The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-01-05

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Pred 1.audreth," said ne.
1 I'm 11 your man" returned Landreth.
and eiEned for the message. He tore
oDen the yellow envelope ana Patricia
saw his face grow grave.
SIS It bad 1ews?" she asked tirntd-
-Read." He handed her the paper,
mines at Fl PaSo blown Up. Gen
erzI Instruction. Much damage
is it very bad. do you suppese?'
Even as she asked. Patricia suocoo-
sctopsIy wondered why we are prone
to ask futile questions in times oil
':Ths message sounds like it. Prob
ably all machinery Is ruined.
ooh, Fred. I'm so sorry. hope
things aren't as bad as they seem
Voice and eyes were sympathetic.
.:Thank YOU. Pat Good wishes help.
must 20 and tell Ada and the War
renS. may have to start back to-
night"
He went over to the piano and said
a few words to Alice Marshall. the
gay strains of the fox-trot stopped ao-
aPiease take my place little while,
She said to Ress, xho sat near by, and
left the room with Landreth. Patricia
slipped away to the Yeranda. She teIt
as II she must be quiet few minutes
to get a grip on herself.
''They mustn't see me SO upset. II
would seem strange.
Through the hslf-opeo door Alice re-
turned and called the others to ner.
They stood In a little group. talking
earnestly, and Mr. Warren came down.
Sts{Fs and left the house AS they
went on the light shone on their faces.
and from her shadewy corner Patricia
observed that Landreth wore look
of grim determination.
Unable to bear the suspense, she
Joined the others, and learned that
Landreth had gone 70 send some te4e-
grams and find out about trains.
.'He may START tonight" explained
Bess. Mrs. Marshall says the wedding
mas been postponed. But If l were III
Ada's place and loved him. I'd want
10 20 and help him. wouldn't you?
yes Patricia made tense answer
and excused herself to so upstairs.
She felt that she could not stay and
discuss the situation.
On the way to the room she was
Obliged to pass Mrs. Warren's door.
crumpled attitude. so different from
her usual erect dignity. touched Pa
tricia's tender heart. Impa!Sively she
started to go in, then. seeing Ada and
her sister on the sofa, and fearing
that her coming was inopportune, she
started TO Withdraw; but they hau
Come in, dear" called Mrs. War
ZEN Were in great trouble
II know-I've heard. Oh. I'm so
sorry. But surely things will all come
out right in a little while. 1t VIII only
mean delaying the wedding
Ada says there will be no Wedding
declared Alice Marshall
There won't Ada's slender figure
looked tense and defiant. but her dark
eyes were piteous. Mrs. Warren be
gan to cry afresh.
Nov that the blowing up OF his
mine has probably changed his for
tune. Fred chiyaIaously gave Ada 4
chance for reIeaSe-and she gave him
back his ring. To think Of a Warren
breaking faith with man because
he p,as down" ScoFn rang in Alice's
honest voice.
ut wasn't that broke In Ada. at
was because l thought it the right
thing to do-Dcst for the Happiness Of
all We two are not the only ones
concerned. Yesterday afternoon l got
2 letter from Howard Vance
Here Alice interrupted I knew he
was back OF it all
Patricia thought OF the letter she
had delivered to Ada, and sudden
memory recalled the story she had
heard OF a suito- OF Ada's Of whom
her family disapproyed.
He still cares in the sar1e old way.