The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-05-14
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
A Race in the Night.
toopyrisht 1918. by the Mcclure New
ey a. w. PEACH.

IT. HE older man looked worried
and weary as he hesitatingly out
lined his request to Steadman
you have always seemed more or less
tfke big brother to Dorothy, and
want you to keep an eye on her while
am away. That white faced Martel
has been hanging around here more
than / like. He's one of the romantic
chaps who rattle a girls judgment.
shall DO in Brazil for month, prob
ably. Just drift over and keep an
eye on her. She's mere girl In many
ways-and she may do something rash
and. che may not"
steadman readily agreed, though q
bit amused by the turn OF affairs. He
had known the dark-haired, dark-eyed
Cprite OF Dorothy Haine since child
hood, and with manhood had come q
HIKING for her closely akin to love; but
for him she had never had more than a
hrotherly greeting and grotherly
manner. Now he was to be her guar
dian.
He expected little trouble, however,
Martel was in the habit OF running out
to the Haines estate from the city and
making daily call. Steadman plan
ned to drift around also in order To
keep check on events.
As he left the big house after his
interview with Mr.. Haines he found
her busily tinkering with the car. II
suddenly dawned upon him that she
was no longer playmate. a mere girl
but woman with much Of a girls
heart.
"Hullo, Buddy" she said in the old
way. I'm getting ready for a spin
this afternoon"
She looked at him curiously as she
said It. He was puzzled by the glance
but did not stop to fathom IT, The idea
that she might want him for passen-
ger never entered his head.
After word OF friendly fun he went
on down the walk without turning. II
he had turned he would have seen the
quaint girlish figure in its woT'dne
garb turn in his direction and .aen
with shake Of the head, bend over
the engine.
That afternoon, returning from a
stroll with his dogs. the sudden guar
dianBhtp that was his was brought
home forcibly to him.
ne saw her car. and looking down
one OF the paths running from the
road, caught a glimpse Of her. and
near her the short, easy figure of Mar
tel. They were walking arm in arm,
and Martel, with head inclined. was
talking to her earnestly. A strange
u{, Hyo. Sfaadn,an
He whistled bit IN order to attract
their attention. for he wanted to take
the path himself.
They looked up in startled man.
Ter and Steadman saw Martel's an
noyance and, too, the flush on her
cheeks. What had Martel been say
ing, Steadman wondered; and slow
question formed in his mind. Was
Martel intending to take advantage OF
Hames absence?
Steadman greeted them. and then
said to her: dot. am coming over to
have game Of rummy with you to-
night. Are you game?"
She laughed at the old challenge. I.
was the game they had played for
years and at which she had beaten
him by narrow margin. :
Sure, come along, Buddy. Perhaps
you can win this time" she answered
IN her quick way. only to hesitate and
look worried as II some after thought
had come to her mind.
Steadmau caught, too, Martel's swift
glance at her, but there did not seem
TO be any particular meaning in the
glance.
They passed and went on. Steadman
idle along. thinking little Of the con,
versation and paying more attention
30 the dogs until he reached his own
house. There up through his mind
came Haines worried warming. "She
might do something RASH"
Steadman stopped IN thought. Could
they have been planning some scheme
which involved a hssty departure, and
perhaUs q marriage that could end on.
b IN regret for her?
.Ldttle happy. day-hearted lid, she
doesn't know enough about love OF
what It 10 to fall In love with him. She
q sfmply having good time" With
that conclusion IN mind he dismissed
the subject from his mind.
About o'clock he set out to walk to
ehe meeting with her. I. was pleas
ant evening and he did not hurry. He
found his thoughts turning again and
again 70 her. "If could only teach
her TO love me-but what's the use?
hewe always been "Bnddy" to her:
end Q GIL doesn't marry her buddy he
tAomat 30 himself.
Hfs serene world b-oke into noise
when he crossed the Threshold OF the
house and was told by the surprised
mad that Dorothy had gone out in her
0S dressed as II for long trip. She
had telephoned to the village garage to
b ready TO oil her car.
Sodadman stared into the mazda
au1ous eyes and saw there the Same
questions that were on his own mind.
He stepped TO the telephone and cali
ID me garage. The answer was brief
MIS- Haines had stopped. WAS any
cpew36 herT Steadman asked. yes
ne answer came back tinged with q
&c 6tsgust that told how the speak.
q. yegalded Martei.
6eeadman's blood rose. Tho maid,
running downstairs told him that Dor.
city had evidently managed to take
tNrosuacled grips. Once more at the
phone 6teadman, ordered the tastes,
car 3n the garage to be made ready.
Running out to the Hafnes 0ayupa