The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1917-12-01
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II there was one thing more than
another that Virginia prided herself ON
It was her aloofness. which In this
particular case, showed itself In her
ability to live months at . time In
New York apartment house without
becoming acquainted with any Of her
neighbors.
In spite Of the fact that she had to
earn her own living now, she never
forgot for one moment that she was
Miss Darlington Of Darlington Hall,
Ga.
She occupied the back suite on the
second floor. In the front there was a
young sculptor whom she did not even
know by sight. The rooms above her
own were occupied by Wells Lewis,
an incipient dramatist; the floor be-
low, by an interior decorator and his
wife. On the very topmost floor were
little skylight rooms where several
birds of passage lived, students for the
most part.
The only personal mall she received
was from Terry. He usually wrote
once a week, bfief. jerky, boyish
epistle, full Of complaints, football,
aeats" and ratings at Latin. English
and everything else under the sun ex'
cept mathematics and herself.
This did not bother Virginia at all.
She felt herself responsible for Terry
and his proper upbringing as Car
rington. II she could work and sup
port herself, their slender income
would sufice to send Terry through
school and turn him out civil engi-
neer, as her father had wished.
She had not realized until these days
of early summer how tagged out she
was getting.
"Miss Darlington. you'll break down
II you don't stop working SO hard"
Peggy said at the office, as Virginia
waited to see the buyer for the art
goods department.
Virginia went home that day feeling
rather puzzled. Was that what was
the matter with herr She studied her
face In the mirror carefully. and then
thoughtfully opened letter she had
picked up from the table In the lower
hall. 1t was an invitation from the
Chapins, for her to visit them on their
houseboat over the weekend.
She left that Friday night for the
shore with feeling Of elation, as
though she had escaped from a mild
sort of prison. On the front steps she
passed Wells Lewis. He was person
ally conducting several paper bags OF
surreptitious groceries that Virginia
knew represented Tight housekeeping.
Terry arrived at Mrs. Flnnegan's at
nine o'clock. Lewis heard the alterca-
ton in the lower hall while Terry tried
to explain his, relationship to Miss
Darlington and his rights and priv
lleges In her absence. But Mrs. Fin.
negan was obdurate. 1t might be so
and then again 1t mightn't. She would
take no chances.
II saw Miss Darlington go away
about 8 80" called Lewis over the ban
lister rail. Anything can do? Won't
you come up with me until she gets
backf''
Terry accepted with alacrity. He
not only came up, but he pitched into
the remains of Lewis supper and
cleared 1t up to the last crumb.
Lewis listened sympathetlcally to
everything. even when Terry told how
he had been bounced" from the
prep" school. There had been a lit
tie affair Of guinea pigs, many guinea
pigs hidden all around the assembly
hall on a certain evening when the
younger boys were excluded from 4
senior dances.
| "Some fellows can't TAKE joke"
Terry concluded, scathingly. *I'm glad
to be out of 1t. I'm sixteen and l ought
to be at work instead of letting a girl
sister support me. Wish you could
get me q job before she gets back"
Lewis considered the matter. He
liked the boy. 1t was the age of
specialization.
"I1l help you on your 'math' at
night. / don't think your sister has
room for you downstairs. I'd like 1t II
you'd bunk up here with me. old man,
and keep me company"
Terry loved him for that phrase,
"old man." He went to work the next
morning. and walked in on Virginia
that night full-hedged business man,
with 4 steady job and salary. She
listened to his explanations In silent
amaxement.
'Why. Terry, have only n bowling
acquaintance with this person."
"Weli, we'll nx that" replied Terry,
comfortably. I'm going to share his
room, and pay my bit, 80 you'd better
get acquainted. GIMME. II 1t hadn't
been for him, think where your little
brother might have ended up-lost In
4 great city, while sister was house
boating gaysomely. / invited him