The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-12-31

ETAs Piodisafs Return
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"HHHNmNH F"".' NI".t q
AS Arthur Stanton opened the bach
screen door and entered the COO
kitchen the sound OF voices and laugh
ter greeted his ears.
Him, still aating the tatted calf,
he said, stepping cautiously into the
front hall to get a view OF the piazza.
well, Dicks back he said, at
length, "and I'm a mean sort Of q
chap not to be glad for mothers sake,
After all she is his mother as we'll
as mine" He thought OF the happy
smile and felt bitterly that his years
OF devotion had not brought that
smile to her face or that light to her
eyes.
well, I'm a dog. in the manger, ]
an" he said, rousing himself sharp
ply. He prepared to join the crowd
out front.
Then someone said a few words In
a low, sweet tone and broke into q
merry laugh. He started suddenly
and listened.
,"Helene is out there. too" and a
feeling OF uneasiness, which had both
cred him for days, now expressed it
self in a fear as he heard his brothers.
voice and Helene's laughing answers
as, Dick to have everything?g he
wondered fearfully.
Dick was good looking. with q
winning wayabout him that attracted
people and disguised the s%elfshness
beneath, and now his return wealthy.
after years Of travel and adventure,
wove a spell Of romance about him
Arthur could imagine the effect Il
must have on Helen. He felt the
spell himself at times as Dicks hand1jl
some face lighted as he told of hN
adventures. u
Fe dared not think what the loss Of
Helene would mean. The inspiration OF
her love had meant much to him, and
this summer II things had gone right
Something choked up inside Of him
as he heard her happy laugh again.
He stumbled upstairs to his room
and changing his business suit for an
old one decided to go out and work
in the garden at the back until he
felt in a better mood.
He went into the Toulouse and be-
gan gathering the necessary tools.
Someone entering the summer kitchen
caused him 10 stop. A screen door
separated the Toulouse and the
kitchen, and he could e his mother
and Helene plainly. although the
darkness of the Toulouse prevented
them from seeing him.
He did not wish to meet them In
his old clothes, they would be sur,
prlsed he had not Joined the crowd,
so he decided to remain hidden.
Helene set some Of the glasses from
the tray she carried Oh the table, and
said brightly:
ITS open house today, Mrs. Stan
ton"
"Yes," she answered, u guest
nearly the whole town has called on
Dick"
"You are very happy, Mrs. Stan
TONI" the girl said qu%estioningly.
"Yes, my dear, happy as only a
mother can be who has watched and
waited and prayed for 10 years, and
has had her prayer answered"
sand to think he has returned
covered with gold,'" Helen said, and
though the hidden watcher despised
himself for an eavesdropper he
wished he could see her face.
A strange look came into the mo-
theirs eyes and deepened into a
shadow which covered her face as the
girl went on slowly, Il suppose he
could buy up half the town, while
' Arthur"
The mother laid her hand on the
girls arm; a look OF fear was In her
eyes now. a..
Helene" she pleaded, "let me say
|. something.
dick has returned, covered with
| gold,' and apb A the
gold, but fotsnfy Boys return. AlIthe
oaId 80 ~ Hnurtrv oo,,ld MT b1ot tho