The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-07-03
HEDAILY
SHORT STORY
Diplomacy and Indifference.
~ CATHERINE cRANMER.
(copyright 1915 by the Mcclure
Newspaper syndicate.)

NVpyfIbut 1S4V Wy tiib puCSluE0
Newspaper Syndicate.)
That Mrs. Della Pennington was
expecting her distinguished son for a
long visit was the most momentous
piece of news that had reached days
burg for many a day. Particularly did
II interest the mothers of manageable
daughters as well as the daughters
themselves! Merchants had an unpre-
cedented demand for dainty materials
and trimmings for summer dresses,
and dressmakers had to sit up nights
oscome anywhere near satisfying the
demands made upon them.
Jpcacally everybody in town re-
n6adr Lewis Farmington's letter arti-
Giles describing the customs and peo-
pies OF the distant parts Of the world
: TO which his diplomatic service had TAX
en- his. Old school Biographies were
dragged from high shelves In dark
closets and Burma and Bagdad anu
Persia had the honor OF being assIdu-
ouslys studied and discussed.
In the town perhaps the only Rirl
who kept the even tefor of her why
In the general fever of anticipation
was Lydia Robb who continued to en-.
10y tennis, allowing her smooth arms
TO become sunburned and her saucy
nose to gather a flock Of tiny, brown
freckles. The afternoon OF Lewis Far.
mington's arrival, when the other girls
were either out In their smartest at.
ternoon toys or were swathed in cold
cream and beauty sleep as preparation
for possible evening conquest. Lydia
was playing tennis with her brother.
Mother, dear" said Lewis, as they
passed up the quiet street in tho VII
1ngel bus, Tets have things all to our
selves this summer. I've time only for
YOU and for my book. and the fewer
functions we haveto attend the better
II will suit us both, l fancy"
"1idojwant to make the most OF our
first opportunity In years to be to-
gether, and even be a little selfish,
I'm afraid, but the people in town are
quite astir with expectancy over your
visit The mothers proud smile
made the big. dark.eyed man at her
side flush under his tanned skin.
u suppose they do take an interest
IL htieiioWbWuo oFiHbs tiletu bOluetulnS
from the big world outside their small
one" unused Lewis, and a moment lat
en- Jas he glanced from the window OF
the old bus he saw Lydia Robb lightly
swinging her tennis racket and send.
ing a ball to her partner with easy
grace, he exclaimed by George. there
area couple Of youngsters who don't
seem to need anything from the out
side. All, mother, youth is the prize
but we never appreciate 1t till It be.
Einsto CO.
"There now" said his mother, laugh.
ing won't have you talking as II
You were getting old. It's because
you've done so much in your life that
you talk of youth beginning to 60 at
thirty. But here we are at home, and
no thoughts Of the years past or to
come shall spoil single hour OF our
summer together"
Invitations to teas, garden parties,
and dinners made Lewis Pennington
fear that he would either have to ago.
nize the villagers or give up all hope
ofmaking any Roadway with his book.
He moved his workshop into the sum.
merhouse where he couldn't hear the
telephone ring, but 1t developed that