The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1922-03-16
NORA
BY MILDRED WHITE

Copyright. 1922. Western Newspaper Union.
A great house, high on terraced
lawn. Windows cleaning in the sun
shine upon either side of a pillared
doorway, and upon the lowest step OF
the wide stone stair, girl was sit
ting. She wore the white uniform OF
a house maid. But the blue eyes OF
the maid were dreamy, and her mop
stick lay idly against her knees.
Then all at once her dark lashes
forsook their dreaming, for a horse
man rode, as in the olden tale, straight
up the wide hedged driveway. This
young man was stranger. He
alighted at sight of her, and came for.
ward, cap in hand, as deferentially as
though she were indeed mistress OF
the mansion.
"Will you tell me-" he asked in
pleasing tone, IF 1 may see Miss
Eleanor Dean?" he presented his card.
Miss Eleanor Dean has gone away
she explained.
The young man sat down at her
side.
We'll, then, that's over- he re-
marked relievedly. "Now I'll rest be.
fore starting back"
what is over?' the maid asked.
The man laughed.
Il was rudely speaking my thoughts
aloud he said. Il promised my Aunt
to make this call, you see, and l have
kept my promise, so that's all"
Are you glad" the girl questioned
ito avoid seeing Miss Dean? Most
men seek that favor. All day"
She laughed amusedly. 81 am kept
busy refusing them, turning them off.
In fact l am sure that is why Eleanor
went away. She hates fortune hunt
ers."
The young man regarded the girls
flushed, angry face with interest you
sympathize with your employer" he
said, land you call Miss Dean Elean-
or. Yet, you are her maid perhaps? -
Il am" the girl corrected, Miss
Deans companion. Also, l attend to
her correspondence. l came back to-
day TO go over a lot of mail and
found that the servants had taken a
general holiday, leaving the house va
Gated. SO l was busting the neglect
ed rooms until l came out after cob
webs.
Then" the girl sighed, 'I sat down
here, feeling sorry for poor Eleanor"
Poor Eleanor" exclaimed the man,
amazed with million in her own
right, favored, also, 1 understand. with
youth, beauty and charm. And YOU
feel sorry for her"
The girl nodded her head emphat-
ically.
NO one really loves Eleanor" she
declared, then smiled. UNLESS it is
me. They love her money and the
things it buys for them. So she will
never marry. She told me so before
she flew away last night in her motor
car"
The girl sprang up and reached en-
ergetically toward the cobwebs.
Whether she reached too high, or
whether she stepped too far over the
stone, Glen Hamilton could not tell,
but his arm caught the maid as she
swayed toward him; and as he held
her for the space of a moment the
dark dashed eyes gazed startled into
his own, working strange mad havoc
In his honest heart. Slowly he re-
leased her, while crimson flooded the
girls face.
Il must go in," she said; there's
the correspondence to attend to. One
letter from your aunt" she said, "pav-
Ing the way for your reception. 1 re-
call now, the name mentioned Mr..
Glen Hamilton. Yet you profess not
to be-a fortune hunterw
"And l am not" the young man in
dignantly denied. Rather than marry
a woman for her money I'd"
"What?" teased the girl.
Marry her maid" the young man
retorted. They laughed together.
Seriously" added Glen Hamilton, 81
will never marry, unless it be for
love"
"And will you find lover" dared the
girl.
II am not quite sure" he hesitated,
but / think-that I am on my right
way to find it, Will you let me come
tomorrow to take you for drive. or
would you prefer to visit me here, In
the gardens?'
The girl considered
81 shall first have to ask Mrs. Has
kins the house matron," she answered
primly.
Mrs. Hasklns acts as chaperon
when 1 am here alone" A woman
stepped from a car, as she spoke.
"Mrs. Hasklns," began the girl, "this
Is Mr.. Glen Hamilton. He hoped to
meet Miss Dean, but as she has gone
away, would like to take her place
entertaining him tomorrow afternoon,
In the gardens"
The elderly woman smiled.
Il will send tea out to you there,
Nora" she agreed.
The maid dotted her rufHed cap.
II borrowed Mary's busting outfit"
she explained while amused myself
about the halls. Good afternoon, Mr..
Hamilton-until tomorrow"
Tomorrow" he said, and bald
close her hand. When he was gone
Eleanor Dean turned, the light OF
laughter upon her lovely face. and
told him no lies" she informed the
perplexed housekeeper, for the world
weary Eleanor had gone away-oh !
very far away. The girl who waited
dreaming, was only a girl all unknow-