The Coolidge examiner., 1935-01-04
CHAPTER xIII-con,inued

II must be because EdEemere'g
60 FAR away" she unused. "aud
Cousin Columhine hates 70 20 have
Us 80. And there are the Adams
IL would BE- queer q" Nance
closed her eyes as II % call up some
picture. and her color rose as she
said impatentiy: ~why don't sou
face the truth. Nancy Neison7 You
just can't bear 10 leave because -
The door pushed open.
"Do you mind II Interrupt you
for a momentT-
Nance started. smiling as she
recognized the wife Of the health.
seeker on the back road. one Of the
llbrary's most faithful visitors
Come In. she welcomed. I'm
leaving day after tomorrow and am
glad of this chance 10 say good by.
The woman said. as she sat down
IN the cushioned chair: That's why
came. / meant to stop at Miss
Nelson's. but when ! saw these open
windows ! knew you'd be here n
want 20 thank yoa for what you've
done for-weli. FOR every one In
Pine Ridge. Miss Aladdin" She
glanced up. her worn face lighted
by q smile. while Nance realized
with something OF a shock that this
faded woman was quite young.
probably not ten years older than
herself. ~Do you mind my saying
Miss Aladdin she questioned a BIT
shyly. Sometimes I've almost won.
dcred II that's what you are-a--a
sort of magician who has worked
miracles"
Nancy laughed. flushing a little. |
too.
1T wasn't a miracle az all. II you /
mean this library. IL was only com |
mon sense and bit % elbow /
grease r.
NO answered her caller. wisely. /
'u was more than that Il was /
thinking bow you could make lie |
happier for other folks It's made |
all the difference between exile and
and home 20 us = she added. My |
husbands better now. really better
and It's due 10 nothing 10 the world /
but having good books to read
something 20 take his mind away |
from himself and all our worries. Ia /
{; any wonder we think OF you as
Nlss Aladdin"
When she was gone Nance sat
there feeling strangely humble. a
lump In her throat that threatened
10 grow bigger.
Il ought 20 have gone 10 see
those people she said regretfuliy.
I'm ask Matt TO drop ln on them |
some day. Why. the FIRST time that
woman came for books / thought
she was older than Aunt Judy! on.
Why does NE hurt some OF Us so |
cruellyT'
Nance closed the windows. ~Tn /
sneak up back Of the houses" she
planned. locking the door. IF Jack
sees me he'll want TO 20 along. and |
somehow I'd rather be alone. can
stay a half hour and get back be-
fore the Adams send for us / do
hope Matt viii have cheered up hy |
evening | Just can't stand the way |
his eyes look"
BY sklrting the village II was pos
slble 10 gain the hilltop unobserved.
but II was a steep ascent. and Nancy |
was breathless when. emerging |
from the woods. she started toward |
the ancient landmark. Then. as an |
animal win stop when suddenly |
alarmed. the girl stood stlll. Some |
one was there. half hidden by the |
gigantic tree-runk. How disap- /
polnflngl Her tryst on this won
derful spot must be foregone. She
ventured one cautious backward
step. but a twig snapped under her
foot. and the intruder. almost as
startled as herself. turned quickly. |
~oh!" exclaimed Nance. Her
heart was thuddlng. Il didn't
dream mean. Matt, IL thought
She paused. for Matthew had
sprung up. an unsmiling Matthew.
who said. curlnusly. she noticed. as
he came toward her: "Is IL you.
Nancy. or or am dreamIng7 No.
I'm not crazy Tile smiled a ~.
tle.) But I've been lying here for
an hour or more wishing | had the
power OF Aladdin. so I could rub my
lamp and-and make you appear
before me Just Ike this. Isis II
really your
Nance thought. her mouth curv-
Ing 10 a smile: -What other fellow
In the world would say n thing ike
fhat?" Then with a sudden impulse
she stretched out both hands.
Touch me, and see.'