Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1919-01-21
WHEATLESS DAY
BY VICTOR RADCLIFFE.
Copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Union,

"Humph!" shrugged the customer.
yesterday was a meatless day and
had to miss my accustomed chop.
suppose 1t will be sheetless day soon,
and we will have to roll up In blan-
kets. and heatless day, with no steam
on"
! He showed no resentment to the gov
eminent by dispatching the wheatless
meal In due order and tipping the
waiter.
! I'm not cross" he told himself as
he proceeded down the street, .but
don't like my days set tasks one bit"
Mr.. Embree went to railroad de-,
pot and purchased ticket to Fair
dale, a little suburban town twenty
miles away. He entered the coach and
drew his coat collar up around his
neck to warn any laxative fellow pas
4 senger that he had a decided crouch.
/ Then Ralph Embree began to think
/ hard.
He had, indeed, something necessary
| to ponder over. His son, Eldridge. had
(, come to him the day preceding. They
| had always been in harmonious COM
partnership.
Father" Eldridge had said frankly,
81 have fallen In love with the sweet
est girl In the world, and / want to
marry her."
"And you have hidden the face from
me until you had discounted its Gull
mination, eh?" the father spoke, half
| mockingly.
| "Not T." demurred Eldridge, In his
open, light-nearted way. "Why, IA
| Their, l never knew she loved me till
yesterdays I have been sure of only
| one thing: That an angel on earth is
embodied In Ruth Werner. That is the
| name of the young lady who has won
| my love. She lives at Hazleton with
her old grandmother. Father" and
| the tones grew pleading, II shall abide
| your decision, but want you to see
Ruth and her grandmother, even
though you ask that we wait years.
| Just do this one thing for me-"
"All right" assented the father
brusquely.
Over the situation Ralph Embree
now reflected, mapping out how he
would master it In his usual forceful,
| insistent way. Finally he decided he
would visit Mrs. Margaret Werner and
her granddaughter, and be pleasant
and polite.
| He located the home of Mrs. Werner
without much difficulty. He hardly
blamed Eldridge when young girl
answered his summons at the door.
81 wished to see Mrs. Werner" an
| nounced Mr.. Embree.
ooh, grandma, you meanf" chirped
this vision of rare beauty and inno-
| cence In the sweetest of tones. "She
is away"
81 think / will wait for her, If you
have no objection" observed Eldridge's
father, intent on a critical study Of a
prospective daughter-in-law.
She was all grace and intelligence,
as she seated herself opposite him in
the cozy little parlor, which was taste
full and neat as pin.
Grandma may be back at three, or
| five, or seven, / cannot exactly tell
which," Ruth Werner Informed her
visitor. 'You see, she is like a new
being since the war commenced"
Mr.. Embree pondered over this
strange remark, but prompt expla7
nation followed.
81 mean since the ladies' clubs here
have taken an interest in cooperative
work" said Ruth hastily. Grandma
is quite old, but she has never out
grown her usefulness. Oh, sir 4! there
never was such cook-old fashioned,
some say, but her system just meets
the present occasion for economy and
thrift, and food conservation is the
ruling motto of the day."
At three o'clock Mrs. Werner did not
appear At four Ruth told her visitor
that she must prepare tea, for grand
ma might arrive at five and would be
tired out with her days work, and
need refreshment.
Mrs. Werner did not come at five.
Ruth had been bustling about the
kitchen. She came into the parlor
with a delicious color in her fresh,
sweet face.
II have put down grandma's tea"
she explained. 81 hope you will join
me in a cup Of coffee"
81 will be glad to, young lady," said
Mr.. Embree.
There were mullins baked to a turn,
hot and crisp-not at all resembling
the restaurant graham -four abomina-
toni The coffee made him almost
smack his lips. An omelet and some
toothsome preserves capped the eli.
max Mr.. Embree was charmed. He
changed his plan Of having talk with
Mrs. Werner; he decided to deliver his
ultimatum instead to Eldridge in the
| city.
Il will write to Mrs. Werner the OBJ
ject of my visit" he told Ruth, and
she went to get his hat. A card
dropped from its inside band, his own
"Oh," exclaimed Ruth, and stood riv-
eted, and Mr. Embree discerned that 8
climax had eventuated.
Il 81 fancy am betrayed" said Mr.
Embree quickly, fascinated by tbs
pretty confusion of his young hostess
Eyes, l am the father Of the young
man who came down here and stole
your love without my knowledge"
II Ruth stood trembling and silent, bui
lifted her eyes In fearsome appeal.
II "And." pronounced Ralph Embre'
clearly. taking Ruth's hand and kiss
ing 1t with the chivalric grace Of SOM
K old courtier-'T am glad he did Is