The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-05-04
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
His Fault.
BY SUSAN e. cLAeETT.
Copyright. 1918, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)


n the woodland road with the cab
\ in branch murmuring at their
feet, Rachel wondered why he had re-
turned to disturb her hardly won ser.
entity, for she was frank enough with
herself to admit that she was dictur-
bed by his proximity. Quite naturally
their steps had turned toward the tree
that been their objective point dur
Ing that summertime When both were
young, but th9:a had been little talk
between them.
She wished . avoid personalities,
yet she could vet brig her mind to
bear upon the ,9,Iaj :c.nsS Dist would
make conversation. Ewn5on, that mad
long been buried. dominated her. and
she was conscious that resentment
more than any other feeling had held
her in its grip; resentment and the
memory Of months ol sD.in-ih@ nov
long past, but still capable Of moving
her, and it was agirst this she re.
belIed; that he still had power to cause
her one moments distress.
But 1t was different with Randolph
Galbost. For the time being he had
forgotten past transgressions and was
feeling to the full her strong person
Atty and yielding to the Joy OF seeing
her once more. He ficked the golden
rod with switch he carried tossed
chip at q chattering chipmunk; his
eyes sweeping the fields, the coloring
woods only to return and rest upon
her face.
|'There Is title change" he said at
last. 1.-THE sumacs are beginning to
Eolor; Their is the same simmer over
Ihere, and verify believe the same
hiinnows are flashing through the wa
Tar" He leaned over the bank peering
down into the branch. Look, Rachel"
HIS voice was excited and he caught
her hand, drawing her forward. Look.
Ther is the same old mullet We tried
DO hard to catch and he is playing the
same old tricks, darling in and ont the
roots, catching tadpoles as he can. No.
Nothing is changed" He picked up
pebbel and dropped 1t into the water
watching the ripples that extended
across the narrow stream. Nothing
except Rachel Talbot, and I am &C.
countabIe for that"
His voice had altered. All the light
ness was gone. "You have no reason
to give me kindly thought, Rachel,
yet is was the hope you still feel an.
interest that was brought me 1ack;
that has kept alive the little spark OF
good there is in me-"
Her voice was low, slightly hesitant,
as she answered. "Let US keep to gen.
t.-,ities. Randolph. 1t will be best"
"Generalities! have not come from
the ends of the earth to talk Of any
thing but ourselves. was in Egypt
when / heard Of your father, death:
far up the Nile. l left for Cairo that
night and was fortunate in catching
steamer for Marseilles. did not
even pause in Paris, such was my has.
te to reach you. And you ask me to
talk generalites. We will not talk al
all, II not about that which brought
me here;
~ had 70 reason to believe you
would come TO me-"
"That is true. But svea before I
knew you were in trouble had deter
mined to return Something happened.
Material as have always been in my
beliefs, years in India ali Egypt have
cast their spell uron me. new give
heed to many things that befo:e We lid
have aroused diresion. II was only a
dream, anl heard YOU calling ME,
calling In eraat distress. Nj ere
night, but night after night. became
obsessed ~ tue fear Of knew net
what and made arrangements to 'eaVe.
Then / head Of your fathers death.
Do you think l will talk platitudes
after that?"
She smiled somewhat sadly as she
watched 4 squirrel scamperlng a.. uss
the wood path. still think It best
not to look back. Their Is nothing TO
be gained By doing SO. and PERSONAL.
ties will make us emotional, something
to be avoided"
We will have to face that. for I
have come to ask you Give NC an.
other chance, Rachel" For an instant
he laid his hand over hers. "YOU are
self-control!ed, selH.constainsd. wO!r.
an, while have always been gi1en 10
extremes. For you gave up my old
companions and forced myself tc walk
! IN that otrl & It and narrow path whhsN
straightness and narrowness needs a
powerful incentive at the further end
to make man, who all his life has
followed the caprice OF the moment,
keep In the middle OF it. Yet for one
small lapse YOU shut the door in my
face, shut 1t and and the greater TEN.
tation was awiting me-"
ooh, I beg of you" she interrupted
in ia stifed voice, why bring it all
! bcck?"
~ must. I do not mean to be cruel,
but me must talk this thing out; talk
It over from an entirely different view.
point At that time you were right. I
realize 1t now. Then I thought differ.
emily, for the accursed spirit Of opposi.
ton that made me obstinate in wrong
had full possession OF me. The years
that have passed between now and
then ! have lived in the Orient and I
have had opportunities in plenty to
sound the very depths o! remorse ard
despair. did not deserve that shut
door, Rachel, but pride and obstiaacy
kept me Silent for appearances were
aginst ne. fet loved you then. I
still love you"
She had turned so that he could not
see her face and the silence lasted so
long he touched her to attract. ler
attention.
Il wrote to you" she said at last.
There were often times | felt that