's eyes.
"Ohw he said "Then it's all off.
What's all orr"
"What l was going to tell you
about"
eWhat was it?p
Tommy shook his head wearlly.
"Why do you like this town sol"
"Why | was born here"
rs that any reason why you couldn't
90 away"
"Go away where?"
"Well. to a farm, for instance; up
In the mountains, with green grass
and COWS and chickens and things
like that'
"Ohe Nora drew back impulslyely.
Tin afraid Of a COW"
Tommy laughed rather shortly.
you're just like any other city GIRL
You don't know what it is to wake up
1T FIVE o'clock In the morning and see
The sun come up over the hllls. You're
afraid Of a COW which wouldn't hurt
even Il kitten, and you don't even
know sthat a duck lays eggs"
There was wistful light in the
depths of Tommy's eyes. He was liv-
ing for the moment his own boyhood.
Il thought you liked 1t here" she
said.
II do like it a little, but that's only
because you are here. Otherwise l.
wouldnt stay another minute.'
"What would you do?'
sFd. 20 back to the country"
"Could you get job up there2'
"Yes."
rs that what you were going to tell
me?"
"Yes?"
"What kind Of job7"
There was something in Nora's
voice which made Tommy suddenly
glad again.
Il got letter from Nick Phillips this
morning" he explained slowly. Nick
says TINT old man Glenwood is looking
for man and his wife to take over
his farm for the summer. It means
sixty dollars mouth and all ex-
penses, and the job has been offered
to me. It's only open to a man and
| his wife. I thought perhaps that ycu
might be willing e 60. But you say
you won't leave the city"
Does it mean we can get mar
ried2" Nora asked softly.
"Yes 1t means just that
For a moment Nora was silent.
Shiin cries Of children playing in the
street came to her; from the next
block sounded the rumble of the street
cars. Just for a few seconds she hesi-
tated, and then her small hand crept
suddenly into Tommy's large one. Had
she been a student Of the Bible She
might have said; 'Entreat me not to
leave thee or to return from follow
ing after thee for whittier thou goesA
will 20: and where thou lodgest, /
WIN lodge; thy people shall be my
( people. ana thy God my God"
But being only Morn McMusiryr with
big love In her heart for the man
beside her, she said simply;
"Tuke the job, Tommy; I'll be the
wife, and we can 90 together"
/ tcopyriaht. 1917. By the Mcclure 4Hyewspa-
per Syndicate)
/ -----------------
Disappointed.
Phllanthropist (who hos just
dropped a penny in the cup)-I imag-