The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-11-12
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Betsy,s Story.
Copyright 1918 by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.
Nv INHOJ NJ RNTIRI

Lousy OGO4 ".
Copyright 1919, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.
By LINCOLN RoTHBLUM.
n 7 was such small hall bedroom
way up near the top Of the house
so high above the ground II
seemed suspended midway between
heaven and earth, somewhat after thu
fashion Of those hanging gardens
which are said 10 have required Meth
or under not upper support. But al.
though the room by its elevated loca-
lion stroye for place in the sun, thai
orbit reflected none of its rays at nc
time Of the day, for the one window
fl0pped, in unceremonious fashion
against the bleak and bland stone
wall Of the building opposite. Now, Il
Dne were as dexterous as Betsy BOND
q very good glimpse, albeit limited
could be obtained not only Of the sun
casting seemingly forgotten rays Of
light down the murRy couTtway, bu'
also OF the window in the other build
ing one floor below. 1t is true the
bit OF light was only enjoyed on Sun
days, when Betsy's exacting and on
erops duties as salesgirl at the no
ton counter Of Tilden's, Inc, did not
call for her expert services for the
somewhat startling compensation Of
seven dollars the week-startling how
little might be procured on that
amount in the way of daily necessi-
ties. And it is also true the window
of the room, across the court afford
ed little distraction for up to the writ
ing Of this-Betsy's story-it had re-
manned untenanted.
For Betsy's heart, starving for af-
lection and dying because there was
no one on whom to lavish the love
pent UP within her hungTed for ro-
nance; she looked for it everywhere
and found its substitute only on the
fiction page OF the evening paper. 1t
was a very unsatisfactory substitute.
The days Of August had made a
blistering advance, and 1t seemed to
Betsy this dusk that summer was ex-
erting every effort to leave a scar and
scorching memory of its tOrrid pres
ence A hot, musty humidity pasted
the ringlets about her perspiring fore
head into fantastic formsas she en-
tered the room breathless from the III
terninable climb of stairs. Up went
the window, the courtyard sending out
its nightly quota OF onion and other
stencil from the quarters below. Bet
ty had no taste for the articles Of
food on her table and listlesSly ad-
justed herself to the oblique and un-
comfortable position necessary to see
the window in the building opposite.
She leaned forward. Glaringly it stooo
forth, and not even the dirty panes
concealed the yellow jet OF gaslght
which Illuminated the room and its
solitary occupant, Betsy laughed
aloud.
"a neighbor" she unused, and
reached for the pillow from the bed
to make her cramped position more
durable. "Romance!" her thought
continued, and smile exposed two
pretty rows OF even white teeth 1t
was in spite Of, and not because of,
her clothes that Betsy was considered
attractive; for the worn serge skirt
loudly acclaimed its age by lustrous
sheen and the white lawn waist no
longer admitted further mending.
But there was little in the mans oc-
cupation to excite undue curiosity or
romantic conjcctures; laboriously he
wrote, stopping to press his temples
with his fingertips or pass hand
Herchief over his forehead Betsy
slipped from the sill to the floor and
protruded her head through the win
dow into the court until she could
almost touch the opposite wall for up
through the space came the voice Of
the man family singing:
when you Ship o. Dreams comes in,
dear,
When its cargo comes to shore,
With gold so fine, it will all be thine
You alone I adore"
and then abruptly, stopped. Betsy
climbed back onto the window ledge
and leaning far forward peered down
into the room. gasp OF CONSERVATION
escaped her lips as she jumped to the
floor and tore down the steps, the
ascent OF which had so taxed her
strength. Out into the street she
ran and up to the door of the next
building.
Mrs. slattery appeared in answer q
the imperative Summons Of the bell
and irritated by the supper so inter-
rupted, eyed with landlady's suspiC-
ion, the UNDATED and disheveled
Betsy. She did not make likely
looking roomer.
Il guess eli the rooms be filled, :"
was the curt and unsolicited informa-
ton. Betsy inserted her foot between
door and panel to prevent it being
shut in her face.
II am not looking for a room, but,
but" she stammered as the usual
ness Of the situation presented itself.
e0ne Of your tenants seems in trou-
BILE" Betsy gulped hard, Iand l be-
leye he has tainted. I've can help
.n
Mrs. slattery made unsympathetic
interruption. "Oh, it be that singing
man. Never pays his rent and do
Eeem to live on air. He'll come
round-'
In a manner Mrs. shttery after
ward rubbed fresh" Betty brushed
her aside and deliberately walked I'D