The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-03-30
AT NACY'S DOOR
BY EDITH M. LocKETT

peculiar little squeak of the door open
ing. Two hands met on the handle
girl and youth stared at each
other, then the squeak Of tie little
old door was drowned by laughter de-
lghtfully young Strangers they were
then, but when they met near the door
Of Mays the next noon and the next
they uncOnsciously felt that they were
not strangers, and nodded TO each
other IN amused recognition.
The girl liked o. Il. g." as she
christened him, because Of some ini-
tlals she had seen on book he was
carrying. There was something whole
some about him. So she did not resent
1t one day when She saw him making
his way toward the table where she
sat trying to enjoy solitary lunch
ITS good, isn't it, he asked, in
dlcatlng her pie.
"Yes it's almost Ike some other
apple pies / once ate" She smiled
wlstfully. She was thinking OF her
mother and an orchard, with rows and
rows OF apple trees in the sunshine.
Presently she finished her lunch and
gathering up some books, rose abrupt
~. "Ill be late If don't hurry" she
said.
on, 70 YOU go to school like the
rest OF u.s." he asked
She nodded smiling, and hurrlcdy
paid her check and departed. "You're
n little fool, Ann Berry" she scolded
herself. you let j. +. C.. think you're
going to school You, a mere Office
clerk and newell, listen to his enun-
citation and perfect English"
sun she made no effort to avoid him.
Somehow. he always found a place
at her table at lunch time ut Nacy's.
They talked about books-that IS
he did. Ann listened mostly, for
sometimes he talked Of things she had
never heard Of.
Ann was boarding and sharing her
room with student named Rose
O'Neil, who loathed attending the
university almost as much as Ann
would have liked It.
II hate IT, | want TO get married
hut my folks insist on my finishing
the course. Ann, be n sport and help
lie with this, was her evening Salu-
tation.
Rose, II isn't fair TO you" Ann pro
tested. But it ended, as 1t always did,
In AIMS helping her.
Ann felt guilty; she knew why she
was taking such an interest IN Rose
She feIt she was almost getting more
ont OF the course than Rose was The
young man, her ~. T.. c., at Nacy's,
was her Inspiration. She wanted 10
understand the things he talked about
Many of the themes Rose handed
In had been written and typewriter
by Ann and Rose had signed them.
Rose would come home telling her Of
being commended by the English In
structor Tor her original stories,
As the days passed along, there was
noticeable change in Ann. She was
careful Of manner and speech. She
threw her whole self into her work.
Yet Ann was swept from her feet
when the president OF the firm asked
her If she would consider going to
Chicago.
I'VE need someone like you" he
said. you understand what we're
doing here; We want to put the same
thing over IN Chicago. We want you
because We can depend on you, and
you have no home ties.
That night Rose was quite persist
ent. Ann must write. story for
her. Her sweetheart was coming Ia
see her, so she wouldn't have time.
Ann wrote story FOR se-her
own. It was filed with loneliness, and
yet with the hope Of happlness-iilled
with apple blossoms and rows and
rows of apple trees IN the sunshine
Rose signed It and passed il at class
next day.
II was lunch time at Mays Ann
nodded TO her ~. f. c." She didn't
want to acknowledge to herself that
she loved him, would miss him in
Chicago You're little fool Ann
Berry You had better so to Chicago
and forget"
Hello! Why so blue3" he asked
lightly.
I'm trying to decide to 90 away
yet, somehow" She stopped short
what was She saying? 1t passed un
noticed as he handed her an enyel
ope. There was a generous check In
side, made out to her and signed by
4 the editor Of large magazine.
ITS your story sold IT, took
It to friend of mine. lie thought
II was great. It's a wonderful piece
of work, said ~ Il, c." eagerly
But Ann. flushed and bewlldered
snid, u don't understand"
Heavens, am telling the story
backward Ann Berry look at me.
rather recognized that story II was
like you. You see, got Rose O'Nel
10 confess. rather brbed her. Sh,
told me everything she could about
YOU You see, I'm the English instruc
tor at the university. You're no
Mlgry1' he questioned.
"No-hut-oh, It's good of you, bu
it only makes things harder" she said
"You see I'm going to Chicago.
suppose Rose told you thatG'
In noddo1 0Vas clio said ennn