Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1919-02-07

| tCopyrlgnt, 1918, by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate)
Miss Copeland paused on her wa,
down the dusky corridor and listene,
there was no doubt in her mind tina
her suspicious of the past week wer,
well founded. Thirteen years of city
life-most Of it spent in the boarding
house which had been her only home
had not hardened nor driven away
| had gone out to many a waif who hat
drifted into the house.
She knew that in that room a gir
was crying-weeping in the low. sub
dued, silent way that is ever signifi
cant of n breaking or homesick heart
She went on to the door of her
room and then paused again. She
remembered the shy. refined, girlish
woman, who with her young husband
had come to the room early In the
week. Something was wrong, greatly
wrong; and quietly Miss Copeland
turned back, ready to meet the insol-
ent word, the dumb, impressive face of
one who welcomes no kindly interfer-
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
hands. her shoulders heavlng.
My dear, may | help you in some
way? Miss Copeland asked gently.
~ am simply an old maid living in
the house when | am not business
woman. I wish could help you" the
older woman said 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. l am afraid-and l must be
brave" The girl sat up suddenly,
brushing her dark hair into place.
"But when Norman-he is my hus-
band-is away, l have my blues out.
He is trying so hard, and father has
been $3.50 terribly unkind!" The
tears seemed again to be coming.
AhiNo Soptlullu SpOht lIuSllly. A>OW
suppose you tell me about it. am
in charge of number of girls in a
great office-almost a mother confess
sor. See if l can't help In some way,
will you?"
The dark eyes were wistful. 81
have no mother l can remember-and
/ have wanted one so much-to talk
to!"
"Then make believe l am your
mother; you see, | am an old maid
but l love children. You see-I have
suffered little. l understand. SO
tell me, My name is Della Copeland"
The girl clasped her hands tensely
for a moment, then the tight fingers
relaxed. ''It's simple-it seems so,
anyway. You see Norman and |
learned toto love each other. Fa-
Their was angry. You see Norman
worked in one of fathers mills. He
said l was too young-I know | am,
but we loved each other, and the
years don't count, do they?'
mo, my dear, love knows no
yNti D Alloo SoPtidiu answered.
family.
II told father l would have more
years to be happy with Norman. But
he-he was stern, and harsh. and I'M
kind Then we learned he was plan
ming 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.
told him l would not go"-the dark
eyes began to CLEAN. and the listener
guessed that the fathers spirit was in
his child-''that l would marry Nor
man. He told me l did not dare. l
did"
The girl looked YEARLY toward the
window. She went on, bit more
quietly:
1--WE were married. Father had
Norman discharged. He refused tc
see me. l did not beg, nor shall l.
though | know he loves me- The
worst is, everywhere Norman goes for
work In his special line fathers inilu
ence stops him from securing 1t. Nor.
man-oh, he has been so brave, Sc
kind and so accomplishing. He is
trained in one kind of work, but he's
trying to do what he can, and it..
hard now"
''Have you asked your father t,
forgive YOU" Miss Copeland asked
heSitatingly.
The girls slight form stffened ant
the watcher saw the pride of rae,
stern on her features. "Neyer!
shall never do that! He must ask III
to return! !"
Miss Copeland pondered minute
her hopes sinking rs she thought.
"Will you tell me your name" Sh,
querled.
"Why, | should have told you. Tn
proud of It, Miss Copeland-Mrs. Nor
man Barker My own name is Laure
Jeffery-father owns the WellStol
mills"
long silence fell between them
1t was broken by steps that, approach
ing slowly, quickened as they neare,