The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-01-21

THE DAILY
81 hort STORY
"A Substitute for Mollie.
Ry lzoLA FoRREsTER.
Copyright, 1919. by the Mcclure

6y lZOIA fOHhES En-.
Copyright, 1919, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate)
= ARRIET found her crying when
she came down at 10:3o satur-
= morning. There was mail on
the little oak desk by the telephone
switchboard, but Molly paid no attcn.
Z lion to II or her other duties as oper.
etnr and general receptionl lady for
the Ofienta apartments ON Riverside
drive,
It's me big brother Danny, Miss
Baxter she explained. Hes just on
( the transport and they've got him OUT
u one Of those hospitals in fi1ed-over
department stores downtown, and its
me one chance 10 see him after two
years n France, and that old villain
Ot q Grumel won. leave me off three
hours. Danny says he may be trans.
! sefred after todaT, and what II don't
zee him, when he's all I've got?'
Harriet was disturbed and indiE.
uaft. She thought quickly. There
we're only two appointments, one at the
aresEmakers thai was easy TO break
and one at the dentists. Then the
matinee that afternoon with Vera. She
could phone her and this was an ex.
IRENE case.
'You 60 right along, Molly, and for.
g2t ali about this. can mn this
switchboard, and tell every one about
the apartments. Mr.. Grumei won't
be around, and you'll be back by 9
surely, won't you9'
Moilie promised blithely. and de-
parted with her blue eyes happy aud
The dimples showing in her rosy
cheeks. She was only sixteen, Has.
ciet thought placidly, as she took 4
aew hook and prepared for quiet
morning Then came call for her
self from Aunt Serena down at the
8iltmore.
"of course, know you're fright.
.illy busy, dear, but this is urgent and
I'm Just going out Of town, SO l told
lin you would be glad to have him up
or lunch. Is your father feeling good
:oday? No? So sorry. but Wilfred
Won't bother him bit. He is really
Sir Wtlfred Lorimer, but up in Can
ida he drops the title. Lives on a
( iuge ranch IN Alberta and is fearfully
Itch. His mother and mine are .cou.
Inns, so I've been having him up hero
With me, but he needs more diversion
han an old woman can give him. Be
lice, dearie, By.by"
Harriet heard her cut of with a
ceiling akin to desperation. That was
me 81 the Joys Of rich relatives. They
:alled sou up and demanded anything
1t all hours with the idea they were
:onferring favor on you by letting
you act for them.
AT 1t:l0 came call from Sir vii.
ire himself. Would she kindly give
aim Miss Baxter's apartment?
Miss Baxter is out" said Harriet
natly. "Any messase?"
will she be in for lunch?"
(He had a very nice yoice.)
~ hardly think so. She left no mes.
age
aBut she expects me-" he urged.
viii you please leave word called
ip; Wilfred Lorimer."
The time dragged until noon. Har.
let tried to keep her mind on the mes
ages and answers, but her eyes
PATCHED the door and she knew she
expected trouble any minute. He had
lot spoken like the kind who would
= AXE no for an answer. Perhaps she
night be able to send up to her faith
sr. She called up softly and told Jane
o prepare q dainty luncheon, for fear
sf an unexpected guest. He would
aever know If he we're going out West
1t once.
Then, suddenly the outer storm
loors swung wide and she knew at
4 .iyst glance It was Sir Wildred. He
#.Has very tall and blond, with humor-
sus brown eyes and smile that coun.
cred any antaEonism.
He was terribly sorry Miss Baxter
aad not come In yet; but possibly her
.ather expected him. He would 70 up.
Harriet announced him, hoping with
~ her heart that Jane would be . dip.
nmat, and he passed on upstairs. AS
song as he was leaving for Canada
within y day or two It could not mat
Ter and, after all, she told herself it
mas IN . splendid cause.
She bent her head low over her
sook when he passed out OF the door.
Wy little past Q. Evidently her faith.
srhad liked him. She looked up in re-.
Iief. Just In time to catch his last
glance back at her.
There surely was CLEAN Of I'm.
Usual interest In his eyes that sent
he color to her face; but Mollie ar
lived almost Immediately after, and
aer gratitude swept away every other
sonsid Iteration.
Two weeks later Harriet was duo at
The Biltmore for Mrs. Deyereux's
thursday tea, as usual. It was late
hen she entered, a slim, attractive
gAte IN her gray velvet gown
trimmed in moleskin, with Persian
sirdle n dun orange and JADE green.
Z She was conscious Of some ones scru-
.ipy IS she spoke to her aunt at the lit.
% tea table, but II was not until his
fine sounded behind her that she knew
HE vas discovered.
You don't mind X I sit here with
Eo1 do you? he asked, happily. II
3liina "a tlsN1I aAatSaiaAnS 1s.,A !.