Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-12-17
The Daily
Short Story
NELL'S LETTER.
By Jack Lawton.

it's full of good news. l declare
the girls spirit seems to be over
flowing in joyousness." She paus-
ed. as the man dropped into an OPP
posite chair. His kind eyes were
bent upon her. What a man you
are, dear" the old lady exclaimed,
rejoicing always with me in Nells
welfare. when you might instead
know bitterness. Sometimes the
gentle voice faltered, Il think your
love for my daughter equals that Of
her r-self-effacing, devoted.
And | can never lose the old regret
that you are not my son-Jed."
THE best man won, mother" he
said. for quite naturally he had
adopted the name.
The old lady unfolded a closely
written letter.
Their apartment in New York
must be a luxurious place" she
said; read for yourself, Jed. Nell
describes it as a sort of background
to her wonderfully appointed way
of living-her description OF places
and people runs like an enchanted
tale. Only one on the inside of
things could write so graphically"
Nelrs mother sighed as the man
took the letter.
Nell says that she must still
postpone her home visit. Her hus-
band is absorbed in business and
cannot bear the thought of being
separated from her, so, like a duti-
full wife, Nell remains. If my health
would permit, I would go to her
but that is now impossible"
BE patient a little longer" he
said, she is sure to come home
soon. Strange how her father was
prejudfced against Lester Williams
! in fact, how ready we all were TO
believe him other than he pretend
ed
When NelI's father refused con-
sent to his daughters marriage
with a man of whom he knew moth
ing-NeII had hurled defiance and
1 hidden her mother goodbye.
During her fathers last days,
( though his daughter was separated
from him, he was glad to know that
his fears were unfounded, that as
a husband Lester Williams had
proven himself all that could be de-
sired So Jed, IN his greater love,
found contentment IL that know
edge.
He was glad to make less lonely
the hours OF the invalid mother.
Together they read, and delighted
in the girls glowing descriptions
Of her New York life. Often in q
scented letter came a cheCk-not
that the mother was in need Of
checks-just a bit Of Neli's pin
money" And then, one evening, as
Jed sat III his chcair on one side Of
the fire, and the happy, anticipating
mother in a1Other-le found that
she had apparently fallen asleep,
naturally-Du it was a sleep from
which even Nelps voice could never
awaken her.
Jed frantically tried to reach Les
ter Williams by telegraph, but
there was some misunderstanding
and he could not be found; so, in
his eagerness to soften the blow,
Jed himself undertook the journey
to the distant city
If Nell's husband were away the
sad news might be less hard to hear
from the lips of friend He
thought as he FASTENED down an I'M
Pretentious street past old houses,
that he must have mistaken the ad-
dress. But here was undeniably
No SIS.
A woman who opened the door
hesitated at his inquiry for Mrs.
Lester Williams" Then her face
frightened
Mrs. Nell Williams you proba-
bly, mean" she said, and directed
Jed up a shabby stair. Room 10"
she added, and, perpleXed by the
pervading dinginess, Jed obeyed.
It was Nell herself who actually
opened the door, a wraith-like Nell,
in a frOck as unpretenti0us as her
surroundings.
jed" she cried, just that; and
Jed" again.
Then, in a strangely natural man
ner, the little white Nell was fold
ed in Jed's arms, while he gave her
the message Of his visit.
After a while she looked up at
! him.
She was happy?" Nell demand
ed. Mother was happy?"
Gently Jed released her, and gave
the assurance.
know, you see, if all my deceit and
lying had gone for naught. / could
not break their hearts, could -"
she cried fiercely. and pride would
not let me creep back, owning my
self in the wrong. | was never mar
riad to Lester Williams. | have
never known that comforting care
of which ! wrote
when Lester Williams came to
meet me upon the night we were to
be married, he was intoxicated, a
pitiable, contemplate creature I
have not seen him since When my
supply Of money was exhausted, I
showed letters 10 mother that | had
wr.tten-with little change-to an
editor. He has been pleased 10 sell
them as the Letters OF a Happy
Wife Thus I have managed to
live. my consolation the thought
that l have spared my dear ones
all that l knew the exposure would
mean to them"
And as the woman he loved
white-faced, finished her confession,
with all the pent-up tenderness Of
years, Jed gathered her into his
arms
We viii go home now. Nell" he
said.
is rather curious that really healthy
persons so rarely resemble The
picture OF health p