The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-12-05
THE DAILY.
SHORT STORY
Out Of the Dusk.
BY a. WSpEAcH.
Copyright, 1919, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)

n RARGERYa ORVlS had never STOP
M ped to think Of the danger that
4VA lay for her in her habit Of leay-
Ing the fcoai office after dusk. Old
Martin, who owned the business, had
never reached the point of moving
his office from his yards to some up
town locality, nor had he changed
the old system Of having his drivers
collect the money for coal delivered
He had found Margery so clever
and keen that soon he was leaving
the office early for his home, and
sha was taking the money from the
drivers. Many times the great coai
yard was gray with dusk before she
slipped homeward from the office.
II did not occur to her that any
one, would rob her for no one was
SUPPOSED to know that she left with
the entire money collected durins
the day. Some did know, however,
On that particular evening she was
hnrrying down the road between the
bins when her heart jumped at the
Eound OF rushing steps.
She half turned to be grasped
tightly around the body and to feel
the innocent bag she carried snatched
from her hand. In the same moment,
III a wild effort she seized her assail
about about the neck, but with an oath
he tore loose, flinglng her aside, and
disappeared.
She drew herself quickly to her
feet, but the dusky silence OF the
deserted yard gave back no sign OF
= the robber. She stood helpless, a
bit dazed; then Though her con-
seioueness came the. hint that she
held something in her hand She
held it up in wonder, and then shtv-
cred with the sholk Of what she
saw. She had seized and torn away
part of necktie, and in it was still
fashioned firmly pin Of. peculiar
design. She stared at it, recognizing
It beyond any question, feeling her
blood grow chill within her.
Half in Il stupor, she made her way
to the car line, and then to her room
In the quiet residential section. She
studied the pin. There could be no
doubt; Alden Kenyon was her assail-
ant. Her. world Of dreams began to
tumble about her,
Since the day Of her coming to
the coal office, the old dealers son,
Reed Martin had pressed his SUIT upon
her, and she had liked him, even to,
lthe extent of loving him If it had not
been for her str&Sllttle Puritan body
and mind. BE-
His habits we're against HIN and
she valued her own clean body and
soul too much to risk it in his care.
And then had como Kenyon, MERRY
and frank of eye, poor but honorable
--she had thought-tall and strong
tSS. type of man she could love.
Reed had brought him to the Office
tor the two worked in the same estab-
lishment in the city, little thinking he
was bringing rival Now THO one
she trusted had failed her.
81 was too hasty.1rbreally d9d moi
know him." che Said to herself BIT
.erly, recalling the evenings with him,
he pleasant timesJ the shy eXehang
II words and Eoous such as only ioV
ers know. Tcafs came in TO her
syes as she rememberedS "Oh, Alden.
She slept little that night, her mind
.acing the issue that had aIisen. Hel
Knew when she left the office; shnl
Knew she carried the money collected
during the day, and she, on her part.
thew that her love for him had been
me quick, instructive kind that rea-
ron does not guide with firm, direct
,ug finger,
She turned TO the pillow at last,
ears coming, but WITH her mind mad5
up to tell the stern old business man
Just what had happened.
She was not spared further shock.
On her way to the yard the next
morning she saw a familiar figure
swing onto the car, aud found herself
looking up into Aldep's tender, smll-
ing eyes.
Hello, little girl. thought would
wait few cars in hopes OF seeing
you. want to engage you for ths
evening" he said easily.
II am not free" she answered as
coolly as she could, although tremb-
ling within, He was wearing the very
suit he had worn when he robbed her.
How keenely she recalled that gray
stripe she had seen as she struggled.
II suppose it is Reed, this time,
Well, can't complain, You have
i treated me fair hetsaid genially.
\ He chatted with her but she had
little to say, and when he dropped |
from the car at his destination she
was relieved, although she could hard !
~ restrain herself from following his
swinging form as it disappeared In
tile crowd,
All chat day she fought silent bat.
tile whether to tell Mr.. Martin Of
what had happened and who the guilty
party was. Like Gagged animal her
mind went back and forth. At last
che. sought freedom.
The gray.haired veteran listened to
her story without comment; then he
said. grayely: 1.-THE evidence is clear
against him. My dear little girl, you
ast learn as We all learn, not to trust
a handsome face, friendly way, until
lit has been tested. Ill send for him
and see what he has to say. My boy
likes him, and hate 10 have him
iailed,''
she5suffered in silence until, hours
later, released from his work, he came.
eVas changed in some way, and she
guessed that he sensed what he was
wanted Tor.
She caught him impulsively as he
started to the private office door and
Whispered, "Oh, Alden" Then re.
covering and remembering, she back.
ca OIL, leaving him bewlldered, a glad
smile on his face fading to a shadow