The herald., 1920-07-01
MISS TERRY
BY MILDRED WHITE.

Copyright, 1920. Western Newspaper Union)
Miss Terry put the potatoes on to
bake, and went to spread a snowy
luncheon cloth upon her mothers
tray. Every day as The hands of the
kitchen clock pointed to IL 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 a stern man,
permitting no gayety or frivolity in
his own domain.
Miss Terry was treated with re-
spect by the community, her unself-
ish devotion a by-word. For few
stopped to consider the WEAKNESS of
her life'S routine, or fingered to bright
en- its dullnesS. 1t was a vision Of
years to come, like those which had
passed in sameneSs, which came to
Ellen upon a certain morning as she
put the luncheon cloth on her moth
er's 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
awaited reply. The answer came In
person. Miss Betty Blair of Boston,
presented herself for 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
| fee 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 a 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 a glance from hel
bright eyes.
"You knew him years ago." she
asked. Before he was married?"
Ellen nodded. 1--WE used to go tc
school together"
"He often asks for you," Betty said
"When 1 go for the mail, 'How's Miss
Terry today he'll say, and how''
her motherT"
The little teacher smiled as sh'
bent over the cakes, then as SUDDEN!
she sighed.
"The time has just flown since rv'
been with you, dearie Ellen" she said
I'm almost sorry to go back to Bos
ton"
| When the girl had gone, 1t was FL
len who was sorry. Sorry with
loneliness which sent her often to tn
post office hoping that Betty nigh
have written. Betty did write; page
and pages, a CHEEKY record Of her owl
doings.
Thought lots Of you" big Dan Wis
told Ellen. always talking 'bou
how fine you were. Somebody els
thinks of you, too, it seems" he adde
curiously, and handed to Ellen a SEQ
ond letter.
A pink glow Of surprise efused ne
face now as she received the unusua
misslve. At home again In the kitcf
| en-. she sat staring at a manly scraW
across an inclosed rose-bedecked cart
= "You have won a true friend" sh
read simply.
!. The mysterious message was but tn
a beginning Of many. More frequeI
than even Betty's chatty -communic'