The Press., 1919-01-30
Broken Links
 -a
  By A. w. PEACH

Copyright 1918: by Mcclure Newspaper
 Svudicatel
 Miss Copeland paused on her way down the duskv corridor and listenet! --there wHS no doubt in her mind that her suspicious of tue past week were well founded Thirteen years of city ife-most of it spent in the hoar,lin" house which had been her only home had not hardened nor driven away the deep. maternal tenderness which had gone out to many a waif who hHd drifted into the house.
 She knew that in that room girl was crying-weeping in the low Sur dued, silent way that Is ever signit cant of breaking OF hOmesick heArI
 She went on to the door of hc' room, and then paused again. Sl'' remembered the shy, refined. girliSh woman. who with her young husband had come to the room early in th~ week. Something was wrong, greatly wrong: and quietly Miss Copeland turned back ready 10 meet the inSOl- ent word, the dumb. impassive face of one who welcomes no kindly lnterfer ence.
 She knocked softly, but heard no answer; then she opened the door.
 She saw the slight form of girl stretched on the bed. her dark hair In diSarray, her eyes covered with slim hanGs. her shoulders heaving.
 My dear. may help you in some way?" Miss Copeland asked gently. q am simply an old maid living i'll the house when am not a business woman. I wish I could help you" the older woman said, d bit eagerly. for the beauty of the girl, her evident re- finement, and her grief. appealed to her.
 'Thank you-but you cannot help me. I am afraid-and l must be tWave." The girl sat up suddenly, brushing her dark hair into place. But when Norman-he is nay hus- band-is away, l have my blues out. He is trying so hard. and father has been so-so. terribly unkind '" The tears seemed again to be coming.
 Miss Copeland spoke hastily. "NoW suppose you tell me about ir. I am in charge of a number of girls In a great Office-almOSt q mother cOnfeS sor. See if I can't help in some way. will yOu?"
 The dark eyes were wistfuI. q I have wanted one so nlucll--t0 talk to-"
 Then make believe am your mother; you see, am an old maid but love children. You see--l have suffered a little. l understand, &" tell me. My name is Della Copeland"
 The girl clasped her hands tensely for q moment. then the tight fingers relaxed Its simple-iT seems S" anyway. You see Nolanan and l learned toto love each other. Fn- ther was angry. You see Norman worked in one of fathers mills. He said I was too young-I know 1 am, but we loved each other..* and the years don't count, do they"
 "No my dear, love Knows no years" Miss Copeland saIswered faintly.
 q told father 1 would have more years to be happy with Norman. But he--he was stern, and harsh. and un kind. Then we learned he was plan hing to send Norman away-to South Africa. We've simply couldn't stand that. l wanted Norman to mar ry me- right away; he wouldn't with out fathers consent, but father wouldn't even see him. Then he told me he was going to send me away. I told him I would not go"-the dark eyes began to gleam, and the listener guessed that the fathers spirit was in his child-''that 1 would marry Nor man. He told me I did not dare. I did"
 The girl looked wearily toward the window. She went on, a bit more qhietly:
 "We were married. Father had Norman discharged. He refused to see me. did not beg, nor shall l, though I know he loves me. The worst is, everywhere Norman goes for work in his special line fathers intlu, ence stops him from securing it. Nor man-oh, he has been so brave. so kind and so accomplishing. He is trained in one kind of work. but he's trying to do what he can. and it's hard now"
 ,."Have you asked your father to forgive yOu?' Miss Copeland asked hesitatingly.
 The girls slight form stiffened and the watcher saw the pride of race stern on her features. "Never! shall never do that! He must ask us to return!''
 Miss Copeland pondered n minute. her hopes sinking us she thought.
 Twill you tell me your name" she queried.
 ''Why. l should have told you. Pm proud of It, Miss Copeland-Mrs. Nor man Barker. My own name is Laurel Jeffery-father owns the Wellston mills"
 A long silence fell between them. It was broken by steps that approach ing slowly, quckened as they neared the door. In came a tall, good-lOok- ing young man. whose gray eyes could not brighten the shadows beneath them.
 He was introduced to Miss Copeland by proud wife. Taking advantage of her first opportunity Miss Cope land S}fDOed ont and hllrried m hoe.