The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-08-24
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Nv " PEACH
Copyright. 1918, by the Mcclure
Newspaper SyHdicateD

Tue Hoii-iAhlhueu plCluIe on Wul'a
she was at work and stared at Il
With sombre and weary eyes Into
YER mind came the quiet. friendly but
Jlgnincant words OF the instructor
lhom she had given up because he had
Dohon those woTds--"YOu have TIE
Wits instinct and soul, but ! am
nueh afraid you will never gain the
,kill 10 give II expression How the
words came back! And there she
Itood, thinking as he thought fail
lVo n tia field OF effort she had sworn
he wol!d master. The dismal, bat
cred studio ~ which she stood, with
70 chOapnoSs and It's baroness, added
. thd despair in her heart
Suddenly Sds heard steps above her.
hen she Ea1ud o; a humping. bump.
ING something bounding down tIs
toirs. Frightened, she threw open
he door. and discovered the sprawl
ng figure o. q man slowly adjusting
:BGli 20 the realization that Il hau
Allen down \ flight OF stairs.
She fully expected TO hear the ar
iOplsc0d BY an explosion OF more or
sSt vigorous terms. Instead she lool
4 down in.N tho amused face Of the
allen and heard him matter
"AHd great was the fall thereof
believe that is in the Bible some.
Shefe" He glanced up at her as he
DWly rose. Pardon me for disturb
{ you. ! assure you am not in inc
Sbit 1t defending stairs ia that fash.
on, or At that speed"
HiS face contracted with pain as he
balanced himself. and she saw with
Otdon apprehension that he could not
gelS, and before she realized what she
res deiaE she took his arm and led
lin igto her studio and TO a chair.
ne sank into II with a grateful word
, Answer to her query whether or no.
% had broken anything. he remarked:
Nothing 20 poetic o. that. ! cracked
ny shin. but It will be all right in a
'hlle."
AZ his face Strengthened and he was
lugaged In woOing the numbed shin.
bohe. she had time to inspect the
OtSam that had been cast at her door.
u was evidently tall, and beyond any
0ubt thin; his hair was curly and
leht, and his eyes we're blue-an odd
luO, suggesting sunshine and shadow.
was not difficult to guess that he,
ne oil The rest in the dismal old build.
nG was that poor and deluded crea.
pre-, she thOught-a struggling artist.
] must thank you for offering me
liter and kindness. Perhaps ! may
OF service to you hope not in
he capacity" he added hastily.
She answered perfunctOrily, and he
imped out and down the stairs.
She turned back to the picture and
picked up the eFayon, but her fingers
paused and she smiled, She had look
d into pleasant. friendly and under.
handing eyes: and in that great city,
ghere she had seen such eyes but sci.
JON, she felt that she had found a
lrleua.
She had, but trouble was to come.
e stopped that evening, some time,
lekllY, after she had put away the
emaius Of her frugal meal, and
fought his offerings small bunch OF
bWy Violets. Then, because she was
ungfy for eOmpanlonshlp. she invited
p into the studio, and It was not
ng before they were deep in the dis.
sslon OF the art they we're seeking
follow.
The old enthusiasm camo yelling
back as she talked TO him, and the
dark days Of the last week we're for.
gotten. She told him Of her ambition,
|epd be said that he understood. She
old him that she would die before she
would give up her dream, and he
nodded IN understanding. Then he
told her IN turn OF himself and his
ambition, but be did not say to what
extent be would 90 in trying to make
MS dream come true. She felt how.
ever, that they we're Of kindred spirit.
Thereafter the friendship ripened
rapidly, and proof OF 1t came in many
ways. One day, after an all.day trip
anoug the offices, where she had met
|courtesy and kindly words that always
seemed 10 hold something in reserve.
she returned to find q little lunch all
ready.
she was IN despair OF heart and
|mind, and tho touch Of his gentleness
Nas TOO much. She told him Of her
lfuitless efforts, and then the tears Of
WEAKNESS came. and before she real
lied what was happening she found
1eGSelf In HIS arms and his voice was
peaking soothingly.
she drew away sharply, anger at his
Queh rising instinctively. The startled
pain IN his eyes caught the bitter
soTds before they were all spoken.
lnd she went on:
Forgive me, Edmund, Won have
'een q good friend, but l am simply
Slmply-"
\ know" he interrupted gently;
you are worn out, tired and hungry"
e caught her hand as she made a
lelee gesture Of dissent. "Yes, but
'Qn are, and l know II, and -"
And y0u are. too" she broke IN,
most laughing though her tears.
ami" he said bluntly. 80 darned
.ungTy ] could murder a Sanwich
'ap for suggesting one!"
re etarOd glo0mily a. the low.buru.
: fire ~ The crate. After a moment
TUNED . light Of determination in
eyes.
frances, what DO you say? I've
aeWn You for . WOSk-it seems as IFI
bad been friends for years! ! know
Place who're l can get a chance in
4 glHAts Business. Let's throw this
{ ptlf: -. and Est up or down TO
n0thihg = OAt and a decent place
live. VIA. d. YOa Ssy?"
she locked into his flushed, eager
And AAAaae Awaa 49, T.. -