The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-11-08
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
A Sleeping Beauty

fGH ILLO MuggtnS!" Johnny Deed
shouted from the road. The
4Glgure In the rocking chair
upon the Martin porch did not Lift his
eyes from the book in hand, Johnny
halloed again again his answer was
silence Of inconsistencies clearly
Louise Martin did not mean to admit
that she had ever responded to the
name Of MMuggins Johnny grinned
cheerfully, and scattered up the wind
ing walk, to pause at the steps. dou
his hat, and say with an elaborate
obeisance: rs the-ahi ahem-lady
of the. house at home?"
Not to-vagabonds," the rocking
chairs occupant returned TRANQUILITY
: Its eyes still down. Next minute two
warm hands fell over them-th:
head holding them was drawn gently
back and kiss planted upon a patr
Of soft red lips.
That's how you wake sleeping
beauty isn't it?" Johnny asked guile
lessly. Louise had risen and faced
him, a furious scarlet flooding me-.
cheeks. She dared not speak-if snc
did she would either laugh or cry.
Either meant triumph for Johnny, the
lawless she knew of old his capacity
to torment her Silently she turned
to go inside-then Johnny caught
both her hands and set her down not
very gently, saying: mo you don't.
not in this company. What ails you
Used to be the best sort OF sport,
you did"
you meant was barbarian, the
same as you" Louise burst out.
We'll, I've learned better manners.
Unless you can do the same-please
keep away from here"
"H-m! Is that a true word-or
Just make-up?" Johnny asked, the
least shade Of seriousness creeping
into his face. Louise glared at him.
will you never grow up?" she storm
ed. "You know, you must understand
my position here in my uncle's house.
His wife is the very properest person
with a leaning to wild ways under
the rose. If she had heard you say
'Muggins' l should never have been
anything else to her-of course, in
strict privacy, she makes Uncle Ben
think her q sort Of grown up Snow
White.-Already she hates me, because
see through her. If she knew any
thing Of those mad, happy old days
when we were play-fellows, thinking
and knowing no evil, she would have
whip already to her hand, and she
would use it to put me through my
PAGES"
"She shan't know, girl. I'm willing
to kick myself a mile!" Johnny ex-
ploded. II ought to have thought,
Of course, the neighbors know some
thing Of the dual personality of the
new Mrs. Benjamin Martin. Still, /
honestly didn't dream of making you
trouble. Forgive me all my imDer-
thence and let me know if can
help you in any way"
"Only ina very hard way-for
me-" Louisa said signing. THAT 49,,
by staying away until-be sure I'm
not here for always. Uncle says MAJ
tin blood forbids my working. have
another notion as to that-Td rath-
err scrub floors for living than stay
here much longer"
you need not stay day-remem-
ber?" Johnny began significantly.
Louise looked over his head, flushing
deeply. Don't let's think of impos-
sibiIities,p she said, but sighed as she
said it. Johnny laid 9 brotherly hand
on her shoulder, asking: Haven't
you got over anything" In reply
she could only shake her head and
turn away, biting her lips.
Johnny strobe Zip and down the
porch, his face dark, his brow deeply
furrowed. Thus Mrs. Martin came
upon him and smiled unpleasantly as
she glanced from one to another Of
the pair. So did the man in her
wake, who was by appearance neither
young nor old, good nor bad, but ire
mendously we'll groomed and we'll tail
ored as reaffluence as the perfectly
appointed ar which had brought him
and his hostess. At sight Of HIN
Louise hurried away, to be REGAL Lied
imperiously, then hidden in a velvet
voice please to order tea and serve
1t. Johnny must stay for it, of course
"a balanced party was so much more
pleasant. Moreover, he had been So
long in coming over, he must be es.
pecialy we'll treated in hope Of a re-
turn. AL this cooingly, avid eyes the
while measuring his six foot one OF!
vigorous manhood. His handsome
tanned face and vital close-cropped
curls. Mrs. Martin, fair, forty, Ian
gushing. approved all Of them thor
oughly-all the more that he made her
Escort Franklin Ware seem so fad
ed and meager: She looked at john
ny; indeed, with much the same gloat
ing expression that Ware gave to
Louise Johnny saw and shivered-
not for himself, but for the prospect
before Louise.
He got no private word with her,
though he fingered to the last allow
able moment. He could not even
watch over her, Mrs. Benjamin was
too wholly bent on his capttvatlon.
But he had sense that she was suf-
fering deeply from the glances and
compliments of Ware Small need
for Mrs. Benjamin to say, as she did
when she went half way down the
walk with them: Matters are arrang-
ing themselves so beautifully. We
shall have wedding before we know
1T. Louise win make the most beau
tiful bride in the world"
He galloped away, ready to swear
at life and things. II only Louise
would forget that cursed Melville and
marry her faithful Johnny all things
would como right. He was sure she
did not love the real Melville but
49, A0IIAH he hta