The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-01-08


When Tracey Johnson picked up a
small pearl-colored glove one morn.
ing on the Elevated station platform,
he had no idea that the hand OF fate
lay 6inclosedhwithln its dainty, silk.
lined interior.
johnson was not IN mood for rs.
mancin5 that morning. HI chad begun
the day b.. getting out Of the wrong
side Of he bed: lhehce his temper was
far from amiable. The leaden sky
foretold a long dreary day OF rain.
and the; wind blew cold and clammy
down the damp. wooden structure.
Tracey lost his train and stamped
up and down the station in a fury of
Impotence. 1852
Accordingly, when he saw the soft,
feminine tribe lying at his feet, he
kicked It lightly and then stuffed 1t
into the pocket OF his overcoat.
A faint scent OF yiolets chung to It
and reminded him forcibly and IN
kindly OF Helen. overton. He had
been calling on Helen for two years
and when he had asked her to be his
wife she had assented readily. To-
gether they had planned for a little
home tn the suburbs and Tracey look
ed forward eagerly to the time. when
It would be completely paid for and
ready for occupancy. The thought
cheered his dull evenings in lthe up
town boarding house and gilded the
long tedious hours at the downtown
Office. @a!sA
sThen they had auarrelled. Tracey
c6gldn't remember what 1t was all,
about and in all probability Helen
herself had forgotten the trivial sub
:teetIefpthe Enlargement.
They had gone their separate ways,
tmeetingssonlytas atDstbe
home Of some mutual friend, but al:
ways deporting like distant strangers:
Tracy assured himself that he was
the %happiest mortal alive and that all
he desired in the world was freedom
from the sway of ~petticoats. That
was in the evenings, however. In the
mornings he called himself AZ differ.
ent kinds Of a fool and with uncon.
cealed bitterness contemplated NOV
ing his effects to the funny ward al
Bellevue.
Between times he steadied his
nerves with more whiskey and sodas
than were good for him and worked
sayagely in the dusty solitude OF his
office.
Such is poor human nature, how
ever. He refused to make any
lures towards reconciliations. She
had had time enough to reflect upon
the error OF her ways, perhaps to re-
greet them, and she knew several
addresses by which he might be com.
municated with.
So he put a firm, restraining hand
on the impulse to go back and.
make up" again, but Helen seemed
more alluring more desirable ana
more hopelessly out OF his life than
ever before.
He pulled a handkerchief out Of his
pocket one evening a week later, and
with 1t dropped out a small, pearl
colored glove. The scent OF Parma
violets fhoated up with its recollec-
tons Of the only girl He remember
ed finding 1t on the station platform,
where some girl must have lost it in
the rush for trains. johnson drew 1t
over his fingers with a short laugh at
its diminutive size. Then he paused
In surprise.
Inside the third finger was a shin.
ing gold band with a ruby stone. He
intently examined the inside Of the
ring; without a doubt it was the one
he had given Helen overton. The
initials T. ]. to H. b. were clearly
printed and could not:be a mere coin.
cidence.
1t was a very Joyful young man who
swung downrthe-s teps'ian hour later
and y hailed passingLcar.!S The smile
no wore wasl not theeresultiof cereal.
diet or force Of habit. 1t wasrtthe
outward. sign Of sheer ainwardrjoy. 10
AT the orerton house the maid
directed him to the library and with
the privilege Of long friendship he
went In unannounced.. All the quar-.
rels and differences were momentarily
forgotten. He wanted to see Helen
and understand how she happened to
be wearing his ring. 1t .augured well
for his standing in her heart.
He loved her, and she must love
him. too. But could it be (proud.
Helen overton who sat half.hldden in
the depths of a big chair?' A small,
huddled heap in a shimmering white
gown.
She was sobbing quietly and soak.
ing up several handkerchiefs with the
salty evidence OF diluted grief.
Tracey walked across the room
with a quick, firm step and put his
around the little figure.
Helen, dearest! What has hap
pened? Helen" For a moment
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