The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-08-23
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY

LsHoRlsIoRY
HOW THINGS cANsHAPPEN
BY CATHERINE CRANMER.
(Copyright, 1916, by the Mcclure
Newspaper syndicate.)
VVyHEN Alberta Randall announc.
w ed to her parents one evening
w that she intended to break
away from the w%ell-beaten path OF
her female ancestors by adopting q
career, the effect was much the same
rs II the rusty old Revolutionary can
non on the courthouse square had
opened fire upon her native town OF
Mooresyille.
Now. daughter, no dramatics,''
said her father.
"ISdon't want to be dramatic, faith
o., but I can't face the though of do
ing for all the rest of my days the
atrnless things I've been doing since
! left boarding school,"
Just what specific work do you
propose to do for the rest Of your
days2"" Her fathers directness was
disconcerting.
'TEcan't tell until I've seen more OF
the world, but I've got money enough
left from what grandmother gave me
to gokto New York and look about
until can make up my mind"
ALBERTA" began her mother, with
barely enough breath left to gasp,
ffvnn wouIdF do1;harafaty fhro,r nrr.
2 splendid matrimonial opportunity,
for you know you could marry Lash
ely Graves tomorrow IL you'd say the
word. Why, the whole town knows
that!n
eyes, mother, the whole town
knows everything that any one per-
son in it knows: but IL I marry I'll
marry q man who is making things
happen and not one who sits and
talks of what some Of his ancestors
did"
s"If you go off on this w~ild-goose
Nchase, your chances to meet any sort
OF man except in a business way will
Be few and far between. Have you
thought how you will be looked upon
II you go alone to New York without
9 definite object?" Her father eyed
her sternly.
Eyes, and I may take a course in
applied arts. It will take only part
Of my time, and in my leisure I can
decide upon my permanent work.
Some daylyou1l be proud Of me" she
added lightly.
Some day, about a month after
you land In New York, you'll be good
and glad to come home," said her
father.
"Thomas," said Mrs. Randall, in
dismay, "you don't intend to let her
really attempt this impossible
thing?"
Eyes; let her have a fling at her
career; It's the surest cure for the
fever said Thomas Randall, with
finality, as he resumed his reading.
The weeks passed until Alberta
r dali had been in New York six
months without her fathers predic-
I N coming true. After considering
various fields In which she might
realize her ambition to make things
happen she had decided upon inte-
rior house decoration. as the least
doubtful and discouraging for one of
her talents and training.
Aftersa years hard study, she be-
gan to plan a vacation at home be-
fore taking up headquarters in a stu
do building, but just then her SER
vices were sought by a firm OF decor
ators whose appreciation meant much
to o beginner in the profession. They
employed Alberta to furnish and dec
crate a modernized colonial country
house from the spacious porches OF
which the Hudson was visible
through the big trees in the park in
front. She took hold Of the work
with enthusiasm and made a great
success Of the house, as well as Of an
old-fashioned flower garden on the
grounds. OF the owner Of the place
she kenw only what the head OF the
decorating firm had told her-that
he was 60 cranky bachelor with too
many hobbies to bother with what he
considered a woman's job"
When Alberta completed her work
and Started for a visit to her parents
she could not restrain a sigh of re.
greet at leaving the lovely house to Its
eccentric owner, who might not even
appreciate Its beauty"
my dear child" said her mother,
In greeting Alberta, you are much
the same. though changed, too" To
Mrs. Randall a career" seemed q
vague means OF Transforming a wo.
mansinto some unlovely hybrid.
"Sos you fooled your dad by max.
Wing good in the melting pot, did
H.you?p Her faher was very plainly
proud Of her, which made Alberta
very happy.
After dinner the family went out
upon the front veranda, and from
where Alberta sat she could. see
through the trees a low. white stuccc
building surrounded by a smooth
lawn with its gravel walks bordered
with petunias.
who had the ingenuity to make