The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-04-28
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
The Surrender of Sybil.
By LINCOLN RoTHeLUM.
Copyright 1919, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)

keTOTTDN wonder" said Mrs. Bald
win, one sunshiny Saturday al
ternoon to her husband, "how
Sybil manages to retain the friendship
Of Harvey Pendleton."
what is my girl up to again." smil-
ed Mr.. Baldwin, with merry twinkle
. In his eye,
Nothing dad" laughed the girl,
who in a demure frock OF checkered
organdie with its large Quaker collar
seemed to personify innocence OF any
accusation OF coquetry. Just because
Harvey has asked me to marry HIM,
and l didn't say no, mother says
cannot go anywhere with any one
else.
"Mother is right" responded Mr..
Baldwin. the verdict coming in 80 me-
chanical tone as II OF habit, that
sybil laughed afain.
"That's the trouble with you men,"
she affirmed with determined man
ner In the wisdom Of her years. "As
soon as you win your wish. you be-
Iieye the battle is over. And further
more" this with very decided stroke
OF her pretty head, which nearly upset
the carefully arranged hairdress. I'm
not 30 sure ! really care for Harvey. :.
Mr. Baldwin frowned Guilty OF
having aumored his only child from
the moment she was old enough 70
grasp the fact that she could get any
thing she desired provided she leased
long enough. he now found difflcu,ty
in restraining these very factors ne
had so innocently fostered.
"You ought not to keep the young
man in disauieting suspense, Sybil, as
he has great cares on his mind.
"Great cares! Pooh! Why, ! could
sell stocks and bonds" the pert brag.
eadocio announced, pointing well
nnanicured finger at her small sell.
"l,erhaps." And as Mr.. Baldwin
razed with admiring love at his pref
ty daughter, he thought that, as t y
as personality was concerned sne
would make most excellent saies-
man even IL her stocks IN trade were
refrigerators and her territory Green
land. But in addition to his own 6us-
mess" Mr.. Baldwin continued. pen
dleton is also in the government ser
sdce."
"What is he doing?" cross examined
his uuestioner, still unconvinced.
Mr.. Baldwin sputtered. IT am not
at liberty to say"
ooh. Of course" and the highly in
dignant young lady with the air OF an
abused martyr, skipped up the star.
wav to slip into a charming street
costume of tinted yoile, which hung in
soft folds to her small figure.
A wooden clock over the fireplace,
TIA sides bulging with hideous gargoy.
les IN miniature (Syba had won 1t al
aswar bazaar and insisted on its prom
inent nosition), had Just struck two
when She seated herself at the piano
and nlayed the novelty bits OF the day
in catchy time. 30, .,,.oa
her mother, feeble note OF Fem ~,
STRANGE creeping into her voice. me
banging melodies she knew rom e4-
nerienc3 we're the forerunner Oh an
ether expedition Of her daughter. me
ennerfluous excitement was thus re-
lieved. e..so,,,n, /.
"Alone?"
"No, with Jean Prichard."
"Jean Prichard?" repeated Mrs.
baldwin in amazed ignorance, casting
q heipless and hopeless glance OF ap-
neal to her husband who satin ag'
Erayating silence. who, may ASK
q. Jean Prichard?"
aYou may. Jeans duck OF a fel-
tow inst from over there. Hes
INT further details were interrupted
by ring at the bell announcing ane
arrival Of the subject OF their con
yarsation, o dapper fellow dressed IN
extreme fault whose RAPID
shifting Of eyes did not induce conn-
dence. Sybn sensed storm approach
ing. and to prevent hostilities waited
tsft few moments after the forma!l-
mas Of the Introduction and the couple
left. ~, -
foreign-looking fellow" remonstrat-
Al ME-. Baldwin to her husband. u DO
nnt approve of this treatment OF Har-
vey Pendleton."
he hnrseH had danced attendance up.
ON his wife while she made up her
{ mind whether she could love and obey.
aperhans We had better forego being
suburbanites and move from the VII
iaee back into town again"
The bells second sounding usnered
IN q strapping, bronzed man OF COM
nailing appearance. The business-like
sevArfty OF his clothes seemed to en-
nhasize rather than detract from his
!. muscular development.
5fNr. Baldwin arose with alacrtty.
Hello there, Pendleton, "and he shook
ands cheerily.
B where's sybtl tonight" the young
man asked as he paid his respects TO
Mrs. Baldwin.
aJust gone out for while" was
the piacating response from the DIP.
iornatic mother. BE seated and spend
lie afternoon with u.s."
aDon,t mind II do. Have had
uretty strenuous week and am pretty
weH tuckered out" he added, al
though his patent vitality beled the
wnrdM "Wish Sybdl were here"
M baldwin felt called upon to as
ajat h the conversation to avoid men
fion u HIS wilful daughter. Eyes l
s,iupose during this reconstruction pc
rind YOUR activities would be greatly
increased" he sidetracked with q very
knowing look to the young man, who
responded to the lead.
siThe social lead does create little
trouble." He paused and seemed to re-
cali the purpose Of his visit. with
whom did Sybil go out?"