Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1919-02-27
Nell S Letter
BY JACK LAYTON
Copyright. 1918. Western Newspaper Union.)

looked up and smiled as a man ap-
peared in the doorway.
"Come in jed" she invited. Il could
hardly wait to see you. Another let
ter has come from Nell and it's full
of good news. / declare the girls
spirit seems to be overlooking in joy
BUSINESS" 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
Nell's welfare, when you might instead
know bitterness. Sometimes" the
gentle voice faltered, II think your
love for my daughter equals that Of
her mother-self-effacin devoted.
And l 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.
The old lady unfolded a closely writ
ten letter. "a
"Their apartment in New York must
be a luxurious place." she said, read
for yourself Jed. Nell describes it as
a 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"
Nells 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 inn
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. all were to believe him
other than he pretended"
When Nell's father refused consent
to his daughters marriage with Il
man Of whom he knew nothing-Nell
had hurled defiance and hidden her
mother goodbye.
During her fathers last days,
though his daughter was separated
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 to 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 q scented letter came
check-not that mother was in need of
| checkS-iuSt bit of Nells pin
money" And then. one 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 APP
Aarently fallen asleep, naturaily-but
| it was q sleep from which even Nell's
| voice could never awaken her.
Jed franticalIy tried to reach Les
ter Williams by telegraph, but there
was some misunderstanding 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 Nelrs husband were away the
sad news might be less hard to hear
from the lips of a friend. He thought
rs he fastened down an unpreten-
tiOus street past old houses, that he
must have mistaken the address. But
here was undenably No. 815.
A woman who opened the door hesi-
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. Groom 49," she added,
and perplexed by the pervading dingi-
ness, Jed obeyed.
It was Nell herself who actually
opened the door, wraith-like Nell,
in q frock as unpretentious as her
surroundings.
"Jed." she cried, just that; and
"Jed" again.
i HCll, III IL
ner, the little white Nell was folded
in Jeds 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. / could not break
their hearts could To- she cried fierce
ly, land pride would not let me creep
back, owning myself in the wrong.
was never married to Lester Williams.
| have never known that comforting
care of which | wrote.
"When Lester Williams came to meet
me upon the night we were to h'
married, he was intoxicated, pitiable.
contemplate creature-I have not
seen him since. When my supply of
money was exhausted, 1 showed let
tiers to mother that I had written
with little change-to an editor. He