The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-10-14
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Magic Mirrors.
q. INV WAMnEI
BY LILY WANoEL.
Copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure
Newananer SyndicateO

N0M6HdPOL AuAN4tV'J
n~H, Elsette, you darling! How
glad / am to see you, and l
~ won't let you go in hurry,
mind that! Did you pack loads Of mu-
Sic in that trunk? If you didn't turn
right around and go home and get
soma!" All this between a dozen
welcoming kisses and as many anec-
tionate hugs.
Here's your room ana get of your
things, for I've so much to say" chat
tered Dallas, as she took her guests
hat and coat. You're going to have
the best time, Elsette Dwight! II
starts of with a big party tonight at
Mrs. Loves; you remember her? But
here's the big surprise-i can't keep
It a moment longer-ETbert Smith is
h going to be there!"
mot Gilbert Smith, the pianist?"
Putting down the hairbrush in breath
less attention.
Eyes, yes Isn't it wonderful? Myra
Love has told him about you, Elsette,
and he is interested! Please don't call
me matchmaker or fool, but Ell
settle, really and truly, you two are just
made for one another! You are such
wonderful musician, you will appre-
ciate such a man as Ebert Smith. He
is going to be a celebrity; there's no
doubt about it. And he's fine other
wise, too; big and good-looking. Oh,
the girls are crazy about him. DO you
know. If l wasn't married to the best
old bear in the world, I'd set my cap
for him myself. Only he wouldn't be
interested in me, Elsette; I'm not mu-
steal enough"
Elsette was excited about meeting
Mr.. Smith for she had heard so much
about his concerts and success. Sup
pose he really would be interested
in her, Just a little home talent light.
Suppose he would ask to hear her play.
Delightful little thrills ran down her
back at the thought of 1t! oh, she
would have so much to say to him,
they would have so much to talk about,
so many things in common! In vain
she tried to tighten the reins on her
now galloping thoughts, but they dash
ed ahead into mire OF tantalizing and
enchanting dreams. Was she really
falling in love with somebody she had
not even seen?
The party at Mrs. Loves proved to
he a very large affair and from the be-
ginning Elsette became separated from
Dallas. Under the wing of Mrs. Loves
sister she was introduced to great
many people whose names, OF course,
she did not quite catch. But sudden
". quite distinctly she understood,
"Mr. Smith, Miss Dwight" And a
splendidly built young man stood be-
fore her, smiling down at her out OF a
pair of keen blue eyes.
Elsette could not speak for q mo-
ment, she had not imagined him like
this, so clean-cu so alert, not at all
like the proverbial long haired, dreamy
eyed musician.
1t was pleasant that Mrs. Loves sis
ter was called away just then and very
delightful that little undisturbed cor
ner should be unoccupied near at hand.
1--WE heard so much about you, Miss
Dwight" Mr.. Smith was saying and
Elsette blushed with pleasure, 81 am
very ANXIOUS to hear you play. love
music"
"of course you do" laughed Elsette,
"but truly, would love to hear what
YOU think of my playing" She spoke
eagerly, almost fearing he repented his
remark.
Lets sneak off somewhere"-he
suggested boyishly-"the music room,
of course, is crowded. Wait min
ute-Tve got it. Up in the old studio
there's a piano."
Away they scurried like two happy
children to the quite deserted studio.
A solitary bulb under rose colored
shade family illuminted the room. Ell
settle, with icy fingers, and pounding
heart, seated herself at the piano while
Mr.. Smith flung himself in an easy
chair, waiting quietly for her tc be-
gin. y.
For several minutes it was quite i'm
possible to play, the overpowering
thought that the great Ebert Smith
was listening stiffened her fingers.
Then the odor of cigarette reached
her nostrials; vaguely it comforted,
soothed her. After all, he was only a
human being enjoying smoke and
wanting little music, She played,
and better than she had ever perform
ed before.
Finished, she wheeled around TO
meet a pair of blue eyes grave with
appreciation, hungry for more. Some
how 1t happened that they settled down
upon comfortable davenport, and Ell
sette told him OF her music, her stud
les, her little concerts and her great
ambitions. He was intensely interest
ed, and, what was more, he understood.
An hour slipped away before they re-
membered that they must return to
the festivities below. Reluctantly they
rose, scarcely daring to meet each
others eyes, so sweet, so new, was this
bond of sympathy between them.
Dallas, quite excited, met them at
the foot OF the stairs. "I've been
searching for you everywhere" Ana
giving Mr.. Smith the shortest OF mods.
drew Elsette away "Ycu Anow want
to introduce you to Eibers Smith"
But, Dallas, I've been with Mr.
Smith all evening""
you goose! That young scamp Was
George Smith, Mrs. Loves neighbor.
mean Ebert Smith, the pianist"
And before Elsette could recover her
breath she was being presented to the
right Mr.. Smith, whose reserved dig |
nifty and patronizing gractousness was I