The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-02-19
15s
CHAPTER 15s.
Mother Lorimer Writes Me Of NY wn Supposed Death!

mOBIlST bOTtIuST WVIIS9 W
II looked very odd, that address to
mile. Eloisc VANDERBILT" in Mother
Lorimer's writing, on the envelope
which was handed me when reached
my room. 1t was uncanny to receive
letter about my own death written
| to girl who was actually dead! / had
to wait until was alone before dared
to open It.
my dear Eloise"-ran the letter
you will have heard the shocking
news by this time and will under
stand why have not been to see you.
am not able to write about Jane at
all. You realize better than any one
else can, how much loved her, for
you saw us together, morning, noon
and night.
1.-THE greatest horror in the whole
dreadful affair. to me. is Bob's COM
Iplete oblivion to Jane as his wife. 1t
lis terrible that she should have had to
die in the clutches of that sorrow
you will wish to know about Bob
IL think he was not aware Of the ac-
cident. He left home the night you
did; he took train to Washington
| joined his commanding officer, and
sailed again for France Immediately.
So of course he missed all our local
papers which made so much Of the
accident. AS he was sorely pressed
for time l think he probably did not
run over the death list in the eastern
papers. And we did not wire him
you will understand why.
"1f / permitted life to break me,
Eloise, / should collapse now. /
stumble on:-your own brave example
helps me and have my husband to
comfort. lie adored Bob's wife, you
know.
"Chrystabel has joined us and we
are leaving FOR Amesville tonight. Be
assured, dear Eloise, that shall come
! to see You as soon as return. Get
we'll fast-I hope you find the sanitar-
ium all that DR.. Certeis promised 1t
should be. Let me hear from you.
u ordered Jappe to send you flow
~~~~~>.~~~~~~
| things spread before her won her Inn.
mediate attention.
Under the gay spell Of his friendli
ness she forgot what waited for her
outside in the night-loneliness. wear
mess, perhaps hunger. Only when at
last they did stand outside did she
realize, and the old horror came over
her; but she put on brave face, only
to discover that she could not fool
him.
He did not ask her where she was
going; he simply said, Now, ! want
you to go to the Wells House-that's
for women and girls, isn't it? And
I'm going to loan you the money. To-
morrow night ! want to see you again
come to the show with me. I'LL have
/, the tickets. Will you?"
Wondering, she listened to the note
of hope In his voice. She opened her
! lips to refuse, but that note stayed
her. He really wanted her to go with
him.
| She nodded, and he caught her arm.
Nov for dreams"
| Ne left her in the lobby of the Wells
House, and she went to her room, to
sleep as she had not slept before, to
dream of pair Of kind eyes that look.
ed at her with the open glance of
friendship and nothing more.
The next day she secured the rest
she 80 sorely needed. In the evening
he came for her, looking anxious ana
q bit surprised as he saw the change
the night and day had wrought in hcr.
In the theatre before the play be.
gan, he asked her abou. her plans for
| the future. The question brought her
back to earth with a thump. 81
haven't any" she whispered; Tets
just enjoy the evening together"
His hand closed on hers for a mo.
ment. "Im with you, little girl. Only
I'm getting weary of my end Of it."
.Why?" she asked, puzzled.
He chuckled softly. you don't
know anything about me"
Except that you've got a big heart
and have been mighty good to me!'
she interjected, her heart warm with
memory Of his Kindness.
He pressed her hand by way OF
thanks. Nothing at all. But. hang 1t,
I'm supposed to make the fun OF this
show go"
In response to her wondering ques-
| ton he said softly. "Sure Here's the
way Of 1t. went to their show back
in the eastern part Of the state. It
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