The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-10-23
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
A Movie Event.
BY MARcELLA HAYss

BY MARcELLA HAYES
.(Copyright, 1915. by the Mcclure
<. Newspaper syndicate).
1.-THE lights went out. the curtain
rolled up and the empty white
square flashed on the screen up.
on which, In a minute or two. would
follow thrilling scenes OF love and
adventure In FINLAND. The orches.
ira played Here Comes Tittsie," and
altogether It was moment OF general
expectation. Mrs. Smith rolled up her
crochet work and stuck 1t into her
bag. looking aniously between times
at the empty seat beside her.
7 wonder II he's sick?" she worried.
Il Just thought yesterday when no
came In without an overcont that he'd
catch cold. Seems to me the folks
nt homo ought to take better care OF
him"
4 Then he came. stuck his hat in its
\ place and pulled down the seat.
I'm little late" he said.
Yes. and was worrying. You had
no overcoat on yesterday and It was
cold. I'm glad to see you've got 1t out
today" 1t vas the same way last
week when you came in all that drizzle
with no umbrella. Your folks oughn't
to allow you " do those things
why. yes. Haven't you got any?"
Yes. a daughter, but she isn't at
home"
DO you mean you live by yourself?"
y Yes. What's wrong about that?"
Nothing. Onl.l-. Well you're
40 worse Off than | am. I live alone,
too. Alfred. NY son. has been away
Tor more than year."
You don't say!" His tone lacked
interest because. the butcher and bak.
or and candlestick maker having ad.
verased all their wares. the coming
attractions having been announced and
the operator shown his number, the
name Of the ensuing feature was Civ.
J en-, followed by tho faces OF the cast.
Then the man sighed deeply.
Don't you like the Keystone com.
edtes?" she was impelled by her curl.
osity to ask.
"Oh, yes, they're all right, butt
may as we'll tell you, When I was
getting some winter things out Of the
trunk today-and came across
SUM Of Mary's-dolls al things she
had when she was little-and I've
been thinking about her all day. And
mere Just before left the house didn't
Q letter come from her chuck full Of
news. Shed been working in an office
but she had an offer from photoplay
company. Mary's awfully pretty-cur.
y hair and big eyes aud everything.
snes acting now and getting along
dne, she says. She is getting flfty dol.
lars week and says she Is going to
send for me soon."
y isn't that just fine?" sympathized
Ibis neighbor.
Yes, but that isn't ALL Here she's
gone and engaged herself to a chap,
going to be married In a month";
you don't say! That's too bad
when she's doing so we'll"
But she won't give I'D her acting.
She'll 90 ahead with that after she's
married same as now. think It's
queer. ] guess I'm an old fogy, may.
be, but can't get used to it. | don't
know whether I'll 20 or not. Don't
like that"
The audience grew noisy over some
capers OF the police squad falling
downstairs, but Mrs. Smiths sympa.
thettc eyes were on the man beside
her. The doings In the rectangle were
nothing to this drama.
Il guess you're right" she nod
ded. my sons In New York, too,
working and making good money. He
sends me plenty, but keeps writing for
ne to break up here and 60 to him.
It's a queer place though and I've
Always been afraid to make the change
There! Isn't that disgusting the way
those people beat each other UP. l