The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-04-17
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
The Girl and the
Tambourine
CIV MARTHA GAISER

BY MARTHA GAlSER,
Copyright 1917, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)
T was the Saturday before Christ
mas. The winters day was fast
i disappearing as Tom Danvers and
John Harding stepped out of the club
and joined the moving holiday crowd.
For an hour they watched 1t through
the window as they smoked and talked
and Tom, while he had been much
amused at Johns cynical comment,
had taken it all as joke, for John was
never pessimistic. Now as they walk
ed down the crowded thoroughfare con
versation was difficult and John was
unusually silent. Recalling bits Of
phrases in their recent conversation,
it suddenly occurred to Tom that there
had been an unaccustomed tone, even
a note OF bitterness, underlying the
smile and lightly spoken words Of his
Oldest and best friend, whom he felt
he knew as he did himselg. At the
thought he looked sharply and pierre
ingly at HIM, but the strong, resolute
profile bore no trace of the cynicism of
the last hour, much less evidence of its
cause. 1t was just Imagination Tom
concluded.
AS they stood waiting for cross
town car an observant and clever beg
gar approached. Tom answered the
appeal with coin.
mot from me-" said John, in q dis
approving tone.
ooh, well, it's Christmas time"
said Tom.
Eyes that's Just it, and he knows it
and makes capital of it. 1t is sympa-
thetic or sentimental charity, and /
don't approve'of it."
upon my word Tom, you are funny
this afternoon. What is the matter
with you. First you condemn women,
then You denounce this happy holiday
crowd as passing show and now this
poor beggar. It's well you are going
to be with me for awhile; you need
home influence, andy Jove! you
need wife! That is the antidote for
you, old fellow" he concluded empha-
sizing his conviction with slap on
the back.
mo. thank you," was the laughing
reply as they stepped aboard the car,
1t was well filled. Across from the
friends sat two good-looking women.
evidently mother and daughter. Next
to the younger woman sat sweet
faced Salvation Army girl. with her
tambourine in her lap. Her plain dark
blue Cresc was in marked contrast
to the fashionable suit and beautiful
f1lrs Of the ladies beside her.
Suddenly the younger Of the two
turned and spoke to her. She
snilingly responded and shook her
head but as the other continued to
urge wistful look came into the Ar
nly girls face as she glanced about the
car.
mo. no." they heard her say: "the
conductor would not allow me. The
rules ara very strict" she added in ex.
plantation. For moment or 80 there
was silence and over the faces of both
showed disappointment.
Thea suddenly the younger woman
. with che color suffusing her lovely
face carght up the tambourine and
depositing coin in it, started down
the car, ignoring the shocked and cx-
pos.ulating "Nancy!' and the detain-
ing band of her astopished companion.
Passing from passenger to passenger,
she extended the tambourine, always
WITH o little smile and "It's Christians
you know" or some little word, until
each one fel. 1t privilege to contrib
uts Sc netting. AS she turned by the
door the conductor stepoed forward
with. please Miss. want to add some
thing to that, too"
Flushing, she exclaimed, "oh, thank
you so much"
She lassed on to her seat and re.
turned to its owner the tambourine
tina. tever befoce had received contri-
buttons so promptly and so bestnwcl.
John Hardin's hand had gone at
once into his pocket when he realized