The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-11-04
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
The Barker Luck.
RyA. W. PEACH.
copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)

difficult problems In days past
without any particular ability except
willingness to work hard, she had, won
her way into the good will Of the greal
real estate firm, and was about to en-
ter on the new duties Of the position,
when the grave but kindly faced
physician had told her the cause OF
harassing pain in her side, and ended
with statement that involved the
word Operation"
on the evening that the verdict had
been given, her faithful and unob-
trusiye lover, Elmer Horton, who had
worked in her old office, came to see
her; and before she realized what he
was doing, in his quiet way, he had
+ drawn from her some Of her fears and
doubts. The steadfast love IN MS
eyes-and they we're not handsome
eyes-m may have been the cause.
otis the Barker luck, Elmer" she
said smiling bravely "Alone in this
big, big world"
"You forget me-" he broke in, his
steady eyes twinkling.
She choked an instructive desire to
hug him. You old dear, how faithful
and kind you have been to me; and
Won know / never can love you"
Perhaps" he answered, smiling at
her mood
"Ah, 1 wonder!" Then her smile
twisted bit. well, / must have II
done; but. the money end Of tim
poor as Jobs turkey = was it Jobs
turkey? Hold on!" Her chin was
uuivering, but her eyes were smiling.
81 have one thousand dollars after all.
Did you know that?
He confessed great establishment
Some one did love me enough TO
give me one thousand dollars" She
hunted through an old wallet that evil
IDENTIFY contained cherished treasures,
and drew out a rumpled check You
remember old Mr.. Pruit-"
do /? He used to sit and ramble
on by the hour with you while was
only asking for five minutes to make
love to you"
She shook her head warningly
s'None Of that. Well, did try to be
good to him. He was little out OF
his head, you know. Just before his
last sickness he came in and gave me
this check with a great flourish. You
know he always talked of having mon
ey. | am glad he thought he had it.
Poor, old, tender-hearted man, the
landlady told me the city had to bury
him at its own expense" Her eyes
Swallowed.
He took the check quickly. The
-w,,;tinC, was 81 cratic that it hardly
made sense. Clearly enough, 1t was
the vagary OF an unbalanced mind, yet
ii did represent pleasant memory;
and Horton bought to divert her mind
from the last thought she had spoken:
She sensed his effort, however, and
smiled back. ELMER, it's the Barker
luck: and I'm going to face it in the
way father and mother did. Tomorrow
20 to the hospital. ! am going to let
them do as they want to with me; and
afterwards-why afterwards -" She
looked at him with stricken eyes. She
knew that weeks must pass after the
oneration before she would be strong
enough to take up work once more;
and whore was the money coming
from to enable her to live as she
should and grow strong during those
weeks?
fingers, stirred by the look in her eyes.
Hsay. Rose Bee, indorse this check;
AM ri try to get it through. Perhaps,
the old chap did have this money!"
"What are you thinking about? That
check Is some old thing he had around.
Sac how yellow It Is! He was little
crazy. No, don't be foolish.
he held his fountain pen toward
her.
rectly.
( ing a game Of 1t.
Re folded the check and placed it
carefully in his pocket Then he look
"a at her hungrily. Rose, is there
anything can do?"
aPlease don't look at me that way"
she rose, her face white, you have
been so good to me- so faithful and
kind-I wish l could reward you" He
had risen, and she put her hands on
his shoulders and looked into his
eyes. But 1 can give you nothing ex-
Cept my thanks. You might-mlght
send me few flowers-if-good -by!"
His big heart could not speak
through his slow mind. He said awk-
wardly, 'Tll remember. And Rose
Bee, remember that the Barker luck
may take turn. You know tho old
saying modernized long lane
That has no ashbarrel! So buck-up-
md be Of good cheer! Good-by!"
She smiled at his "moderniEed say
Ing" because she knew he wished her,
too; but after he had gone she stood
ong in silence, realizing as she never
mad before that the man who had gone
carried with him a soul that like gold
would wear brighter with the years.
When she awoke into a pain filled,
sther- scented world, the first glance
g her sick eyes fell upon the flowers
his gift. The sight held and check
: n ed her sinking soul. She was not ~
ilone in a big, big world, She drift
ID away to sleep, anchored to a love
e hat would not let her go,
When again she awOke the smiling
aurse said to her, Here is a short
which / was told must be given
gol just as soon as possible. Would
Fou like it now?"
Her blurred eyes read-"Dear Rose
Bee: Your luck has turned took
lie check to a bark they put 1t
trough for me; and :. money came
iach! Old Pruit must I've known his
fne' was short, and thinking of your