West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1886-05-14
MIR. GRAY-WHITE.
How He at Last Faded Out of
the Picture.

the Picture.
1t was neither prying curiosity nor
an eye for silver forks that drew him
50 near the window. He was "A home
less man, indeed, but not n vagabond.
Business had brought him to Pillow
vile, and after eating supper at the
tavern he had wandered about the
drowsy streets of the town. until,
through the window of low-set. mod
est dwelling, he caught glimpse of a
group around table. At the table sat
pretty girl, who was evidently afford
ing excellent entertainment &c an cid
erly woman, an old man, and a gawk
of a boy.
Although the gentleman without
could not hear the words she spoke, he
could well see her bright eve and the
smiles she brought to the faces of those
who listened to her with fond eager
ness. She was telling n story, gesticu-
latlng in a graceful fashion, and turn
Ing her head from side to side like n
bird. The old man, who had a flowing
white beard, leaned toward her. put
ting his opened hand behind his ear so
that he should not lose a syllable of
her sprightly talk, and the gentleman
outside stepped on the porch the better
TO see the girls winsome face. The
gawk of boy began to grin, display
ing large teeth stranded on reef of
red gum; the old man lay back i'm his
arm chair in exquisite delight, and the
the elderly woman laughed so that her
ample bosom shook. She was very fat.
and she pressed her hand to her side as
though it ached from too much mirth.
Suddenly she rose, and before the gen
teman on the porch could beat a re-
treat she had opened the door
Il thought / heard somebody here. -
she said with great good humor. THE
bell Is little out of killer. and it don
ring. first rate. Who did you want to
see?n
The unbidden guest. who did not
lack audacity, asked if Mr.. Brown lived
there, and the woman answered that
he did.
But do you mean Mr. Hughson
Brown or Mr.. Perry Brown she
added.
Neither, Mr. Henry Brown ne an.
swored, promptly.
WpAAtNAA tAdcDfu ItI 0Hnu@.
why, he's dead, but Perry, that's hi.
brother, lives here and he'll be rea'
glad to see you. Come right in"
He expostulated, but finally suffered
himself TO be led into the coy. lamp
lighted room. 1t was plainly furnished
but the red table-cover. the rocking.
chairs, with cushions on the seats tbe
presence Of a comfortable cat gave it =
most hOmeiike aspect The pretty cir
looked at the stranger curiously. the
gawk of boy stared. and the old mar
put ON pair of spectacles
Pa, said the elderly woman. in 4
shrill voice, ''here is a gentleman come
10 see poor brother Henry, not know.
ing he was dead. -
The old man rose and held out q
thin. largc-veined hand
- didn't quite catch the color nj
your name, STRIP he said loosely.
Gray. was the faltering response.
given with a helpless smile.
And then the old man chuckled
" faint as good wearing color a.
Brown. Grays viii fade. / was I'm the
dry-gOOd- line myself Well. here j.
Mrs Brown and our son Henry named
Tor bis uncle and our niece. Miss Hat
tie Brown.
The gentleman with the fading name
bowed politely 20 each and accented
the chair his hostess offered She was
me sou Of hospitality; she invited him
10 take a cup Of tea and some bread
ana butter, and lamcnted that tine
slowed pears aud smoked beef were all
eaten zap. divorgng "A little TO dwell ON
ncr son appetite. which made him
iook ablectIy miserable. and was prob
ably The reason why he skunk ont Of
the room The guest assured her that
he was not hungry ho had Just -uppcd
$40 the tavern
SO you knew Henry. said old Mr..
Brown, refeciivelv Out West
CUES. LcadviIc likely Did YOU
eyer have any thing to do with the
Maria minc?'
Mr. Grays face Frightened, then
cIoudcd over
~ did indeed he answered
And lost something. Il bet 2
coOky cried Mr. Brown. i'm gIee
Henry lost every cent be- had. and II
was The death Of him. too He dido.t
owe you any thing2 he added. with
an anxious pucker n bis wriukled
face
'-Oh not q penny not o penuy
And You hadn't heard be- wa.
dead the old man continued IIo.
been dead femme see 10 must br
nigh onto four year
'FOur years next month. put ina Tho
girl softly She was helping her auut
" clear Ihs table and the stranger,