The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-01-14
Daily Short Story
PURPLE AND FINE LINEN

The biz white automobile was out
Tor Its trial Epin-as the men with
Dick Gibson knew. As they also
knew. and a. he half confessed
amid their char. n Il made good on
TINS break neck. nerve wrecking
Journey IL was TO be a yotive offer.
ing 20 Her.
They shot past naples and spread
Ing chestnuts. and skinned lightly
the deep, shadowy stains thrown by
low sun on the shell-lika Wilderness
or the road The drive was almost
deserted. and Gibson opened the
throttle and raced through the air al
pace which made his companions
pun their hats more firmly over set
brows. As they swerved suddenly
around curve. they saw Just ahead
OF them a smart runabout. and in IL
young couple obliyious OF the
world The mans arm. in its dark
sleeve, made sharp contrasting
line about the girls waist. and as
ne held her close their lips met in a
Clinging kiss. The idyilic tableau
was rudely interrupted by a hoarss
honk. konk: and at the warning
sound the man clutched his lines.
steadying the chestnut mare with a
word OF command. The girl. as they
dlsentangled themselves. buried her
race In her hands with swift in
stlnct for preservation. thereby
hlding her identity completely.
kirke's a cad" said Harris. "A
man ought 10 protect woman. and
road"
The addendum was received with
a shout OF derislon which relieved
the tension. and the subject was
dropped. only 10 be renewed that
night az the club.
Loads of EN-" interrup ttSI' Ames
cheerfully: but they were All occu-
pied, What kind do you want?"
Shul up you blithering old owl
retorted Harris with amiable direct
ness. Has any one seen a purple
1t wasn't, purple" said Stewart
titled to speak with wisdom. 1T was
nauve, or something like that. and
Lhe nat was covered with yiolets no
finished triumphantly.
But no one had seen the frock or
tne violet chapeau. and so the quiv-
erlng purple shoulders. and their own
er Identity. remained a mystery
Glbson promptly forgot her. for his
dreams We're all OF the girl to whom
'ne white car was to 20 as n lovers
EiIt-who had promised TO ride beside
Try club-whose blue ewes had an
swered his mating-hi wife that
shoulq be. He anticipated her de-
lisht IN the new car, and was reioiced
mat no could give her costly things.
lot she tas poor-a distant connection
she was
Next day. therefore. when she came
down the broad stairway in Nil
Ohannlngs home. the violets that Glib
son mad sent her pinned against her
breast. the rush Of hanpiness ohlffer-
ated for the moment ali things save
her eyes and her voice. But with re-
turning consciousness came a clearer
view. and her image was suddenly
scared into his soul She wore a close
ntuns SUIT OF purplish hue. and.
sWdthed IN a nlmy veil a Violof-cov-
cred hat! II must be some hideous
mistake u could not be Grace Martin
lhal kirke had kissed-not the girl
ne loved. But the picture which rose
before his dull eyes was too clear.
10y thls time they were. he knew
not now, at the cur5. where the car
couEhed and spluttered lie jerkad
up the bonnet and fumbled needIesslv
over the engine. hiding his burning
race from her. lie could not take her.
ne dared not Take her past the
club 10 that tea ImpOssibie' Dazad
and stunned. miserable. his ideal do.
stroyed, his happiness blasted. he re-
piled AZ last TO her questions wi.b
/ some inarticulate remarks. and under
! pretense or showing her a new build
ing. avoided the club windows BY de-
viOus WAYS
He had time 20 get his breath be-
tore they reached the long. white road
winch led straight TO the grounds OF
/ the country club and 70 the golf tea.
Would you-would you mind lust
taxing q little spin through East park
and going homc?' he asked
Tho girl caught her breath and said
In what tried 10 he n cheerful tone.
Not II you feel Ills your head
aching arain2'
The wisfful note cut him IN the
QUICK. but he scf his teeth grimIv
No. my head doesn't ache" some
perXerse devil prompted him 10 saw
Miss Martin stiffened
'olu promised 90 bring Cousin Kate
and Mr. NcGrUdCCr home" She rc.
minded him COldlv.
y don't think they are going" he
hazardod
Why. they are already there" she
replied. amazed They are pIayipr "a
ioursome with Mary McGruder and Mr..
Kirkc' "
Kirke' DC cIutched the steering
wheel and threw I'm the hirh spoeI
clutch. whorc3t they bounded yiciousIv
l forward So she wanted 10 see Kirko,
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