Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1919-01-16

Miss Copeland paused on her way
down the dusky corridor and listened
there was no doubt In her mind that
her suspicious Of the past week were
we'll founded. Thirteen years Of city
life-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 had
drifted into the house.
She knew that In that room q girl
was crying-weeping In the low, sub
dued, silent way that is ever signifi-
cant Of 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. impassive face Of
one who welcomes no kindly interior
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 heaSing.
my dear, may help you in some
way?" Miss Copeland asked gently.
ri am simply an old maid living in
the house when ! am not business
woman. I wish could help you" the
older woman said, a 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 must be
brave" The girl sat up suddenly,
brushing her dark hair into place
"But when Norman-he Is my hus'
band-is away. / have my blues out
He is trying SO hard, and father has
been $3.50 terribly unkind!" The
tears seemed again to be coming.
Miss Copeland spoke hastily. "Npw
suppose you tell me about 1t. an
In charge Of a 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. 81
have no mother I can remember-ant
have wanted one SO much-tO tall
tot"
''Then make believe I am your
mother; you see, am an old maid
but love children. You see-1 have
suffered little. I understand. 81
tell me. My name is Della Copeland
The girl clasped her hands tensel,
for moment, then the tight finger,
relaxed. "It's tsimple-it seems so
anyway. You 81 be Norman and
learned toto love each other. Fa
Their was angry. You see Norman
worked In one Of fathers mills. Fl,
said was too young-1 Know am
but we loved each other, and tn,
years don't count, do theyf
"No, my dear, love knows NJ
years." Miss Copeland answered
family.
II told father r would have more
years to be happy with Norman. Blu
he-he was stern. and harsh, and un
kind. Then we learned he was plan
ming to send Norman awny-to Soutl
Africa. We've simply couldn'
stand that. I wanted Norman to mar
~ me. fright away; he wouldn't with
out fathers consent, but fathe
wouldn't even see him. Then he toll
me he was going to send me away
told him I would not go"-the darl
eyes began to CLEAN. and the listener
guessed that the fathers spirit was IL
his chlld-''that would marry Nor
man. He, told me / did not dare.
did,"
The girl looked YEARLY, toward tn,
window. She went on, a bit NOR,
quietly:
1--WE were married. Father hat
Norman discharged. He refused t.
see me. did hot beg, nor shall
though know he loves me. Tn,
worst is. everywhere Norman goes fol
work In his special line fathers infiu
ence stops him from securing 1t. Nor
man-oh, he has been SO brave, Q,
kind and SO accomplishing. He Il
trained in one kind of work, but he'
trying to do what he can, and IT.
hard now"
slave you asked your father t
forgive you" Miss Copeland aske,
hesitatingly.
The girls slight form stiffened ant
the watcher saw the pride Of rae,
stern on her features. "Neverl
shall never do thatl He must ask n!
to return!"
Miss Copeland pondered minute
her hopes sinking as she thought.
'Wnl you tell me your name" sh,
querisd. s,
"Wh4,I should have told you. Tn
proud, Of It. Miss Copeland-Mrs. Nor
man Barker, My own name is Laurie
Jeffery- father owns the wellstol
mills"
A long silence fell between them
It was broken by steps that, approach
Ing slowly. quickened as they nearet
tho annr Tn romn eon .ooa1>aY.