The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-12-17
J THE DAILY
HORT STORY
WIEN A MAID LAUGHS
sy BERTHA 3. MCDONALD.
fCopyIiGht, 1918, by the Mcclure
NeWEpapef Syndicate.)

N44lSAS OSAA4 AA1%PN4SA4SS RS4S LIZ
NV home on the outskirts OF
town and took the little path
along the railroad, he walked as
though he were treading on air. HIS
AeGft was In tune with all the world.
ana the autumn sun, just setting. seem
Led g great pot Of gold at the end OF
1ig days rainbow, beckoning him on
toward everlasting happiness. Lil1ith
had given him to understand that af:-
erloon that she really cared-LiIlith
Who had coquetted with him ever
since she began going away to school
There could be no mistake about her
aetftpde this time, her open encour-
az nent permitting but one interpre-
afay come-tonight?" he had
whispered as he was leaving her.
Try and see" she answered coyIy,
waiting him butterfly kiss from the
ps OF her fingers. And he was going
70 her now. He had determined to
settle the future that very evening,
come what may. and he was thinking
with honest pride as he walked along,
OF the comfortable nestegg In tho
servings bank which he could offer
Lllith. When he was almost in front
Of the house he heard a sound OF laugh
ter and merrymaktng from within, like
WIS singing.
Bother take It," he muttered ''Why
buldn't she have been alone tonight,
e all tfmeS?"
Here he Isl" shouted LiIlith gayly.
answering his ring; Tets make him
gtir the fudge"
He was dragged playfuIly into the
living room, Invested OF outer gar
ments and adorned with a huge ging-
ham apron which L3lIith tied under
g arms.
Domestic roles are very becom-
ing, she whispered with a blushfng
smile which set his heart to beating
9 brisk tattoo. Here's the spoon. and
don't you dare to stop beating until
EiEe You permission"
She closed his fingers over the
spoon with an afEectionate pat, turn
ed the blaze tride higher under the
chafing dish, and then left him to play
q duet with Hugh Birch. Still John
had no thought save that OF being In
1dllith's home for Just one purpose,
eWhtch he meant to accomplish IN spite
Of visitors.
Why All the hfIarity here this even
9ng he inquired casually OF Nell
lakesIy, NO had taken place beside
Inn at the table
Nothing special that know OF. Lii
iust telepoEed late this afternoon
tn she thought chatting dish party
(WGpl6 be fun, so we all came over"
Ldlfth Anderson had resorted to her
old trick OF playing with fire once too
often. John was confident she must
have known what he was coming for
end. with the courage born Of despera-
ton, he decided there was no time like
the present
LIlith. come here" he called.
AThe new note Of determination in his
sudden command startled the girl into
obeytng at once, thing she was not
"a the habit Of doing.
AT your service, captain" she
Knocked saluting, soldier fashion, as
she slipped into the chair vacated by
Nell. Fudge ready?"
don't know thing about It, and
neither do I care rapI" he answered
doggedly- 81 came here to see you
alone and you deliberately planned
owe is like the red, red rose"
she Sang. fnterrupting him, while she
took the spoon from his hand, turned
out the blaze and began beating the
: steaming mass as though her very life
depended upon It Now. fellow citi-
; GEMS" she called out, well soon have
something delectable to please your
sweet teeth, If John will carry it out
20 cool"
She poured the fudge upon plat
ter and held # out to him in such a
aaltfrightened, pleading way that, as
usual, he fell before the spell Of her
wonderful eyes and found himself
carrying the candy obediently to the
back porch. But dash OF the bracinz
night air re-establfshed his determine.
tton and he tore on the apron as he
strobe anErtly into the hall. Must
you go, John?" LiIlith asked tfmidlv.
With 3 faint note OF concern in her
voice.
shan not stay here and have yor
mock me for one more secopdi You
neW-you must have known-I was
coming here tonight to ask you to be
ny VIE, and you've played with ne
Just as long as you're going to. What's
your answer"
he led her into the vesti5aIe and
shut the door. just as the rest Of the
party adjourned to the back porch TO
canine the candy. so they were
'Win you marry me?' he went on
taxing her face between his hands snd
raising her eyes to the level OF his
cWn- Answer mc-wiIl yoE::"
~ a Pee0 OF oyStef1cai' mocking 1eugn.
was her only reply, and John Law.
Eeaee left her, going out without an
pther word. As re walked along Tho
railroad track, taking the short en-:
rome, his heart was heavy. ,-iIli;h
nad deliberately laughed in MS face
liter boldly en"cUt3S:7s h:.I IL
{ gpealE- There was oalv one ether
Thought In his mind and that vas T..
8et away from her as far and as fast
y he could.
HS was dimly conscious that the
higtie Of the night express had
sounded around the curve the other
e OF the bridge. but he was too
ply occupied with his own thoughts
% nQttee the misplaced ran In the
track toward which the heavy train
s whirIing with increasing speed
Rum the down grade behind. He had
1Se time enough to jump aside when