The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-12-06
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
The Touch Of a Baby Hand.
BY SUSAN E. CLAGETT
Copyright, 1916, by the NJ .lu:e
Nov sDaper Svndica,g


Newspaper Syndicats,
n ADELINE GRAHAME was worn
N out mentally and physically
There was nothing the matter
with her except strain from overworE
Ind little nagging worry at the back
Of her brain that she had ignored
FOR many months. but that lately had
forced itself into the foreground and
compelled recognition. When she
found she must take it seriously she
hropped her work and sailed for New.
Poundland.
The first two days out Shc had deck
and dining saloon to herself. and 1t was
not until the steamer reached Halifax
that the tables began 10 III. Then. to
her CONSERVATION. she saw the man Of
all others she did not wish to see
the man. in fact from whom she was
running way.
He was at dinner and his back was
toward her, so she slipped unseen from
The saloon 10 her chair on deck TO face
her dilemma There was no avoiding
him. That she fully realized. but be-.
fore she could go further in her
thought she heard him say:
Right here. Steward. there seems
room for another chair" and chair
and rug and Peter LaDsdalc took pos.
tesston OF tie space beside her.
There was an instant's silence AS
they looked straight into each Others
eyes, and then he laughed.
Did you think would not find you.
Madeline?"
Not after knew you were on
board; before then, yes. You have Civ.
en me a surprise. Why did you Gomez"
She asked the question pleasantly. but
she was tingling with ill-suppresscd
Irritation that she could barely control,
The irritation was against herself at
the comfortable feeling that had come
pver her at tho sound Of his voice.
Peter Lansdale always gave her this
Pense OF security and well being.
Whether 1t was his bigness, his force.
Jul honesty. his genial laugh or his
confidence in himself that inspired
confidence IN others, she could not
have told, but she felt his influence.
She loved him. This she acknowl.
edged, but she felt that in marriage
she would sink her personality and
become, II not nonentity, something
very near to it. She had filed her own
particular place in the scheme of
things too long to give up her indie.
pendence willingly for the seclusion
bf home. She was also afraid that
In an unguarded moment he would
learn how much he was to her. She
laced this thought now. For the mo.
nent 1t had been for gotten in the peas
IRE OF his presence, but It returned
With force as he said slowly:
Il had the feeling you were going
lway and made it my business to find
out where. Don't blame your sister.
She was loyal to your wish | should
hot be told, but that small nephew OF
yours took me into his confidence and
Rfter five minutes talk broke ev.
cry speed law that has been enacted
and just made train connections.
reached the pier as the gangpank was
pulled aboard. Do you think it was
butte fair not to tell me you were go.
ing away?" he asked abruptly.
ut was a sudden decision" she re.
piled rather lamely.
He did not seem to hear her. you
ask me why came. Because | knew
you could not get away from me: that
we would have ample time to thrash
out our differences, time for me to
convince you OF the futility OF your
present attitude. You have evaded
me long enough Before we return
think our understanding OF each 9th.
Or will be perfect"