The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-06-06

70 search for quarter. ne had foriiil
THE one he had Just given up only after
search He would have 10 fall bacs
on candles, There were hair dozen in
the dining room. and by lighting four
he managed to read after fashion.
But he had scarcely settled himself Is
his reading when the doorbeII rang
again He wondered who It might i,e
now as he made his way down tin
dark han. The girl across the han stood
there again.
Yon fbbed. she said reproaehfully.
"You said you had another quarter FOR
yourself. You let me drop yours in our
meter. and we can see across the shaft
that you're using candles
i rather Ike them, " he assured, hut
she would have none of 1t.
You were just going to drop the
coin In your meter. she cried. "That
Is why you had it'in your hand"
In the face OF deduction he was
dumb. che girl went on:
4 know you can't so downstairs to
get change because you hurt your M
kle. 1t wouldn't he any use anyway.
It's Sunday, md only the drug store is
open, and they are all out Of quarters.
l was down there just before asked
you for one. Mother says you must
come In to onr fat aud read. You NAV
smoke all you like. We don't mind 1t
in the least"
y am very comfortable" he protest
ed.
The opportunity he had longed for
had come, and he was too bashful %
avail himself Of 1t. In the end the girl
In her masterful little way carried her
point. Presently he was Installed in the
pleasant parlor and was telling mother
" Mrs. Fallows all about his trials
without his mother.
1T must be so lonesome for you,-
she cried. WIZ didn't you come to
us long ago?"
ave wanted to. he admitted frank
". Sometimes I've seen the light,
md I've been so hnmesic!s. We only
moved here lust Eefore my grandmoth-
er's illness took mother west, and
never got acquainted with any one.
All of our friends live on the other
side Of town"
I'VE come from the country, where
we are used to being neighborly," she
explained. Il want you to feel that
you are welcome here any time"
There was sincerity in her tones
that brought genial glow to Dighy's
heart, and the girl (he knew now her
name was Ethel seconded her mother
with glance. = ~:
That night was but the beginning of
new life for Digby. The following
evening he brought home box of
candy as return courtesy and was in.
vited to spend the evening, so gradual.
~ he fol- into the habit OF dropping in
after dinner There were trips to the
theater, little excursions on Sunday.
and even when he had word from his
mother that she had decided TO remain
west for the summer he did not offer
objection,
The more he was with Ethel the
more deeply in love he became. He
had never known many women, mud
this charming girl was the first he hai
ever loved Often he would declare
to himself that lie would propose, but
each time his courage failed him.
Then one night came the climax. The
gas began to flicker and burn low, ana
Ethel left tile room TO drop in the coin
that would turn on the flow again. lie
heard match strike in the kitchen.
where the gas had not been Iii. thcn
came nm explosion, ana lie rushed dow,
the narrow he'll
In some fashion the meter had
sprung a leak, and the lighted match
had caused the ignition OF the gae.
Ethel. her Light gown ablaze cane
staggering blinaly toward him. Hc
had his coat on before they met and
threw it aboCt her shoulders. forcing
her 70 the carpet that the blaze might
not be able 10 gain Roadway toward
her face. The gas in the apartment
Eau Reen eNtlpSuished and he was
forced 70 work In the dark. but lie heat
out the flames with lis hand ara then.
rushed into The kitchen 70 check tho
flow Of gas
It was easy to extinguish the flames
there and shut of the gas at the inlet
Then he opened the doors from ther
apartment to his and bore her in Ills
arms to his mothers room. Mrs. Fal.
lows followed and took charge OF thp
girl while he went for the doctor.
Il was some hours later that lie Was
permitted 10 SEE Ethel. She had asked
for him. her mother said. ana he stole
gently into the room She put out her
uninjured hand and smiled up at him.
In some miraculous fashion her face
had not been touched by the flames.
though her masses OF golden hair were
crisp and blaclSened.
1T was awfully brave Of YOU. Be-
Shp whispprnl &c ia haze 800. 49,,