Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1919-03-13
Claudia -
Substitute

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The last day OF the old year seemed
20 be weeping Its departure. ~
ClandIa made her WY out Of the
gloomy station and looked anxiously
from beneath her umbrella for q
norfb-bound car.
II would have been nicer for Aunt
"a have sent the car 20 meet her. she
solii"quIzed, than TO have taken her
own suggestion that the trolley would
save trouble. Ensconced In the back
sent, Claudia tried to recall long
past visit at this same cunts home.
She had been a child then. and the
recollection was Of exaggerated gran
deur. Probably the white marble.
silken curtain memories. were not 10
fine as they had seemed.
The house was one Of solid block.
Claudia remembered. their shining pil.
lars and plate glass windows. all OF.
actiy alike. 1t had been q brief
faIryland to her, the magic buttons
which instantly Hooded the wainscot-
Cd rooms with light. the luxurious
depths of great chairs.
Claudia's life had been Of simple
sameness. how rarely simple she could
not appreciate. There were the same
sweet smelling roses peeping over the
treilis at her own bedroom window
each summer. the continued stiffness
and restfulness Of the wide-spreading
garden. Claudia's parents had gone
so long ago that grandmother In her
lavenders seemed always to have been
a part Of the picture. When grand
mother was vaguely perplexsd by the
realization that their small income had
vanished. Claudia had taken her place
as teacher In the village school.
Regularly she waved good-by to
grandmother each morning. and start.
ed upon her journey to the hilltop
whore the school building stood.
ClnudIa had expected to spend the be-
ginning Of the coming year like ali
others. when Aunt Chalmers letter Of
invitation opened q vista Of promise.
Don't count upon me-" Claudia
wrote In reply, but IL can and sub
stiiute TO teach for me. I'll Just run
into the city New Years eve"
And she had found the substitute.
"Clen court" called the conductor.
Claudia alighted and passed down BE-
fore the impressive block OF white
houses. The heavy rain had turned
daylight to dusk.
Claudia went up the steps Of what
appeared to be No. 70, but no one was
forthcoming to answer her ring. More
over, drawn blinds and an cir OF In
ner silence bet0kened desertion. Pug
zled. she passed farther down the line
to what again appeared 20 be No. 70.
This time her welcome was assured.
A white-aproned maid opened the
door Immediately, requested Claudia
to 60 at once to her room.
tits the side room" the gsrl ex-
planned. "You win find everything
ready there"
She had barely removed her hat
when a voice called enormously. and
the voice becoming persistent In
Its wordless sound, she went ut once
into the wide front chamber.
A mans face looked pleadingly back
at her from the rumpled pillows of a
bed.
THANK the Lord !" he exclaimed fe-
verishly. you've c0meT without
awaitlng q reply he hurried on: Il
think they've been phoning for q nurse
all day. Because Of this epidemic Dot
one ls IN be found. And because of
the fear Of tiny housekeeper de-
parted this morning. Marie stayed
long enough IN let you In. You'll and
her zone, too. no doubt, when you no
downstairs. Can you get In some one
10 hein your nurse, I know, cannot
be expected to do everything"
A sudden smile flashed across the
sick mans face. This is where a
wife would be an advantage. Wives
don't desert a fellow when he's sick,
do they? YOU" he looked up az
Claudia In quick alarm-"you won't
leave me. will you. nurse. until
NO" she answered quietly. II win
stay with you as long-as you need
me-"
'Thanks." breathed the man; he lay
back YEARLY.
In the fire-lighted room Of the silent
house again she smiled as she slipped
the white apron about her waist and
picked up the hot-water bottle. II
had after all been her Aunf's house
from which she had turned away. She
was not expected there. And II there
was this need OF her presence at No.
7s, she would remain. and be equal 10
that need.
At midnight. the man with the visit.
full eyes and the grateful smile slept
comfortably upon his smooth, cool Pill
low. Claudia as she went into the un.
familiar. deserted kitchen hummed a
hymn-tune and heated his broth. And
as the bells Of the city announced the
new years birth. she wondered, smil.
Ing II Its adventurous coming might
not signal change In the routine OF
her life.
Already the simple regularity seem
led n thing long past.
N'Narse." called the man. and shs
SWIFTLY assembled the stairs.
Vn"n Mrs. Chalmers returned later
from ) two weeks visit. she was aston
ishejt :" hear the voice Of her niece
over She telephone.
lave no time for q visit" said
ClPudin because have been acting
as narse to man who II now Ieav.
inG &C. cooperate In the country. He
Is g''ng with me TO grandma's."
:" urSe" gasped Mrs. Chalmers.
"A = aSing strange man back with
yor 20 the country"
YES" answered Claudia. "I am 10
Ing 70 iuarry him there"