isa-normaladvance-1913-00062

Description:	62THE NORMAL ADVANCEgreen tree that stood just outside, and closedthe door again. As if drawn by an irresistibleforce, the woman crept back to the window,and, shielding her face with the shawl, whichshe wore over her head, she watched the manplace the little tree on a table, and go into another room. Presently he returned with adusty and much-used box, which containedtinsel, candles, and other ornaments for aChristmas tree.The man clumsily fastened the ornamentsin place, and brought a few little parcels froma drawer in his desk, placing them around thebase of the tree. As he worked, the memoriesof other Christmases flooded his mind, andhe paused frequently to wipe the mist fromhis eyes. He began to whisper broken sentences, A year ago she trimmed the tree, andI sat and watched her swift fingers as theyflew among the branches, fastening on theglittering balls, and soft-hued candles. Andhow she smiled, as she placed that silver staron the topmost branch and said it was thestar of our little ones life, which would always shine down on us, keeping us true to ourfaith. And then that handsome, evil villain,with his soft voice and alluring smile came,and before I realized it, had shattered my life.She was not to blame. He hypnotized herwith that smile of his. Oh, if I could just getmy hands on him, I would break him as hehas broken me, and grind him under my feet,The woman, watching him, started back atthe look of fury and hate that crossed his face,twisting his lips into a wolfish snarl, andbringing a fierce gleam into his deep-set eyes.Then, suddenly the look faded, and the oldlook of pain appeared again, as, with a heartbroken sob, he threw himself into a chair andburied his head in his arms. With an answering sob the woman threw her arm over herface and fled up the street. Blindly she staggered on, buffeted by the wind, until she wasout of breath. Then, leaning against a tree,she faced her future as she had never facedit before. The man for whom she had left herhusband and her baby had not kept his appointment, and she, too proud to go back tothe home that she had left, had wandered fromcity to city, hunting for work, and findingbarely enough to keep her supplied with theabsolute necessities of life. Then, as theChristmas season approached, the memories ofother Christmases rushed over her with overwhelming force, and she hungered for a sightof her old home, and the dear ones in it. Shehad intended to watch them, unseen herself,but now the longing to go back was more thanshe could bear. The pain tore her heart, wringing from her a cry of agony. I must go back.I cant stand it any longer. She stood there,battling with her pride, and then it wentdown, conquered by the great heart-hungerthat flooded her whole being. With a suppressed cry, she turned and ran back the wayshe had come, and burst into the room wherethe man still sat as she had left him.As she entered the door the man looked upwonderingly. When he realized that she hadreturned, a look of fierce joy overspread hisface, then his eyes hardened, and he watchedher coldly, without speaking.Oh, John, dont look at me like that, shebegged, throwing herself down beside hischair. I cant stand it, I know I ran away,but truly, John, I havent seen him. He—hedidnt meet me, and then I was afraid to comeback, and so Ive been trying to work. Then Icouldnt stand it, not seeing you, and so I cameback. I didnt intend to come in at all, butwhen I saw you trimming the tree I couldntstand it, I had to come and see Nellie again.Oh, John, I didnt want to go at all, but Icouldnt help myself. He made me go in someway. I dont expect you to let me stay, butplease, please, let me see Nellie. I—I cantstand it if I dont,Gradually the hard look in his eyes changed,and the pain and sadness were smoothed away,as he looked at her and saw the marks of repentance and anguish written so plainly inher face. Rising, he lifted her to her feet andled her into the little room where Nellie layasleep. Mary, he said softly, with a tendersmile, she needs you, and I—I guess I needyou too.
Source:	http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/isuarchive/id/34507
Collection:	Indiana State University Archives

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