The Meeker herald., 1923-01-06
THE REAL NANCY
sy MARGARET MoULToN

sure you meet Miss Brndlee--she's
Anne Bradlee. We call her Nancy.
though. Oh, that's all right. My wife Is
friend Of hers-we have her out
every now and then over the week
end. The little boys awfully fond Of
her. too"
Young Dick Terhune. the manager
Of Henderson L Co, Toledo branch
Office, smiled at the other mans en-
thusiusm.
''You're talking In exactly the same
strain. old man, that my well-wishinr
Aunt Jenny uses when she's trying TO
get me mntrimonially Interested in
one of her friends daughters.
81 see you're a hart.shelled bach"
rctorted Hill. "Well. you couldn't do
better anywhere than Miss Nancy.
wasn't selling her to you. though.
She has enough suitors In New York
without casting about In the mid
West. Henderson jokes about getting
a fvc.ycar nntI-matrimony Insurance
policy on her, but he says no com
pany would TAKE the risk after seeing
her. A benuty."
you're really arousing my curios-
ity now" Trrhune intcrposcd, drily.
when do You suppose I'll he called
"n TO New York?'
POSSIBLY in the fall. III get my
wife to fix np party when yon do
come. Well have to go now. Must
sec Wilcox ut 2. I'll he back later, $"
lOng!"
1t was only one month later that
Tcrhunc WAS called to the New York
Office. Brown. who had been In charge
of the Cuban branch for the past three
years. was sick. and another man
must be sent nt once to carry out the
Important work planned for the sum
mcr.
On his way East. Terhune rcmcn-
bcrcd Miss Anne Brndlee. perhaps
thcrell he time for the pnrty Hill
promised" thought Terhune, eagerly.
When he reached New York. Ter
hume found that Hill had gone on
tour OF the western Offices. Henderson.
the president Of the company, cordial
and energetic. spent half n day going
over the work with Terhune.
.'Thls is one OF the most important
job. we have this summer" he too
Terhuh. 'We're seAding you because
we're pleased with your work so far.
and because yoM know Spanish. Your
boat leaves tomorrow nt noon. and we
have your reservations made. Brown
L. ,uutt NJ fhnrss Np'Il
stay over three days to show you
about the work. lie paused to ring II
bell beside his desk. MY stenograpl'er
has your tickets" he explained.
Terhune sat up very straight and
Prepared 10 make . good first impress
sion on the charming Miss Nancy.
In abon, two minutes a faint red
spot gloweh In each cheek as he thrust
the envelope containing his tickets int"
his pocket.
"HilI was certainly Kidding me-" he
gibed to himself. Honey -colOrcd hair
Huh! lie meant mud-col0red. and he
forgot TO say II was stringy and
straight. What no. for Cuba and the
malaria. or whatever 1t Is Brown has. :"
leTutltt Iiuu 10 'ibDk lNl'e Nv
received a friendly little note signed
"Anne Badlre." saying that. at Mr..
Hendcrsons suggestion. she wns send
Ing Il bntch OF New York and Toledo
newspapers.
Terhunc answered the note the next
day. Anne Bradlee must have read be-
tween the lines Of his jolly descrip-
tIons Of tropical life. and discovered
that he was homcsick and lonesome.
because she wrote again very soon.
Terhine's NTH letter began Dear
Nancy"
When he had been In Cuba a year
and was beginning to long for taste
of the cooler northern climnte. Ter
hume received the welcome news that
he was to report to the New York
office In a month. and that Brown
would return to his old job.
When his boat docked in Brooklyn,
he went directly to the Office. Hendcr-
soE was away. but Hill greeted him
-,ri:slly.
Mighty glad to see you back. Ter
hume. Sorry | have an appointment
~ II. but Miss Brnulee VIII eNpihin
everything 10 you. and I'll be around
tomorrow. You've never met her have
you? Come along and I'll Introduce
YOU" lie led Tcrhune to the adjoin.
ing Office.
Nancy. here's Mr.. Tcrhunc, from
Cuba. you know. Tcrhune. Miss Brad
lee. Explain things to him, Nancy. will
your And then send him home 10 rest
after his trip See you tomorrow, Ter
hume"
Terhunc. smiling down al the girl
before hini-the slender girl with the
honey -ColOred lair and the blue green
eyes and the cherry red lips. asked.
"PIcase. first OF all, Mlsscr- Nancy,
who was the young lady I saw here
year ago-just before left for Cuba?"
The blne.green eyes spnrkletl mis-
chievOusly.