The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-09-15
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
In Days to Come.
BY DORA NOLAN.
Copyright 1919. by Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.


N HARY FLARlTY's thoughts were
M on tao substance Of the note
AVA rather than its form when she
wrote the date April %, 1890. It did
not occur 10 her that 1t was not strict
ly necessary to date a note to ones
own father informing him of ones in
tended elooement when one purposes
10 depart from ancestral roof-tree that
very day, and the enlightening COM
munication was bound to be found
soon after. But 1t was down, and her
time was precious.
Her plane was waiting. The head
mechanician o! the Flarity hanger had
finished overhauling 1t not an hour
ago, assuring Mary that, with her driv
ing, he would be able to outfly any
machine her father owned.
Mary had answered, Keep mum on
that score 10 dad, Oscar" at the same
time slipping him a triflIng tip Of fiji
ty
The note finished, Mary secured It
to the CUSHION on her dressing table
with a pin, as had been the custom OF
clipping maidens since time immemor-
ial. Next che climbed into suit of
fur lined leather, which caused her to
look exactly like brownie packed in
a rather small bag with garments OF
sheer silken texture and looked for
the last time on her luxurious rooms.
For Mary was under no decisions
as to what her fathers attitude might
be toward this step she was about to
ttke. His wealth was great, his So
cial position unquestioned He had
always been kind to her and she loved
him. 1t was only a matter OF loving
Adrion Longfellow more-much more.
So we'll did Mary love Adrlon that she
was entirely willing to give up all
the luxury to which she had been
born, to live in poverty and social os-
tractsm with the man OF her choice.
With sigh at the unpreventabIe
perversitie; Of life, Mary walked out OF
tho Flarity mansion and stepped into
her place and flew straight for the
college town where Adrion, unfortu-
naie inheritor Of his fathers tempera-
ment, and nothing else, drew his
meager salary for the only toll for
which he was fitted
Adrion was waiting at the appoint
cd spot, 1t was his unlikeness to the
young men of her set that had attract
ed Mary in the first place. They were
big an strong. Adrion was under
sized, They talked TO her only Of
sport, social matters, and money; how
much they earned in few hours a
cay. Adrion could talk well on a
Hundred subjects; books and flowers,
music and the great outdoors.
But this man chosen from outside
her own world by Mary to be her hus.
band possessed fine sense o. honor.
Rc felt it his duty to inquire for the
last time whether she fully realized
what she was giving up for his sake.
MY dear" he questioned "have You
thought that we won't be able 10 keep
this?" placing his hand on the delicate
wings @: the bird which bore them so
swiftly hloft. my salary could not
stand the hangar fee, to say nothing
of the upkeep uid hope We might
have one OF the four hour servants,
but alas" Adrion paus,d to sigh, y
road that they arc striking for more
pay and fewer working hours"
Just at that momznt Mary turned in
to much Travelled air lane and care.
July guided her plane in and on
among the traffic. Don't worry,
Adr;oE, my grandmother did her own
hcuscwnrK when she was first married
and what enc woman has done, an
other wL:nan can. The only thing that
bcthers me now is that something may
happened 10 delay us and give father
chance 10 put soma obstacle in our
way. She's doing two hundred miles
an hour now and III keep her there
till we get out of the crowd; after
that tho sky is the limit.
MIR FIarity arrived home that even
ing during an interval between the de-
parture Of the fourth relay Of servants
and tho arrival OF the fifth. 1t was
when the latter had been on duty an
hour that one of the maids brought
Marys note to MIN. She had discov-
cred 1t while preparing Mary's room
for tho night
What he read sent Mr.. Tsrity flying
literally. He took mis- fastest plane
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