The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-08-02

newspaper SynulC4te.l
The professor stopped as he was
passing the little house next door. for
there on the swing sat Miss Martha
Tflbridge, crocheting.
a little warm for so early in the
year. he remarked, Pleasantly. !;
seemed although that these two had
been neighbors for years they never
rot past the convention subject OF the
weather or how much better the lilscs
were doing this year than last
Martha dropped the flny bundle In.
TO her lap, not losing her hold on the
thread. It certainly is, she agreed.
Just awful! ] guess you'll be glad
when schools over.
Indeed shall, he assented, as he
turned into the walk next door. He
was quite up on his own porch aud had
his hand on the screen door before
Martha had the courage to ask:
How are you getting along. since
Mrs. Gold went away!
Pretty we'll. Her niece Is here to
look after me until she returns.
Does she cook?
Yes-she cooks.
Well. Il can do anything for you
wish you'd let me know. ID be ve7y
Z glad to help.
Thank you. shall. smiled the pro.
lessor, and In an instant the doc- was
tshut behind him.
Ny, but wish had his teeth when
he smiles! sighed Martha end, not
realizing that her words weren't e1.
actly what she meant at all, she sat
a minute idle. but her thoughts were
( buster than her hands. That's ,hift.
less creature that's keeping house for
him now. suppose It's the best he
could do, though. Men are such help.
less things completely at the mercy OF
women. tell you, I'd hats 10 be al
the mercy Of that one that's in there
now. You Just ought to see the color
OF that washing she hung out tiIs
morning! And II the poor dear man
isn't dead Of dyspepsia In week It
I won't be her fault, for the airs full OF
Tried grease all the time. Well, guess
I'd better get cup OF tea. do be.
heye he'd like piece Of that nut bread
OF mine. I'll take over plate Of It.
So, rolling up the work. she went
back into the kitchen. Then, before
thinking of her own lunch. she fixed
~ the professors treat, covered Il
with napkin and took 1t over the
back way. The clcthesline was d..
rectly across her path and she had to
dodge various articles OF wearing ap.
parel as she vent.
Suddenl; her sharp eyes made dis.
soverr-a hole right In the breast Of
4 one OF the professors fine white shirts
The housekecper had complained to
Der at one time about his propensity
for splitting acids upon himself IN the
Laboratory and what a time she had
with his nending. Handing the plate
to the girl at the door, she though, to
herself. And It will be long day be.
fore you'll mend any one else's clothes,
milady, with your own fairly dropping
OF you for want OF few stitches.
Returning. her eye again sought the
shirt with the gap IN the front as large
Us q butter plate. II would be Just like
him TO put that one on for church next
Sunday. too. Men are so queer! I
wish had his mending TO do all the
time! That shirt he had on today had
% patch on the front and the lavender
stripes weren't even matched and that
housekeeper had put It in with ma.
chine. too!
Martha ate her lunch and the pro-
fessor went back TO school. The
street quieted down and Martha pre-
pared for nap. Then. remembering
q waist that was minus a button, she
got out her sewing basket.
Then It Just happened that she look.
ed out Of the window IN time TO see