The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-03-11
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
A Puzzling Case.
BY A. w. PEACH.
downright, 1919, by the Mcclure

10fmlY Courteous ue uLu NV NV
yances Of any kind. Next, 1t was as
covered that he spent many hours IN
tlie evening Just walking. "One OF
fbose physical culture bugs old DR..
Greene said grimly, and the boarding
house accepted his conclusion,
But Ruth Taylor, looking as she did
each day at the strong but haggard
face. reached different conclusion.
the gray eyes lifted to hers, as she
chatted in the familiar way of the
house, were Swallowed. Each evening
after supper she saw him go out nis
tan figure swinging away into the
night: and many times she heard him
returning at midnight. And finally,
because her training as a nurse mad
belped her to look into human hearts
She knew that he was walking to Tor
get. hoping to leave behind somewhere
IN his lonely strolls memory that ne
wished to blot out.
She made up her mind as she watch.
ed him grow thinner and more nag
gard that she must take hand in cur
inp him. The fine gray eyes took on
new and then desperate look that
stirred her to action. She decided she
must find out, first Of all, what was
wrong, and she decided to take noio
step IL necessary. Her professional
instinct was aroused.
The next evening, as he stepped
from the door she was waiting. MT
Hiu. why don't you invite one OF us
lonely females to stroll with you some
EVENING"" She felt her cheeks glow
A Sit with shame at the boldness OF her
request.
he looked down at her with' grave
eyes. 81 have noticed that you, at
least, have plenty of invitations from
others" He added quickly as he saw
her vince, II would like to have you
come, but am afraid you would find
me poor company. But do come" he
smiled this time, and the smile won
her.
the adventure began. To find his trou'
bic and to cure him was the task she
had set for herself. She made little
progress that evening; but they chat
ted and walked-most Of the time in ST.
lence. When they returned she had
made little gain in her attempt to
solve him; but she found some salts
faction IN his goodnight words:
"You make good comrade. Please
Join me II you can tomorrow. NY
work has been changed so shall wan
der bit in the afternoon. 49,
Lightness came into her feet as'she
mounted the stair. She had helped
him a bit to forget something-what
It was she could not guess, unless 1t
might be some wrong-doing that prey
ed upon him; but the clean strength
Of his lean face, the grave kindness
OF his eyes seemed to shut away all
thought of crime.
The first link in the chain OF mys-
terry was broken the next afternoon.
They were strolling together down the
broad, sunny central path Of the great
park when she saw coming toward
them a graceful, pretty girl whose
eyes uuickened with interest as she
saw them. She turned toward them.
Greetings, Albert" she said to
him.
Ruth saw his face whiten and grow
stern. then take on a look Of hunger
that vanished as quickly as 1t came.
And light began to dawn dimly upon
her.
He turned to her with word Of in.
PRODUCTION, Miss Dennison." The
girls appraising eyes swept her cool
" and turned to him.
When they went on again Ruth was
! aware that the mystery was nearing
bsolution. The conversation dragged,
though he made an evident effort to
keep It up; but his mind and heart
was elsewhere.
She determined to use drastic meth.
DDS, for that night at the dining room
table he looked wearier and more de.
pressed than ever. The pity that his
hurt eyes had first aroused in her was
doubled many fold. She thought over
plan and decided to put 1t into &C.
! ton.
She drew him aside into the quiet
Of the reception room. She was a BIZ
iesitant just how to begin, but she be-
\ gan, anyway.
{ 'Listen, / want you to tell me some.
4 thing and tell me truly. have de-
{ cided to hire myself as your doctor.
{ Anyway, you need a mother-or per-
haps q sister"
"The Lord knows I do" he said
quietly.
.'Then-here it Island forgive me
but did you love Miss Dennison once?"
He. drew a long breath and sank
back into the shadow OF the corner.
ss,she was afraid he would not answer;
then the words came, touched with
pain. II love her now-that's tho
trouble" He was silent for little
while; then his mans will broke and
he whole bitter tale came out-a story
OF mans true love, given fully, to
girl who took IT.; and then, when 1t had
gone so far as TO make ready home,
had been given back.
Ruth listened with pounding heart,
and understood. Worthy or not, she
was all in all to him; for love does not
follow the cold logic Of facts or tina
guidance OF the will.
ne finished with, $50 you see,
came here to forget, and I'm not, GS
the good doctor says a physical cul.
tnre bug You understand, know;
and you have been fine little friend
Now, what would you advises"
HIS voice was light, but tho heavi.
ness within was reflected without, She
shook her head, but said quietly: per.
haps there Is way" She remembered
the quick glance Of the girl who had
lifted him; in that glance was question