The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-08-20
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Eventually.

thing I'm not afraid, Aggie Ames. Was
| ever afraid OF anything dead or liv-
En'p she demanded, planting her
hands on her sides.
moo" Aggie meekly admitted.
"But it's not that exactly, sis. It's just
the distressln' idea Of you Twin here
alone. There's no use in beggin' you
to give up housekeepin' an come 1--we
with US, cause know you won't, but
do wish you'd let Lulu or Helen come
stay with you for company"
"See here, Aggie," Cynthia said i'm
patiently, 81 don't wan nobody, an !
reckon nobody wants me-"
"1'm not so sure about that, sir" re-
turned Mrs. Ames. Folks says Harry
Hall always wanted you.p
Folks! Harry Halt" echoed Gym
thia derisely.
"well, know lots worse men," de-
Tended Aggie. "An' you can say this
about him, he always goes neat look
in, an he's got a piece of nice prop
erty at Eastwitch."
mice property" scoffed Cynthia.
IT expect now it's bout as worthless
as he is. To my knowledge he never
did hard days work in his life, an
what he wants l reckon is easy
home an not me. Besides folks are
too know-it-all, for tell you he's new
er asked me nor no other woman to
have him He amt got the spunk OF
a rabbit"
call right, then, sir; suit yourself"
Aggie said as she rose to go.
Cynthia, who did not do, things like
AhA laI ~ t. =
shelter of her own abode, sat down
and wept. Spot, mongrel of uncer-
tain age, who had been mapping be-.
side the kitchen stove, rose, emitted
low whine and pressed a friendly chin
against her knee. Cynthias hand
found its way to his head. 'itf 1t amt
Silly to give way" she moralized.
Here's you, Spot, as good company
as body need want, an me lettin' on
to myself that nebbe Ageie is right.
Pshaw!" Jerking up her thin shoulders.
can as for Harry Hall-well; that
amt nobody's business"
Straightway Cynthia finished her
wash, hung 1t on the line, scrubbed
the porch and kitchen and prepared
her MONDAY meal. Cynthia wished
there was more to do, but the house
had been SO serupulously cleaned aft
er the funeral that there was really
very little to do. Just the day before
she had folded away her mothers
scant belongings, tldied the old chest
drawers except one and that particular
drawer she decided to overhaul. The
first thing to be drawn out was rose
sprigged orsandy.
i've always kept It," she remarked,
as her fingers softly wandered over II,
mot on account OF wearln' 1t to the
picnic when he said lot Of silly non
sense, but because 1t was the pretti-
est dress there, an every one said so,
too"
And then she pulled out other things,
to each Of which there was a mem
DRY.
She closed the empty treasure drawer
and rose to her feet, Spot, however,
remained in his full length position
and emitted plaintive whine. BLESS
me, what's wrong with you, mister 70
she demanded somewhat jefkily.
Spot whlned again and fiapped his
tail on the floor.
Spose you want me to put them
things back In the drawer?" she a0ked,
the slightest semblahce OF quavsr in
her voice. why, declare you make
a body feel kind Of guilty like" She
looked down at the odd little pile on
the chair, then out Of tn window and
back to the pile. "Spot," she said,
and the faintest tinge OF color stole
: to her faded cheeks, you are right. It
amt modest or proper to let out se-
crets an feelin's to folks who amt
got no business KNOWN OF EN-, 80
these things are going right back
where they belong"
Spot, accustomed to Cynthia's con-
fidenee, Jumped up and barked In ap-
prova.
That evening she baked golden
brown biscuits, fried a slice Of her
home-cured ham and boiled odorous
coffee. Harry Hall, wearing medi-
tattve air and with his hands dug deep
in his pants pockets, passed the house,
saw through the window Cynthia's
lamp glowing cheerily on the table,
took unheard of courage and went to
the door and knocked.
"Well, declared" greeted Cynthia
as She flung wide the door.
"Howdy, Cynthy," faltered Mr.. Hall,
and little uneasily he proceeded to
clean his shoes on the straw mat. 4
saw Abbie today. Ill was talkin' to
what of that?" Cynthia crisply
Questioned. Come in, won't you?"
Might as WELL" said Mr.. Hall.
It's--it's chilly, Cynthia"
These evenings are COOL" briefly
responded Cynthia. Would you rel
ish good cup Of coffee, Harry"
1T wouldn't go bad, Cynthia"
beamed Mr.. Hall.
"come on in, then" invited Gym
thia. Take seat right to the table
an make yourself to home, Harry"
"Abbie is considerable worried over
you" ventured Mr.. Hall.
"Ahbie takes on foolish" snapped
Cynthia, slipping white ruffled apron
over her checked Bingham.
"She-she said we was both fool
lsh." suddenly confided Mr.. HALL.
"Humph!" retorted Cynthia, pro-
reeding to dish up the ham.
II wish" said Mr.. Hall, beginning
to feel more at ease and swapping his
fingers is friendly fashion at Spot.
Il wish" Then quite suddenly mis-