The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-08-15
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
A Thief By the Way.
BY A. w. Peach.
copyright, 1919, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)

where his artists eye mad senseo
the beautiful view that lay to the
southwark. He spent some time seek
Ing the best position from which to
sketch; and he was in the midst of
The process of jotting down the lines
which were to help him hold the scene
In memory until he reached his studio,
when his eye caught sight OF fast
moving automobile on the road below
the hill.
The car looked familiar, but the
driver did not. She was nothing more
than a vision OF rosy wilderness that
flashed into view and passed.
AmeA rose to his feet. by George!
that car looked like mine, but that
vision of loneliness driving 1t didn't.
Wonder what's up?" he questioned
himself.
He hurried back around the brow of
the hill, and looked across the field to
the spot where he had left his car
standing. The car had gone. Ames
stared at the place where it had been.
refusing to believe his eyes. He had
to in the end. The placid summer
sunshine lay on the road but his cher
tshed car had vanished.
"Stolen under my nose by some &C
complished young lady thief" he NUT
tered, recalling rumors he had heard
Of a gang of clever automobile thieves
who had worked in the vicinity the
previous summer And have six
mile walk into town unless some good
Samaritan picks me up"
There was nothing to do but walk it.,
and Ames started out on the uncom-
Portable tramp, knowing that he was
not on the main road and that the
chance of lift was poor, and growing
hotter all the time, as he thought owe:
the bare-faced stealing of his car.
1t was late afternoon before he ap-
peared in the outskirts of Ellwood,
hotel, cleaned up and made tracks for
guardians Of the law held forth.
There he explained what had hap
pened, and received some earnest ad-
vice to the effect that the laws of the
state required an autoist to have some
means OF locking his car Wien he left
1t. He was also told that every effort
would be made to locate the car.
He left the dingy brick building with
not much more than half hearted, for
there was small chance of locating the
car among the thousands that came
and went through the summer re-
sorts.
AS he thought 1t over, however, his
mind ran not so much to his car but to
the question OF the girl who had so
brazenly made way with 1t. He hao
oh arls 30 Mo ~ 10
and rosy cheeks; sac would be thief
worth catching, and he hoped that luck
would be with the police.
He had almost forgotten his prom
lse to attend q garden party that even
Ing, and he was forced to make haste.
Nine o'clock found him, however, being
led by friend through the bother
some process OF introduction.
He ran the gantlet safely and had
retired - \ corner OF the brightly
lighted garden, when he stopped shorl
and stared in the direction OF the
house. His trained eye had caught
among the shifting faces, the many
colors, profile that reminded him OF
the face he had seen passing in his
ear.
81 have it on my BRAIN" he mutter-
I'd to himself, and turned to chat with
the fri I'D he had accompanied. An
other gIance stirred him to action,
however, for the girl had turned in his
direction; and he saw gay, rosy face
looking at him with no recognition.
Ames asked his friend for an imme-
date Introduction, and a moment la
ter he was meeting Miss Alice Hoyt."
Her dark eyes were inscrutable as
she lifted them smilingly to his. II
she knew him she was covering her
knowledge well. Ames wondered as he
chatted with her what might be hid
den under the dark, merry eyes. Could
she be one Of clever gang, trained
70 do the society act for less accom-
plished pals?
y He drew her aside, and she seemed
to be very willing to go; In fact lit
lie later, she said to him, I'VE are not
needed here, and l am longing for
some fresh air. Will you take a run
with me around the lake? Since you
are q stranger must show you what
Ellwood Is at night"
He was more thar ready, and follow
Ing her dark head he stole away to the
car standing in the lane near the gar
age. He had given up as ridiculous
ally thoughts u ueT pel1S Tue LQl6I
and his thoughts were running more
70 some campaign by which he could
claim her for himself during the re-
mRinder Of his stay, But as they
stopped at the car, his thoughts took
somersault. It was his car to which
She was calmly leading him.
He made sure by getting glance at
the number. Now, what the deuce Is
going ONT" he asked himself,as he set
lied himself beside her.
She was skillful driver, and soon
they were sailing smoothly along the
great lake drive, His thoughts were
n iumbles Of only one thing was he
eertaln-he was finding in her gay,
eomradely personality something he
had found In no other of his girl
friends,
He came to himself with a bounce
'wAenI as they slowed down at the
northern end OF the drive. blue-coat-
I'd tgurS thrust itself In frunt of the
ear and heavy, threatening voice
said sharply. SHalt!S
she stopped the car with n word of
surprise. and the 6lRecoat came to tho
wheel ~1tiss, you are under arrest.
Tara around and drive back To head