The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-10-09
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
A Frank Opinion.

~ ARTHUR WALLACE PEACH.
copyright. 1916, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)
IA ARK HAYDoN was depressed in
~ spirits. He had spent q lonely
~ evening in the city and was on
his way to the suburb where he
romed. The car was the last one
for the night. and It contained only
two passengers besides himself-a
girl and fiashily dressed young fel.
low.
The girl was slender in figure.
small and pretty OF face and dark Of
hair. She seemed to be restless and
under some kind OF strain.
But Haydon's thoughts rested with
his fellow passengers only brief time.
H. was thinking that something was
wrong with him. For four years he
had worked as clerk In the Office OF
j tbs firm without q raise Of salary. He
had made few friends-and not u girl
had ever smiled upon him. To lone.
.ssly chap a friendly, girlish smile means
o great deal, and Hayden knew 1t.
Il His chief trouble was that he dia
not know what was wrong with him.
He was square and honest in his
dealings. worked hard and was willing
to do others q good turn.
A Light touch On his shoulder drew
his attention, and he turned to look
into the oval.shape face OF the girl pas.
seuger. II was girlish face, and on
It was an anxious, worried expression
that gave touch Of pathos to her
dark eyes. She sank into the seat
hpr
white throat quivering as she spoke
and Q little color showing in her
cheeks.
please don't think me forward, but
that man there has been following
me, think. I've seen him a few times
before. ! live In this section, and l
have quite q way to walk through q
dark street. I'm afraid he may get
OF and follow me. Will you help me?
I-sI-really don't know what TO do.
Idont see how the conductor can help
me. Can you tell me what to do?"
Hayden was dazed for more than a
moment. No girl ever had spoken to
him other than In the course of bust.
ness, and here was a pretty, Brighten.
cd girl asking his aid. He looked
ahead at the man to whom she had re-
ferred. He was broad shouldered and
the shoulders suggested strength. Hay.
don recalled stories he had heard
Something desperate might be done
u such a man were opposed.
The girl was waiting. please don't
think am too easily frightened" she
went on hastily. "He may not bother
me, but can't 60 on any further to
the town, for ! know no one there"
In her state Of mind, her words were
not entirely clear, but Hayden gather.
cd their import. He looked again at
the shoulders, and saw keen, sallow
face glance and then turn quickly
away. A shtver went through him.
There was something cold and sinister
IN his face.
Hayden moved his feet uneasily. az
don't know" he answered hesitating-
". Il don't believe he will hurt you"
He stopped because he realized how
cowardly and insane his words sem.
Cd.
The girls sensitive face flushed
quickly. He saw that she looked at
him with contempt Without q word
she went to her seat.
The car speed on. At last, the girls
hand was raised as a signal to stop.
As she did SO, the other man reused
himself and repeated the signal.
With white face, the girl rose and
staggered down the aisle to tho door,
and after her the man whom she
feared. After they had aligh!cd and
me car had moved away, the conduc-