The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-05-06
THE DAILY
BSHORT STORY
AnnaI,el's Godson.

Dt chap, for Annabe! had always IKEA
the name Peter. Her sister chose one
named John, and her chum, preferred
Henry, but Annahel stuck 70 Peter.
Annabers brother had brought home
the list of names from his camp, they
were lonely fellows, every one Of
them, he said, and would appreciate
letters from some nice girl sn tue
girls wrote, friendly. whimsical let
tsfs, or motherly letters. full Of ad-
vice, as they saw fit. Annabel started
out by being motherly She was sure
that Peter would not know enough 70
take ginger tea if he cot neuralgia.
and he needed directions for sewing
on buttons. But Peters first letter.
TO her quite upset this attitude. Eri-
IDENTIFY he took her for an unintere5t.
ing old lady. and that would never
do. So Annahel wrote like very
young girl, gay and a bit slsngy. And
Peters answer was grave. perhaps
little disappearing. Annabel troTn
ed over it, much puzzled.
Now, what kind Of person IS he,
anyway" she asked herself He
might be stupid or embarrassing, OF
else-I can't tell single thing from
the way ne writes"
The girls had neglected TO get lie.
tailed descriptions OF each soldier
from Herbert; indeed it was doubtful
whether he knew them personally,
anyway. Annabel felt herself con.
bumed with strong desire to visit the
nearby CAMP and see what Peter was
like.
Her brtoher Herbert, quite oh,
durats on the point Of describing Re,
ter.
See for yourself" h" urged. He
and some OF the other fellows are go.
Ing to reception at your club on
Saturday. You ought to be able 10
pick him out--your own gcdson.'
There were great MANY soldiers at
that reception. 1t was one Of those
friendly affairs arranged expressly for
the entertainment OF boys far away
from home. And it was the duty OF
the girls, as hostesses. TO make the
holders feel at home. When Annabel
arrived the party was in full swing.
YOUNG men in khaki were grouped
about pretty girls in gay gowns. some.
times several to one girl, sometimes
several girls to one soldier Everyone
seemed to be having a good time. An
mabel swept the room with search.
Ing glance. If Peter was there it was
quite evident that some ore had pre-.
empted him. How, among all these
strange men, could she find her re
ter?
And then her eye fell upon a very
plain apparently very shy young man
who stood alone in far doorWay, az
though he had just arrived and was
quite uncertain what to do next. It.
was her obvious duty to make him feel
Ct HON, so Annabel crossed the room
and told him she was glad that he
had come, and all the other pleasant
things that hostess is supposed to
say. The young man looked at hel
uncertainty, and turned quite red. He
was a very shy young man. They sat
down and talked sketchily OF the camp
and the war in general and the club.
house and everything that could nos.
etbly seem interesting. But converse.
ton Jagged, nevertheless, and no 9th.
er Joined them to ease the situation.
Annabel began TO feel a little des0er.
ate. Here the whole afternoon was
going and she was tied to this stupid
boy without even a chance 10 looh
tor her Peter!
"You don't happen to know a-Mr.
Winslow among the soldiers, DO
you?" she asked him suddenly.
Again the young soldier turned red.
I "Why-yes, that is my name" he
returned.
"ohl" AnnabeI exclaimed, and ad-
ded vaguely, ~ think perhaps I've
heard my brother speak Of YOU
But she was conscious OF ver,.
Keen disappointment. FTe did not know
hat she was his godmother, and she
would not tell him. either! 1t would
make him SILVER than ever il he knew
That he had been writing to her, and
anyway, she had rather lost interest.
The surprising thing about it was that
his letters were so interesting. when
ne was, apparently, such a stupid
Young man!
Some one else came up lust then.
and after decent interval Annabel
made her escape. She did not want
to stay at the reception any more,
sitter all she had accomplished what
she came for. Fenceforth her letters
70 Peter Winslow should be- chiefly
shout the weather, current events,
ma other topics which should concern
= sodmother OF course. she meant
% 90 her duty b. him. but as far as
interest was concernei--.
She was so wrapped IN in he,
thoughts that she ran square into 4
tai soldier who was Just coming
through the doorway.
-beS your pardon" he exclaiu
go, ~ contrite tones. ID id hurt
Hol?"
"oh, no-that is--no YOU didn't"
Annabel smiled, "a, vas my fault,
And then(quite curiousl2 :hey stood
Bill and stared ct ore another, ouer.
W, Tor almost A minute.
Now where Annaoel was tie first
TO speak, have seen you before
n have, somewhere"
y remember, even il you don't. II
Mss IN the eighth grade. way back
u Qldport. You sat across the aisle
slroIa me and you used to wear blue
sailor suit. Your name is Annabel
lAmes." go
(, Annabel gasped. -
4 OF course! remember, only
how you've grown"
They both laughed.
:. oCAnna In and 81 an... -. l., /,