The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-04-15
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
TIE Storm Lady.
BY MARY MORRISON.
" "Vf WONIoON'
Copyright, 1913, by the Mcclure

y mon NUSnlSSNs
Copyright, 1913, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicatel
re put down the hook with deep
sigh of boredom. What rot,
= what arrant rot" he groaned--
and then, Hello. Hero comes storm
for sure" A peal OF thunder cracked
the air IN TWO and he hurried TO the
cabin window.
A gigantic cloud, like black cur
tain, hung across the valley, cut ever
second or 20 by a fork Of lightning.
The trees covering the mountainsids
were being dashed, into fury by the
gale sweeping them. Looking down
from his lonely cabin, pcrched high
up on Arrow mountain, it seemed as il
all nature was going through some
dreadful revolution-the storm rush
ing upon the peaceful forest, taking
It lnawares and meeting with stiff re-
sistance from every tree, shrub AMI
bird for miles around. Then came the
rain, and the man pulled the window
TO just In time.
Heaven help anybody out in that
chaos" he said, as he lighted the lamp
and settled costly back in his big
chair. cad, what a wind!'
Through the noises of the storm he
heard sound on the little porch out
side, and rush of wind followed the
opening of the door and bang! it
Slammed to.
Hair awry. breath coming short and
fast, there leaned against the inside
of his door girl II suppose ! ought
to say something apologetic for burst
ing IN on you this way?" She painted;
"but, oh! that lightning! If your door
hadn't been right here | don't know
what | would have done. 1t seemed
as IL every flash that came was Just
rushing around the world trying to
find me, and as ii each clap OF thun-
der was applauding it. OIL" as a
terrific clap shook the cabin, "Oh, do
you mind if just sit DOWN."
Our host by this time had recovered
himself enough to rise and he pushed
forward his chair, into which the girl
sank gratefully.
where on earth did. you come
from?" he calculated. II had rather
thought that was the only occupant
OF Arrow mountain, and then in you
come ON the wings of the storm. BY
jove, perhaps that lightning is looking
for mel"
The girl looked at him for the first
time, and a smile crossed her face.
Yes, she was decidedly pretty.
With the help OF this little house
and, yes. this lamp, we may win out,"
she ha2arded.
Il hope so" responded the man. "At
any rate, what there is of 1t is at your
disposal. That's not much OF an Of
fer. but it's port in storm, any
way"
From their cosy fastness in the cab
IN they could hear the rain pelting
down 1t was dark as pitch outside
but the soft lamplight and the nice
look in the mans face was having 4
reassuring Influence on the girl. She
lifted her hands to her hair-a wom-
ans first conscious act after a fright.
What hoyden l must seem. The
first. big blow carried away my new
hat, and suppose next summer those
crows out there will be calling 1t
Rest-a-while' or something like. that"
Hard luck!" he laughed. Would q
cup of my own home brew recompense
You at all for the loss? 1t won't be as
beautiful as the future crowery, gbut it
Twill be Johnny -on-the-spot If you say
the word
Tea? Oh, how perfectly lovely.
lPlease!" said the girl.
mo sooner said than done, fair lady
of the storm. My entire library is at
your disposal while retire to my large
and spacious kitchen to prepare the
feast. No, really" as she was about to
offer resistance, Just sit there while |
do it. wouldn't have YOU see my
housekeeping for the world
AS he hustled around the tiny kitch-
en- he would steal look at the girl as
she sat by the table reading. There
was no doubt about it. she did become
the cabin. shes reading that awful
trash, too" he muttered. "Oh, lady,"
he called, that's silly book you've
picked out"
.Isn,t it?" she agreed. 1--we read il.
before and know it's silly. But used
10 know the man who wrote it, years
ago, when was a child. adored him,
and read all his books just on princi.
pie. have the feeling that some day
he will write something really good
Just because he was such an awfully
nice man himself"
Hes a lucky devil to have you say
that about HMM he came, tea IL
hand, and for lonely bachelor on a
mountaintop it was very enticing.
looking tray that he set before the
lady. The thunder came from q dis7
lance now and the rain was con.ea.-
Ing itself with gentle patter, pattcr.
THE darkness of few moments ago
was giving way to misty grayness.
He opened the window little and the
smell Of fresh green earth came
through.
sum, isn't that delicious" smiled
the girl, as she took a long breath.
Then she poured the tea. How many
Jumps? Three? Why, man alive,
/. what did you do in Hoover's day."
"Tell me about that author man who