Reel Life (Sep 1913 - Mar 1914)

10 Res! Life Adopted from the Reliance Play By Cathnrkif3 iV(ncs»ii Street The barn stood in a patch of September moonHght, while out through its window streamed the mellow glow of lanterns which together with a sound of many young voices told of merrymaking within. Suddenly, there came a chorus of laughter, the door opened and a young girl burst out. She ran lightly along a footpath, catching her breath in excitement, her figure in its soft, light dress ■standing out clearly against the bushes past which she sped. Close behind her came a man, tall and young and strongly built. She veered sharply, turned a corner and came against an unexpected -stretch of fence. The young man caught up in an instant. "Nora," he whispered and leaning over, kissed her. She drew back. "That's not fair. I hate you, Bert Norville." But he laid a hand on her arm. "You — you don't really, do you Nora? And you know it was fair; I drew the red ear in the liusking." He was breathing quickly and there was an unaccus•'tomed earnestness in his voice. "What made you run away?" "I dont know," she stammered. His hand felt warm on her arm. "Don't you like me?" "Do you kiss country girls and then laugh to yourself about it afterwards?" she retorted. The moonlight struck full in her face as she turned, and he could almost see the heightened color in her cheeks. Her under lip was drawn in under two white teeth and lier brown eyes flashed. He tightened his grip on her arm. "Nora, won't you marry me?" Tie begged. "I love you awfully, and I — I can't go away without you." The words gushed out in a rapid torrent. There came a pause filled only with the monotonous chirp of Katydids and the swish of swaying branches. "How — how can I ?" she questioned. "Why, I've only known you a week — " "Never mind that. Just say you will. Nora, Nora I've got to go back to the city in three days; I want to take you with me — " Another pause, while a mild breeze, sweet with the scent of ripening apples, swept across their faces. Their glances met; he caught her in his arms and held her. This time she did not resist and he, ■ieaning down, heard whispered words which satisfied him. So it happened that Nora Hampton, who had lived all her life in Ridge Corners, married young Bertram Norville and set out with the blithest heart in the world for her new home. But three months later found her fighting down the pangs of homesickness, for she was afraid of the big, fashionable suburban home, with its many servants. Somehow, even the furniture seemed to repulse her. There were no comfortable, ugly rocking chairs, no well-worn sofas with sagging springs. Most of all she was afraid of her husband's mother, a dignified, assertive woman, who held herself very erect and had a distant way of speaking. Nora's first friendly advances failing, she had taken refuge in trying, at least, to win some small measure of the senior Mrs. Norville's approval. A day arrived, however, when the newcomer gave up in despair. A little uncertain as to what she must do and say, she was standing in the receiving line at one of Mrs. Norville's receptions, feeling awkward as guests filed by her. She had never before met so many strange people and not one of them seemed glad to see her. An idle moment came; no one was near or noticed her. She slipped out of the drawing-room, and hurried upstairs, never pausing until she had shut herself in her own room. There she dropped to the floor and, leaning against the end of a couch, cried as if her heart would break. Hot tears were running down her face when the door opened and Bert came in. "Why, Nora dear, what's the matter?" he asked. "I missed you — that is, we missed you down stairs." He crossed the room, lifted her to her feet and be;,an to wipe away her tears.