The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-04-25
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Construction Romance.
By DORA II. NOLAN.

YUST three months from the day on
which the armistice was signed
mammoth ship, largest OF all things
in the world. steamed into the harbor
Of the metropolis Of the western hem
isphere. Every person on the west
side OF that city was made aware OF its
approach, for giant siren cleared its
throat and let forth long-dravn-out
below, which died down to gurgle,
rose and fell again and again.
The siron, located on the roof Of a
skyscraping building, was fulfilling
mission quite dierent from that for
which it had been designed. 1t had
been installed to give warning Of enc.
mics in the air should they come. Ger
man air raids? Who remembered,
now, that they had ever been feared?
One Of thousands who had helped to
make OF that fear thing to be laugh
ed at, and who was now leaning over
the rails of the Leviathan receiving
the tumuItuous welcome OF flag ana
steam whistle extended BY the city,
was Sergt. Charles Brenden, typical
of all; for though slight of build and
OF medium height, he was well set up.
. with clear blue eyes and possessed OF
that confident air which belongs 10
man who has proved himself equal to
any emergency.
It might be hours before they dock
ed. The huge craft was surrounded
by tiny, putting tugs. pulling, pushing
and coaxing, like ants as they force
an object far larger than themselves
to do their will. But they were home
home! And the welcome was all
they had dreamed. Eagerly their eyes
searched the shores for well-remem-
bered landmarks; gayly they scram.
bled for the papers, cigarettes and can
dy thrown on board from the small
trait bearing the mayors committee
" welcome.
Charles thoughts ran on ahead. OF
Lourse, after today, things would quiet
down. They would entrain for a camp
for rehabilitation. Then to the city
that wonderful city yhose jagged sky
line he recognized in almost every de-
tail. And right away after that his job
In the city office Of an outoftown silk
mandatory.
On Saturday morning Brenden was
mustered out, and that afternoon he
arrived in town, along with many OF
his comrades. The hurry and hustle,
jangle and clatter of the traffic was
music to his ears.
The avenue was decorated in his
their-honor. The scene thrilled al
most as much as on the day when their
ship entered the harbor. Charles
crossed to Sixth avenue and took the
L-no underground route for him to-
day. To feast his eyes on the life AMI
movement OF his native city appealed
more than a greater speed.
Alighting at Sixty-sixth street,
Charles proceeded straight to his old
boarding place. And then the vel
come began all over again, for Miss
Johnson answered the bell; and she
was one of that rare species. kind
hearted lady For an elderly spinster
her kiss was not bad imitation of
what a mothers might be. Anyway,
1t seemed like that to Charles, who
had no recollections Of the genuine
thing.
His room was awaiting him, It's last
occupant having been unceremonious-
IL ousted in his behoof. Everybody
rejoiced at his return. Elderly Mr..
Beckwith blew him to dinner and a
show that night. Sunday was spent in
looking up some friends.
So altogether this war veteran OF
twentythree was in a happy mood
Monday morning when he started
downtown to see the "boss" about get
ting back on the job pretty soon and
to say "hello" to the office force.
Itwas so early that only old Gruber,
the janitor, was on hand; but he start
ed the welcome and 1t grew as the
force gathered for the daily grind.
Only two others besides himself had
left the office for the service and he
was the first one back. So Charles
knew most Of the staff and sooD met
the others. They bombarded him with
questions and, Of course, were thanked
again for his Christmas box.
"But who sent that dandy warm
sweater?" Brenden asked. The card
read, From girl with brown eyes.
His eyes followed those Of two chaps
who stood nearby to the edge of the
little group-and straight into those OF
q girl. She was good to look upon
and Charles looked for long seconds
before he fell to the fact that the eyes
into which he was so rudely staring
were brown and beautiful. Just then
the door opened and the group preci-
lately broke up. The girl was gone.
with the rest, and Charles was left
standing alone, as the manager enter
ed the room.
Mr. Huber greeted the returned SOL
der In his usual bluff manner: what,
you back. Brenden2" And after shak-
ing hands added: Come into my Of.
fie in. five minutes"
Promptly the boy stood before the
familiar desk, and the boss looked up.
well, Brenden, what can do for
you?" Huber inquired, after asking
some rather perfunctory questions
about Charles experiences, and an
swers to which did not seem to par
ticularly interest him.
You can give me my Job back
again, sir. That's what came for"
Charles had learned to address his
superior officers briefly and to the
point.
MN. Sit down minute" the man.
ager replied. The minute, and several
more, were consumed in an attempt
on the part Of Huber to convince