The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1920-04-24
MISS TERRY
BY MILDRED WHITE.
wright. 1920. Western Newspaper Unlonl


luncheon cloth upon her mothers
tray. Every day as the hands Of the
Kitchen clock pointed to II 80, Miss
Terry did this very thing, the one ex-
ception being when the potatoes were
either boiled, or creamed.
Ellen's father had been stern man,
permitting no gayety or frlvoity in
his own domain.
Miss Terry was treated with re-
spect by the community, her unself-
ish devotion by-word. For few
stopped to consider the WEAKNESS OF
her life's routine, or fingered to bright
Ell its dullness. 1t was vision of
years to come, like those which had
passed in sameness, which came TO
Ellen upon certain morning as she
put the luncheon cloth on her moth
ers tray. A change OF some kind
must be wrought, Ellen thought des-
perately, and when she had placed the
tray before the grateful invalid, Ellen
took up last nights Farm Herald"
and an advertisement caught her eye.
Young woman teaching in Farmdale
Academy would like board in quiet
home" she read. Then Ellen Terry,
committed the one daring act of her
life. She answered the advertise
ment independently and without con
sulting her mother, then fearfully
person Miss Pety Blair of Boston,
presented hers If fE approval, and
was apparently delighted over the
prospect Of her new boarding place
A new world opened to Miss Terry
within the shelter of her own little
home. Betty's presence seemed to
fill each corner with new and joyous
interest The letters which she
brought back from the little post Of
flee and shared confidingly with Ellen,
were an interest in themselves.
Was there never one that you cared |
about? Never. really, dear?'
Ellen had shaken her head vigor-
ously, but after awhile, when the
griddle cakes were carefully turned.
she had said apropos of nothing:
''Do you ever talk to Dan Wise, the
postmaster, Betty? Dams real
pleasant man. His wife died two
years ago. He went off away from
here when he was married and only
just got back after she'd died"
Betty flashed glance from her
bright eyes.
You knew him years ago?" she
asked. Before he was married?"
Ellen nodded. I'VE used to go to
school together"
"He often asks for you," Betty said.
'When | go for the mail, 'How's Miss
Terry today he'll say, and how's
her motheTY"s
The little teacher smiled as she
Ient over the cakes, then as suddenly
she sighed.
"The time has just flown since I've
leen with you, dearie Ellen" she said.
I'm almost sorry TO go back to Bos-
on
When the girl had gone, it was FL
en- who was sorry. Sorry with
oneliness which sent her often to the
lost Office hoping that Betty might
ave written. Betty did write; pages
nd pages, CHEEKY record of her own
Ioings.
Thought lots Of you" big Dan Wise
old Ellen. always talking bout
low fine you were. Somebody else
links of you, too, it seems" he added
uriously, and handed to Ellen a sec
nd letter.
A pink glow Of surprise effused her
ace now as she received the unusual
lssive. At home again in the kitch-
n, she sat staring at manly scrawl
cross an inclosed rose-bedecked card.
"You have won a true friend" she
cad simply.
The mysterious message was but the
eginning of many. More frequent
han even Betty's chatty communica-
ons. Brief were these messages, but
always deep admiration,
'ue friendship. No name was signed
} the manly handwriting. Each time
lat big Dan passed one of these en-
elopes through the post office win
ow his keen eyes searched Ellen
erry's face, and Ellen becomingly,
ut guiltily, blushed.
Reckon" Dan said laughingly one
ay, you've got faithful friend
own there in New York. You might
Ill us about him, Ellen. Leastwise
ou might tell m old friend-like
e. John Towne, his name is, l see;
s on the outside o. this envelope"
Ellen took the letter and hurried
ward the door. From there she
rev back at big Dan, an unaccus-
,med smile.
s'Mebbe sometime 1 will tell you, If
,u come over, Dan," she said, then
.ood abashed at her daring.
"Be over tonight" Dan answered
Ellen could scarcely concentrate
sr mind on the letter, but the reali-
,tion presently came to her that this
,hn Towne Of New York, writer OF
er admiring missives, was the
.trothed lover Of Betty Blair. He
rote now to announce this fact. And
1t only gratitude had prompted John
owne's avowaIs Of friendship for Miss
erry, Betty herself. he said, had Sc
cted the cards. And some short
me later when Betty received a mark