The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-03-14
TIE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Raspberry Shrub.
tcogyriEht, 1918. by the Mcclure

Newspaper Syndicate.)
TT was a typical summer hotel We
F1HS5sA beast so thought a per.
ling and very mUch disguised
young man, who looked up at it from
the bottom of the somewhat steep and
very dusty hill.
An Adamless Eden, I'll warrant. +"
he muttered, taking another look
ahead at the long walk still before
him. Why on earth was l such a
fool as to come up here, even to
please the Mater. when I was having
such good time with the boys at
camD!"
Now. I suppose I'm IN for an ex-
citing month doing the party with
all the debuntautes the MateriI have
all ready selected ior me. Gee whiz,
but it's hot, and this suit case is hea-
Wy. sure never thought it was sCcn
: a walk! ! must look lovely" and he
mopped his face, and tanned himself
with hit hat
Brown as young Indian from
weeks OF outdoor camp life, and COW
ercd with dust and perspiration, Ger.
tainly no one would have recognized
IN this very bedrasSted young m&n.
Max Harding. whose aristocratic
mother was guest at the hotel or
the hill.
Sowing aercely. he dragged his
heavy suitcase u2 the pzth. oaly 20
be met at the Vcrapda steps by a
pompous-looking Individual who eff
fectCal1y barred his further progress.
Cant come up the front way, fe!-
leh," said the pompous one. An
tradesnen and peddlers. with a
significant look at the heavy case
must go round the back" and he
waved him grandly away.
What the dew and then as
the full significance OF the servant )
remark struck him, Max Harding
burst into a laugh. "'Tra6esneN and
peddlers by Jove. that's a good
one: certainly must look fine" he
thought to himself, and then aloud:
IAN right. Your Highness. I'll so
round the back"-and he went.
Maybe I can sneak in through the
kitchen and get washed up before l
greet the Mater" he thought. 'lf she
ever catches me looking like this
Hello; whew-ew-ew." and he whis-
tied softly, for a remarkably pretty
girl sat directly in front OF the ktch-
en- door. Smelling peas-thus once
more blocking S-is progress.
9Th, probably the assistant
cook" thought he to himself. noting
the neat and very practical gingham
dress. -'Well-hcre goes.
Fave tou moment to spare" he
asked, removing, his hat. and speak
ing in his most engaging manner
Il am sorry,s but l haven't. said
the young woman very promptly,
scarcely giancing up from her work.
.Oh, ho." thought he, mot much en-
thusiasm here" Mas / show you
some of my wares?" with an express
Give glance in the direction of the
suitcase.
man. just as promptly as before:
well, Go you mind il l sit down
on the lawn minute? he hazaTded
for his third venture
''I do not" again responded the
'.fair lady of the peas" taking him
IN with one all-appraising glance.
So Max sank down on the little plot
OF grass IN front Of the house and
leaning his head back against the
building, colsed his eyes.
.sPoor fellow thought the girl. her
sympathy aroused at last, he must
be pretty tired. I'm afraid was ratf-
4r sharp with him. Well. he looks
dark enough for one OF those Syrian
or Armenian peddlers. but he ceTtainT
Nv doesn't talk like one. III Just run
m and get 1aim glass of raspberry
shrub. tn cool him off before he
goes"