Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-02-10
The Substitute
copyright. r,s. b, Western Ssvspasr usiua. }
3, cENEv1EVE ULMAR

tCopy6sht, Is1s. By Western Nswrpasf usfon1
At the window of the great show
mansion Of Nashville stood Honora
Prescott, a queen of beauty and fasn-
ion. gazing out rather YEARLY at the
street. A token Of interest came Into
her eyes as she saw n lovely girl with
a sweet, childlike face pause to pat a
lame dog on the head one moment. and
the next lift up a crying child who had
stumbled and fallen m the pavement.
: She. raised the little one IN her arms,
! caressed and consoled her and sent
her on her way with her tears all
kissed away. Miss Trescott turned to
her maid. who was n%npacking a trunk.
"Who is that girl. Martial" she
asked, and the maid hurried to her
side.
"Oh, please. Miss Honora. that Is
| Nellie Druitt. the new schoolteacher."
Hurry after her. Martha. and ask
! her If she will kindly come into the
house for a moment"
Imperious as Miss Trescott usually
was, her tone had softened and her
eyes we're tender and sympathetic.
She was q creature OF impulse. gener-
| ally followed put her whims and was
used to having them gratihed.
It was not often that Rushville saw
the q~ueenly helress NJ the great Tres
colt estate. She passed most OF her
time In the city social circles. For
three or four weeks in the spring. how
ever. the country home was opened up
and the family there received numer-
ous friends. Such guests. to quite a
number, we're To motor to Rushvflle
and attend a grand party to he given
by Honora on her birthday. But there
had come a break IN the arrangements.
Her close friend. n Miss Ciarce Bur
dett, had fallen III II broke the pair
ing of her guests Miss Prescott felt
that she needed support rs the hostess
and the necessity OF a substitute was
urgent.
Wondering vaguely. Nellie Druett
was overtaken by the maid. She
bowed assent 10 the request made. She
had heard Of Miss Trpscott and her
elaborate entertainments. She gazed
about her, lost In admiration OF the
elegant furnishings ms she was shown
into a choice boudnir and Miss Tres
colt advanced with outstretched hand
q welcoming smile on her lips.
"You sweet child" she said. and
! kissed Nellie on the chees. II hope
you forgive. and do not misunderstood
why I sent for you am n compars
tive stranger in Nashville. although
this is supposed TO he my home
Then the stately lady frankly and
clearly explained the situation.
81 shall feel honored TO introduce
Won 70 my friends" she said. land yor
can help me out. oh. so much Won'
you try and fancy we are old. deal
friendsf"
Nellie was completely won by tht
pleasant manner Of her hostess. i
was with infinite deliracy that Miss
Trescott made her understand that She
was c~o7ferring a distinct favor. ant
that Nellie should he provided with 6
party dress and accepted as q guest
and in no wise ms n stranger.
Nellie felt like some mudern Cinder
ella as she at length stood alone u
the humble room OF the home OF Mrs
Alcott. a widow lady with whom sh'
boarded. II fairly dizzied her 10 thinl
over the events of the evening. l
caused her breath to quicken as sh
recalled the courteous. almost tende
attention Of Mr.. Willard Torrens. Sh
had been greatly surprised as he bad
her adieu with a request that he Nigh
call upon her later.
Nellie experienced a varue sense Q
treachery when Mr.. Torrens spent
full hour In the parlor of the widow
humble home two evenings larer. Sh
could not resist an invitation to
motor drive the following Saturday a
ternoon. She wondered whni the e.
acting Miss Prescott would think 9
these attentions on the part or nc
hnnce. Still she forgot all save Ell
thusiastic enjoyment ms they droH
across hills and dplls aud slowed q
n. the borders OF a pretty. placid lax
Miss Druett. Nellie" spoke Willar
Torrens earnestly. II have halted hei
purposely. 10 tell you what J have bee
longing TO tell you since the first ey
ming we met love you"
"Oh. Mr.. T%Orrensi" fnitered Nelli
b~ewildered and embarrassed IL mu
not listen to you; indeed ! must no
As the tiance Of Miss TreScott."
willard Torrens hurst forth into
merry peal OF laughter. He drew clio
. err to Nellie. then. and his former ear
estness Of one and returne
"You are confusing me with q
brother Rolfe." he said simply. al
that being so. dare I venture 20 repe
what l have Just saidT
And the blushing face and bent he'
told him that Nellie was waiting al
willing TO hear more OF the swests
sforv ever told.