The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-05-31
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
By r. RAY BAKER.
Copyright 1919, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)

ing shells or crawling tanks or
trench dugouts or spies in this tale,
which concerns an event that happen
ed in little back woods town in IL
ltnois six months after the armist &C
was signed.
The was IS dragged in because Il ex-
plains the advantage acquired by Her
bert Drew over Gilbert Post IL the
battle for the love OF Marguerite Ho-
bart.
When the truce moved the lever that
changed the current Of troops C. 3ssing
the Atlantic westward instead Of east
ward, Herbert doomed up in his home
town one sunny, bird chirping spring
day wearing an overseas cap on one
side OF his head and brown bandages
on his legs, with gold chevron on
his sleeve; while Gilbert put in his
appearance on a drizzly dreary day
short time later with Just hat and
leggings covering respectively his tou-
sled yellow hair and his neither limbs,
and splash of silver on his ann to
denote he had been in service over
here.
They were drafted in the same con-
ingent and they went to Camp Grant
together. At that time Gilbert had
the inside track with Marguerite and
their engagement was generally con-
sidered certainty for the near fu-
ture. Gilbert was not SO attractive
as Herbert, who was pronounced bru
nette, but Margaret felt much deep
err affection for him because she
thought she fathomed finer qualities
of character in him, and because
well, Just because.
So 1t was a losing fight for Private
Drew before he went to camp but
shortly after he began his military
training his luck changed. Naturally,
Marguerite could not decline to answer
his letters, for she had to do her bit
for the soldiers and he continued his
wooing by mail.
In this there was some advantage
tor him, because he was good cor
respondent, while Gilbert was more
or less of a failure along those lines
The big chance in his fortune, how
ever, was when he was ordered over.
seas, while Gilbert was relegated to
the depot brigade.
So Herbert Drew came back home
q hero while Gilbert Post was Just
soldier, with no more glamour about
him than that afforded by his uniform
and that did not last long for he shed
his khaki for civies as soon as he
could produce store clothes. Herbert,
on the other hand, continued to wear
his uniform and It certainly did add
TO his prestige. Tales OF his bravery
in action were published in the local
weekly and that drew more brilliant
glare about him.
Marguerite, being human girl,
could not resist these things and all
most before she herself could realize
II she was considering Herbert her
accepted sutton and Gilbert in the has
been class.
Gilbert plugged along at his work
in the flour mill where he had a job
that payed well for town OF that size.
He knew he was losing out with Mar
Ruerite for he realized that the chanc-
es were with a gold chevron against
silver one.
Both the young men continued to
call on Marguerite, but Gilbert had
been cut down to once a week, while
he was aware that Herbert was at the
Holbert home, at least every other
night. Then, her manner of treating
him was different. She was still very
friendly and tried to entertain him
pleasingly, but he knew the old spirit
of comradeship was not there, while
the still deeper feeling that had made
itself evident on some occasions be-
fore that fateful CONSUMPTION act went
into effect was decidedly conspicuous
{ by not being there any more at all.
Gilbert made the good fight, but
gradually 1t became manifest to him
that It was a losing fight. Finally,
things came to climax one night, be-
cause he could not keep silent any
longer but just had to know where he
stood, on sand or rock.
How is it, Marguerite" he asked,
as he was preparing to leave, after his
weekly call. Are you just tolerating
me? Is that the way things stand?"
She looked down at the toe of her
shoe and wiggled it few times
watching it intently, as II 1t were some
thing she never before knew she pos
sessed and was very curious concern
ing It's functions.
well, no." she said after few sec
onds thought. II can't say it's Just
that way. / like you very much, Gil
bert; but have realized for some
time that things are not justs the way
they used to be-"
"It's-it's Herbert Drew, OF course"
Gilbert ventured, looking out the win
dow and bordering how dark 1t was
not Just that part of the world within
his veiw, but the whole universe.
Many a time he had looked through
that window at world that was smil-
ing and sunshiny. Y
She became interested in that toe
again.
@Yes," she confessed. signing. ITS
Herbert. he is-well, have come to
realize that he is the man for me.
He's SO big and strong and handsome.
OF course, don't mean Gill that you
are not those things, too" she was
quick to add, 'Fbut well, It's different
somehow since he's been away. He's
q different man now, after going
through all those terrible experiences
You ought to see his eyes shine when
he tells how he went over the top and
OF course, you don't care to hear about
those things. You didn't have to go
through them"
Gilbert smiled dryly. No, he hadn't
gone through them, but he sincerely
wished he had been given the oppor-
tuntty.