The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1919-07-11
Nel's Letter
By JACK LAYTON

looked up and smiled as a man APP
peared in the doorway.
Come in jed" she invited. II could
hardly wait to see you. Another let
ter has come from Nell and it's full
Of good news. l declare the girls
spirit seems to be overlooking in joy
ousness.' She paused, as the man
dropped into an opposite chair, his
kind eyes were bent upon her What
a man you are dear" the old lady ex-
claimed, "rejoicing always with me in
NelIs welfare. when you might instead
know bitterness. Sometimes" the
gentle voice faltered, Il think your
love for my daughter equals that of
her MISUNDERSTANDING, 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 adopt
ed the name.
ten letter. eAa,l
'Tlleir apartment in New York must
be a luxurious place." she said, read
for yourself Jed. Nell describes it as
q sort of background TO her wonder
fully appointed way Of living-her de-
scription 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 post
pOne her home visit. Her husband is
absorbed in business, and cannot bear
the thought Of being separated from
her, SO like a dutiful wife, Nell re-
mains. If my health would permit, /
would go to her-but that Is now i'm
possible"
BE patient a little longer" he said,
"she is sure to come home soon.
Strange how her father was preju-
diced against Lester Williamson fact
how ready we all were to believe him
other than he pretended"
When Nell's father refused consent
to his daughters marriage with a
man of whom he knew nothing-Nell
had hurled defiance and hidden her
mother goodbye.
During her fathers last days,
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 desired. So
Jed, In his greater love found content
ment in that knowledge.
He was glad t o 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 a scented letter came q
check-not that mother was in need of
checks-just a bit Of Nell's "pin
money" And then, enc evening as Jed
sat In his chair at one side of the fire.
and the happily anticipating mother
in another-he found that she had ap-
parently fallen asleep. naturally-but
1t was n sleep from which even NelIs
voice could never awaken her.
Jed frantically tried to reach Les
ter Williams by telegraph, but there
was some misunde rstanding and he
could not be found; SO, in his eager
ness 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 a friend. He thought
as he fastened down an unpreten-
tious street past old houses, hat he
must have mistaken the address. But
here was undeniab!y No. S15.
A woman who opened the door hest
tated at his inquiry for 'Mrs. Lester
Williams" Then her face frightened.
"Mrs. Nell Williams you mean prob
ably" she said, and directed jed up
q shabby stair. "Rocm 10" she added,
and perplexed by the pervading dingi-
ness, Jed obeyed.
1t was Nell herself who actually
opened the door. 3 wraith-like Nell,
In a frock as unpretentious as her
surroundings.
"Jed!" she cried. just that; and
Jed again.
Then, in q strangely natural man.
ner. the little white Nell was folded
in Jed's arms, while he gave the mes
sage Of his visit.
After a While she looked UP at him.
"She was happy? Nell demanded.
Mother was happy?'
Gently Jed released her, and gave
the assurance.
Because" said Nell, II had to know,
you see, If all my deceit and lying had
gone for naught. l could not break
their hearts could II" she cried fierce
ly, land pride would not let me creep
back, owning myself in the wrong. l
was never married to Lester Williams.
l have never known that comforting
care OF which l wrote.
"When Lester Williams came to meet
me upon the night we We're to he
married, he was intoxicated, a pitinble,
contemplate creature-I have not
seen him since. When my supply of
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