The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1919-01-23
Broken Links
BY A. w. PEACH

Miss Copeland paused Oh her way
down the dusky corridor and listened
there was no doubt In her mind that
her suspicious Of the past week were
well founded. Thirteen years Of city
hfe-most Of 1t spent In the boarding
house which had been her only home
had not hardened nor driven away
the deep. maternal tenderness which
had gone out to many waif who 'hasi
drifted into the house.
She knew that in that room a -gir
was crying-weeping in the low. sub
dued. silent way that fs ever -sfgnifi
can't Of a breaking or fhofnesick heart
She went on to the door "of heI
room, and then paused agdin. She
deRembered the shy. refined. girlisf
Come to -rne ,her young husband
week. Something was weaily jim the
wrong: and quietly Miss Copeland
turned back. ready to meet rhe insol-
ent word, the dumb. impassive face OF
Dne who welcomes no kindly inierfer-
ence.
She knocked softly. but -hesrd 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 heaving.
MY dear, may help you IN some
way" Miss Copeland asked gently.
II am simply an old maid living In
the house when ! am not a business
woman. wish could help you," the
older woman said. bit eagerly, for
tfe henuty OF the girl, her evident re-
f1nement, and her grief. appealed to
her.
THANK you-but you cannot help
me. I am afraid-and must be
brave" The girl sat up suddenly.
brushing her dark hair into place.
'But when Norman-he is my hus-
hands away. have my blues out.
He rs trying so hard, and father has
been $3.50 terribly unkindl" The
eears seemed again to be coming.
Miss Copeland spoke hastily. "Now
suppose you tell me about 1t. am
IN charge of number of girls in q
great office-almost a mother confes-
sor. See II can't help in some way.
will your"
The dark eyes were wistful. 'l
have no mother I can remember-and
have wanted one 80 nluch-to talk
tor
''Then make believe an your
mother; you see. am an old maid
but love children. You see-I have
suffered a little. / understand So
tell me. My name Is Della Copeland. .
The girl clasped her hands tensely
for moment, then the tight fingers
relaxed. ''It's simple-it seems so
anyway. You see Norman and
learned toto love each other. Fa-
ther was angry. You see Norman
worked in one of fathers mills. He
0aid l WAS too young-I know I am
but we lored each other. and the
years don't count, do they?"
mo, my dear, love knows nc
years." Miss Copeland answered
faintly-
81 told father i would have more
years TO be happy with Norman. But
he-he was stern. and harsh. and un,
4ind. Then we learned he was plan
ming TO send Norman away-to South
Africa We've simply .cOrldn'i
stand that. wanted Norman to ma r.
~ me, right away; he wouldn't with.
out fathers consent, hut fnther
wouldn't even see him. Then he told
me he WAS going to send me away.
] told him / would net go''--the tlnr,,
eyes began {" sIeam. ana the listener
guessed that the fathers spirit was in
his child-'-rfsat would marry Nor
mnn. He told me did NOT dare. ]
did,"
The girl looked wearily toward the
window. She went on. a bit more
quietly:
I'VE were married. Father had
Norman discharged. He refused fo
see me. did not beg. nor shaal i
though / know he loves me- Tue
worst is. everywhere Norman goes Cor
work In his special line fathers infis,-
aDce stops him from securing 1t. Nor.
nan-Oh. he has been so brave. sa
kt0d and SO uneomplaining. He Is
trained in one kind Of work. but he's
trying to do what he can. and it's
hard now"
-aiave you asked your father to
forgive your Miss Copeland asked
hesitafingly.
The girls slight form stifYened and
the watcher saw the pride OF race
stern on her features. "Neveri ]
shall never do thatl He must ask us
to refurni"
Miss Copeland poudered q minute.
her hopes sinking as she thought.
will you tell me your nnmer she
querfed.
why. should have told you. I'm
proud of It, Miss Copeland-Mrs. Nor
nan Barker. My own name is Laurel