The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-06-12

door after leisurely survey OF
the village street, she remarked
70 her sister Annie that Tom was in
sight, 30 they could put the supper
on the table: also that the atmos-
phere felt quite springlike.
When Tom had eaten the supper pre-
pared for him by his adoring women
folk and had changed into his other
suit, he stopped in the sitting room on
his way out. Here his mother and
aunt were sewing
IF you're going TO see Mary
Mrs. Kent laid her work on the table
and started TO arise-"you can return
that recipe she lent me-"
sit down, mother. Why should you
JumpSto the conclusion that I'm going
10 see Mary Freeman. There are
other girls in town"
"Bht none nicer" put in precise lit
lie Aunt Annie.
"Mary's all right" agreed Tom, "but
! stopped to tell you that I'm going
TO see Deyette Sinclair q WHILE
isn't three times a week rather
often TO call on girl you've known
such a short whileH'' asked Mrs. Kent,
Small town etiquette mother.
Deyette is a city girl, The sinclairs
make fellow feel at home. There's
something about their house-soft
lights. and all that sort Of thing-a GER
tain atrnosphere-oh, can't explain
IL" finished Tom impatiently.
you don't need to explain to US,
Tom what constitutes the atmosphere
of true home" quietly interposed
Aunt Annie. well, anyway, the
whole family doesn't sit around and
entertain you as they do at the Free
man's" snapped Tom, and departed.
As the front door closed behind him
Mrs. Kent picked up her sewing. u
hope this is merely passing fancy,
Annie. That girl Is new type in this
Village and she fascinates Tom. But l
don't like his neglecting Mary. She's
such genuine girl.
Eyes, her complexion will stand sun
light" added the sister.
In the Sinclair home that evening
the atmosphere was saturated with
the germs Of jealousy and malicious
triumph, but to Tom 1t only smelled
of cigarette smoke and he wondered
what caller preceded him. How could
he know that Mrs. Sinclair had been
smoking furiously for the last half
hour while she rallied at her daughter
for her extravaganza and because she
was deliberately trying to "cut out"
her mother with the elderly and veal
thy Mr.. Slater-and at the same time
Eooling around with an "fmpecunious
fellow" like Tom.
When he arrived the shaded lights
shone softly. Deyette was charming
IN a gown that was quite different
from the village sort. Tom listened
enthralled to her tales Of their gay
life in the city and eagerly accepted
an invitation to visit them the follow
ing winter.
Il was the result of that strenuous
society life, of course, that had forced
them to come to this charming little
village for rest Now wouldn't Tom
tell more about his work-and what
be hoped to become? Deyette was
clever, so she listened with much ap-
parent interest while Tom talked and
sent him away very much pleased.
You could not call Mary Freeman
= clever. She was Just sweet and good
and true. Nor would Tom in describ-
ing her home say that 1t had certain
atmosphere. 1t was, in fact, much like
bis own, neat and orderly and comfort
able and pervaded by spirit Of unset
ash love,
= Il was this spirit which kept Mrs.
Freeman from commenting on Toms
absence In the hearing of her daughter
but It could not keep her from feeling
bitter toward Tom for causing the 81
lent suffering which Mary was striv-
3 Ing to conceal.
lhn 1,ad. haan IN, kn,v,.
month, and Tom Kent had formed the
habit Of dropping in TO see Deyette
every evening after supper. He had
even discontinued stopping in the sit
ing room to tell his mother where he
was bound and to say goodnight. Mrs.
Kent did not demonstrate with Tom
again for neglecting Mary.
She knew that her son could not be
managed that way. Aunt Annie's lips
were compressed in a straight line
most of the time now, and she spoke
: seldom to Tom. The atmosphere of
: tue Kent home had changed in some
subtle manner. Subconsciously Tom
felt 1t but his infatuation for Deyette
filled his mind those days to the ex-
clns!on of everything else except bus.
) i3eFs. He knew he must succeed in
4 that II he were to stand any chance
With Deyette.
So affairs stood when Tom stopped
In the grocery store on his way home
from business one night to do en er-
rand tor his mother. Mr.. Bates, the
proprietor waited on him.
Al he ttedtup the package he lean
ed across4the counter and spoke in .
tone too low to be heard by anyone
else In the store. Kent, you seem to
be on pretty good terms with the Sin
CHAIRS, Do you think they are all right
financially. mean. They owe me q
pretty big bill now, and q can't afford
TO trust them. for much more"
why. sure replied Tom. "They
dust happenstofbe short of ready cash
GUST now. Mrs. Sinclair was telling
me the other evening. She said the
man who managed their estate was
seriously i'll and II he didn't improve
soon she would have to go to New
York herself and lool1after things"
Mr.. Bates seemed reassured and be
Thought no more about the incident un
til two night later. Then Mrs. Sin
clair brought up the matter OF their
circumstances again, concluding, But
don't see how ! can go. Really I
ltcTa1,p aryaI, v,sO11ors a - a,,,-A, 4. L....S