The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-08-25

me. Really you don't know hon
I surprised am. You'll simply haSs
10 give me time to think 1t over,
l think shall take q vacation for a
week. anyway. for I'm tired. and
you know l have worked pretty
hard out Of ONCE hours with you,
haven't II Do you mind II don,
decide till then and write you q
note In answer"
was such a fool, in fact. that
began to joke McComus about her
throwing him down.
Don't be too gay about that
he said. In about a week l expect
to give you piece OF news that will
make you sit up and take notice.
You may think I've been sitting on
the fence waiting for you and Clara
to go by. but there's a little row.
boat and a well known copy OF Luz
ellie. that have witnessed import
ant conversations between me and
Miss Foster. and don't you ignore
that"
| pumped him then without, deli
cacy and found that he was expect
Ing letter In reply to his proposal.
After comparing notes we adjourn
ed to. Adoniram in body and COL
lected his evidence.
Pm only waiting for the little
word accepted" he said, before
| announce my resignation and
Clara's from the s. S. S. There'll
be no printed form accompanying
my best piece Of work. I'm sorry
boys. but l cant hold out hopes to
you. You're stung."
We had a pretty sad old time that
week, In the factory, and we watch
ed the mails as we used to in the
old days before we had an agent.
II didn't seem like the old place
without the Prettiest at her roii-top
desk. sucking a blue pencil and
smiling at each one in turn.
The first mail on Monday brought
US three letters. all addressed by
typewriter. Inside they were all
three alike:
Miss Foster regrets to say that
the proposal you have been SO kind
as to offer. Is not at present avail
able. Her needs are limited to
special interests with which she Is
now we'll supplied, SO that a decli-
nation does not necessarily imply
any fault or lack OF excellence on
the part Of the offer submitted.
Thanking you for favoring her with
the same, she desires to announce
that she is about to assume the
management of the Editor OF the
Public Magazine"
That was why she had been going
to New York three times a week.
That was why E. MARI had succeed
eed so well with the Public. That
was where she had go: her ideas on
criticism and her technical hints.
w wrote round robin to the edi-
tor upon his engagement, voted
thanks to our ex-manager. and then
the factory shut Gown. Collabora-
ton without the friendly offices Of
the Prettiest Girl in Railway would
have been absurd. The Company
disbanded and shared the treasury.
Clara Foster appeared next day In
new hat--a wonder. She was
not only the prettiest girl in Rah-
way. but the Prettiest Girl on the
Atlantic Seaboard. the Prettiest on
the Continent-in the World. She
greeted us warmly, but there was a
skcde Of anxiety In her demeanor
<h'eei lS" NoIls anu smile
apiece, she sat down at her old
place by the roll-top desk.
You know I've done all I could
for the s. S. S., don't you, boys?"
she asked.
We agreed and she ventured to
smile again.
I've sold your stun and raised
tire prices. and delivered the money.
haven't !? You've never done SO
well before, aud you've made lots OF
money. haven't you?"
We nodded sadly. Not one OF ia
but would have rather had Clara
than fame or wealth or success.
Then there's one thing | want to
tell you. and want to ask you all
a favor"
We waited in gloom.
II hate to confess 1t, but really.
1t wasn't much # fb. | don't see