The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-03-04

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tternoon for the benefit" and so she
went on with her honeyed words Of
explanation.
AS a matter Of fact, the telephone
bell had been ringing when Stanley
arrived at the house. Tom had drop
ped the armful of paraphernalia that
he had with him on the front porch
to hurry in to answer the call. There
was q chance that it was important
business news from New York. Mean
time his one-time chauffeur, who was
active as chief cook and bottlewasher
and boon companion on the proposed
hunting trip, had stopped at the vii
lage for provisions and Tom had dis
missed the station taxi.
"I'm sure I can dig up something.
Old books we have lots Of" Tom said
over the phone. And 1 have a trunk
full of old clothes somewhere. I'll get
my man to hunt them up. NothfnB
very wonderful, of course, for we have
to wear our clothes till they are worn
out, but perhaps they will be saleable
for q few cents. II really wouldn't dare
to give you anything from around the
house, though l am quite sure there
are loads of useless things. but when
my sister comes out next time she
might discover that 1 had given away
all the family heirlooms. I'll send my
man over with the bundle"
please don't bother" Mrs. Stanley
replied. II shall be delighted to stop.
You may be away on your trip. In that
case, leave the bundle on the front yer.
anda. MY daughter will run down in
the car. My daughter says she has
met you. No, indeed, l should really
rather have her stop for them"
Tom Stanley experienced a decidedly
agreeable turn of memory at the name
of Mrs. Stanley's daughter. Yes, she
was the decidedly pretty vivacious
brunette he had met at his cousins
boarding school. She had told him
that her home was near one OF his
many homes. He had promised him
self the pleasure OF hunting her UP
some time. In fact he had made two
trips to the country with a half idea
Of finding an excuse to meet her again.
But Tom was anything but a ladies'
man and he had merely loafed around
the rambling old house for q day or so
reading beside the open fire that his
man kept burning cheerfully for him.
Today he had intended to start out
after luncheon. He decided to walt till
the girl had called. While his man
prepared the simple luncheon he rum
mayed around the attic for the prom.
Used books and clothes. He got them
ready In a large basket that he thought
could be easily put into the car.
1t was three when Molly called. Tom
had not gone. Even If Mr.. Stanley
should still be In" her mother had
warned her, 'just pick up the bundle
from thesveranda and come away. You
know how people would talk II they
saw you going into his house."
An hour later, Stanley, having
missed the sound Of Molly's light foot
steps on the yeranda and giving up
hope Of seeing her, started OF for his
trip to the hunting club. On the We
randa. he looked for the bundle he had
left there hurriedly when he entered
the house n the morning. It contained
q new fur motor coat, mink lined; two
sleeping rugs, hunting boots, oilskins.
half a dozen new books fresh from the
printers, and two new steamer rugs
In short, his entire outfit outside OF
provisions and arms. He thought per-
haps he had left them In the station
taxi, but a trip of his man to the sta
ton and his w recollection of having
lifted the bundle from the taxi con.
WINGED him this was not the case. Per.