The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-10-11
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Always a Way Out.
BY LILLIAN HALL CROWLEY.
Copyright, 1919, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)

worried about? You're young anu
pretty and engaged to John Shuler, the
finest young man in the world"
TITS this, mother: John has always
moved in the best circles both at his
home and at the university, and we
have lived so simply here-pinching
nickels-that wont know how to man
age the beautiful home he is building
for us"
you'll learn, dear, and will tell you
Everything know. had nice home
'n Eyes. know. mother, but telling
ISN'T seeing. lack the practicaI
knowledge Of everyday usage. Why, l
couldn't serve dinner properly
We've mostly eaten out of boxes
we've been 80 busy"
That's true enough, Allie"
Mrs. Mangan and her daughter were
sewing in their tiny living room dur
ing this conversation. Two weeks be-
lore Alice had finished her first year
In collect. While there she had met
John shuler and it was love affair at
first. Alice was working her way
through college by being an assistant
teacher.
Her mother, left a widow with two
little girls when very young, had made
brave fight to educate her children
Alice had been a wonderful help with
the housework ana sewing, and later
with tutoring.
Things were looking much better for
them, now, as Mrs. Mangan had been
offered a position as manager and de-
signer of the dressmaking department
In one of the large stores. She was
taking two weeks rest that she very
much. needed. She had done dress
making for years in the little rooms
where she lived with her daughters
and was weary OF the drudgery OF IT.
Louise, the younger daughter, was IN
her sophomore year in high school.
Alice, with her beauty and charm,
had won the catch at the university
John Shuler's parents had come IRON
a neighboring state for the gradua-
ion Of their son, and Mrs, Mangan and
Louise had managed to scrape together
enough money to go and meet Allies
Intended husband and his family
Everything had been so pleasant.
fife looked very bright for them all
md now Allie was worried.
Alice put down her sewing, grimly
determined. Mother, have plan
md hope you wont hinder me. II is
this: You know the charming MRS.
Fred Merton who lives in that pretty
house on the corner OF Eighth ana
Peasants treets?"
Eyes, dear"
"She needs maid and have decided
10 ask for the place. Now wait until II
lell YOU my plan. | can work for her
Tor two months before my wedding
John isn't coming here until then.
That will give me some real money for
nv trousseau, and you can have my
things made in your shop. / can learn
how things should be done. The house
is about the size of the one am to live
IN in oxbridgc, and she keeps one maid
and has laundress to come in, Just
exactly as John and planned for our
Ielves."
be Mortified at your working as ser
Vant?"
Nice. 81 shall give another name.
I'm used to work and shall ask ques-
lions and learn lot. You know, Mrs.
Merton belongs to one of the best fam !
lilies and always does the proper
thing" II
"If it were any one else, dear" said
the mother II would think 1t good
plan; but hate to think Of you doing
servants work"
at is the kind of work that thou
sands Of women do in their own homes.
Besides, wouldn't be servant; l
would only take the place of one for a
few weeks, and need the money as
well as the knowledge 0xbridge,
Johns home town, being small place,
goes in hard for society. Parties all
the time, and they dress more there
than in a larger place.
II hate to go to John with miser-
able wardrobe. He wouldn't care-the
dear-but for his sake want some
clothes and como social knowledge.
an learn more in the short time l shall
be at Mrs. Merton's than in years later
besides, / shall be saved the embar-
rassment Of making mistakes"
"oh, dear!" said Mrs. Mangan, look
ing bewildered.
BE a sport, mother, and we'll enjoy
this secret together. We've lived so
secluded here in these little upstairs
rooms that no one pays any attention
70 US, Mrs. Merton has neve. seen me,
Although, beingso popular, have seen
her and heard lot about her, too.
Please, mother"
very well, Allie, l am almost en-
shused."
4 shall go at.once and apply for the
place" said Alice as she pinned on
her hat
50 Alice came back beaming with en-
.husiasm. ~ start tomorrow and Mrs.
Merton is a dear told her was In
experienced except in plain cooking.
She will show me everything for
week. Then l will know tho routine"
Alice returned every evening and
sold other and Louise of what she
had in knowledge She kept q
lotebJ0&.
.'Just think" said she, II didn't know
low table should be set; nor where !
10 seat the guest of honor, and these
ire important things to know. am
aking down tho names Of the kinds OF
china the Mertons have.
.'Then, too, Mrs. Merton is chairman
~ . 49,. ,ak IL, q !