The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-05-05
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
The Girl in the Case.
By A. w. PEACH.
Copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure

NOoHyAABhI 404o, ny Lu0 mCNluI0
Newspaper syndicate.)
A MES had long been the butt OF
"a the men rooming in the Rand
Apartments-termed the "roost
for ROSTERS only" by the would.be hu-
morist OF the inmates. He was so
homely that a man could, In the
phrase Of another humorist, look at
him once and ever after feel satisfied
with his own countenance.
Ames took the Joking good-natured.
ly-in way that seemed to hint that
he had something up his sleeve; but
that something never appeared. He
was q drummer, travelling through the
southern states; and his visits to tho
apartment where he retained q room,
were always at the holiday season
when social festivities were at their
height.
Il was Ames' hard luck to be forced
to sit around while the others discuss
ed their plans and made their prepare.
ton for dances and celebrations OF a
like nature. He was induced to 20 to
a few, but 1t was plain that he did not
enjoy himself. The girls looking
upon him were inclined to let him dec.
crate the chairs. He was a poor con-
versationalist except with men; SO
the other sex never learned to know
: his sunshiny nature.
The conclusion was reached that he
was doomed to be bachelor for life.
Beattie put 1t thus to him: Jeff, we've
done the best for you we could, but
you're simply non gratis to the girls.
I'm sorry for you; now take me, for in.
stance" And he went on to laud
himself.
1t was all done in fun. but keen eyes
saw Ames' face change; and 1t was
plain that at last he had become wear.
led of the old joke. He drew from his
vest his watch and casually snapped
1t open.
I'm tired OF hearing you fellows
shout about your girls and feel sorry
for me. Now, here's something for
you-look, over that picture, and il you
can match that face with a prettier
one. I'll pay for the dinner" he said
quietly, but smilingly.
Laughter greeted him, but the watch
was passed around; and each face
changed as II came to look upon the
race. Starr, who was the last OF the
circle, was startled as he saw the fair
ohAoa AoSC dRPCuE " HIS RdLe.
He guessed that her eyes must be
dark-probably a brown. her lips had
the curve that is ever inviting; and
her hair was coiled in heavy masses.
He handed the watch to its smiling
owner. JEFF, you have one on us.
Now, there's Just one thing for you to
do;p you must have her at the big
dance!"
A chorus of approval greeted him,
but to each he had smiling reply;
and with each answer he was able to
settle up some old scores.
Finally, he said: You've referred
before to the chap whose mustache
was so red that when he appeared on
the street people thought his nose was
bleeding; and you've put me in his
class. Just mark it down that hand.
some face isn't all there is to It."
There the matter rested for a week.
Ames had sweet revenge, for the
rest of the men were determined to
\ see the One Girl. At least, however,
Beattie. with his usual lack Of tact,
got results.
81 don't believe there is any such
girl-she's a fake!" he announced.
The others in the room saw Ames'
face redden and then whiten. The 81
lenee was q bit oppressive until Starr
said quietly: Bring er to the dance
and show him up. Jeff. Wen make
him stand the dinner II you dol"
Ames seemed to read in their faces
their doubt-the doubt that had risen
at the suggestion in Beattie's thought.
less statement.
His homely face broke into its pleas.
ant smile. "She will be there: and.
Beattie, want you to make good when
l have shown you up" Then he turn.
ed and left the room.
Tho rest felt sorry for Beattie, for a
dinner to that hungry crowd was
usually serious affair as far as a
mans pocketbook was concerned, IL
not in other ways.
As to the question whether or not
Ames would appear with the Mysteri.
pus Girl, there was some doubt. Those
VINO knew him realized that he meant
business; the others were confident
that he would fail to appear.
Durtng the next few days Ames was
often asked about the girl; and his
answer was always easy and conf.
he has something up his sleeve all
nSnI 5eatue said, but no girl as
beautiful as that would ever tie nm
with man with phiz like Ames'"
The night Of the dance came. The
orchestra played their preliminary
concert and then swung into the dance
music, but no Ames and the Girl an.
peafed.
At 8 o'clock Beattie smiled. at IN
o'clock he was grinning, at ii he was
ready to laugh, when he turned IN time
o see coming in the door the tall fir-
are OF Ames and with him a slim.
wrapped figure whose face, peerinr
lmilingly over the collar of her cloat
vas indeed the winsome face Of ths
Girl in the watch. - sA0
There's where I lose two weeks,
Ialary," Beattie groaned TO Starr.
you deserve to lose more" was the
answer as Starr fastened to Ames IN.
tendtng to be at least second applicant
for dance. N''S---S
Ames' triumph was complete. When.
ne swung into the lifting music of the
next dance, the eyes of the hail were
upon him and her. She danced beauti.
tullys so much so that she more than
made up for Ames' awkwardness: and
he seemed to be inspired to the extent
that his large feet assumed a rhythm
unusual to them. N'---'
Her picture had perhaps been q MI
complimentary: but she uas hoa,,.I