The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-05-09
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Woman's Work.
xCopyright, 1918, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)
~ LINCOLN RuTHBLUM.

BY LINCOLN RoTHeLuM.
<Copyright, 1918, BY the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)
IST was one Of those days in the late
Z 4 fall when ali the world seemed
> tagged BY the long. hot summer,
the natural distemper Of climatic con.
diticns augmented by concern for the
nation At war. suburbanites shufned
home from the; depot laden with bun
dies and cares Of the moment, through
roads deep with the fallen leaves OF
endless hues.
Toward one Of the prettiest cottages
on the street, its pagoda shaped ROOF
leading an oriental air TO Its otherwise
severe lines, walked tall, well-knit
man OF about thirty, the jaunty tones
eof the melody he whistled carried on
2 " the soft evening air. 1t was .
catchy two-step and the girl. leaning
from the open window, caught up the
tune as she emerged onto the Wide
piazza. She was perhaps some twenty
years Of age, her clear blue eyes and
bright expression bespeaking quick.
thinking intelligence.
$50 giad you have come early, Leo,"
she spoke rapidly and sincerely, there
d much of the war news ! want to talk
about"
Eyes. Sophia" he answered in an
4 distracted manner.
But the paper with its attention-at.
tracing headlines in bold letters OF
GIANT size lay on his lap unread; 1t
.was.rot difficult to detect the presence
Of another subject on his mind.
= Can I help?" Sophia asked bluntly.
"I've enlisted"
ENLISTED! I am proud OF you, Leo.
..Are yon, dear? But am concerned
what jackson & Co. will do when 90,
as have started an extensive adver-
Using campaign for them and must
leave II unfinished"
Don't lett worry you. There wiz
be some woman to take your place..
"Take my place? ! cant understand,
Sophia Brentwood, how an otherwise
sensible girl like you can entertain
such ridiculous ideas Of her sex"
Ridiculous! Humphi Leo Langley,
1t 10 you who Is entertaining ridicu-
lous! notions. ! see nothing ridicu-
lous IN the statement that women prac.
tically without exception can fill any
Job man does!"
Langley, irritated. shifted uneasily
from foot to foot, and as he tossed the
paper on the table replied: Perhaps,
then, for a random example, you be-
lieve you could fill my position with
jackson & Cor" And he mentally re-
viewed the campaigns he had success.
fully conducted for that concern as its
manager OF advertising.
The girl, looking very unbusiness-
like IN the feminine daintiness of q
silyer-toned gown OF white satin,
heavy with brocades Of softer tint,
glanced up with puzzling smile.
why mott? she asked in 9 quiet even
sRicycuIous,,. he reiterated: "but
do not let US mar my last visit by such
argument. leave tomorrow for JET.
ferson barracks"
And In the soft words of parting
that ensued, no thought was given to
their differences Of opinion as to won.
ans status or ability in the field held
sacred by man.
..You will write much and often,
dear?'
'Deed,I WILL"
And faithfully the promise was kept.
At first the letters were full OF wonder
and amazement as the recruit passed
through the machinelike intricacy Of
the receiving depot; then came word
OF the assignment and later details
and incidents novel to civilian ears Of
training, soldering and camp routine.
Since his departure the seasons had
revolved their full circle, and fall Of
the following year had barely merged
into winter when the world was cleo,
trified by the sweet news Of victory.
Sophia Brentwood, standing on the
porch of her cottage, anxiously await.
ed the approach Of the postman.
Yes, it's from him." he familiarly
leased as he handed her the envelope
with It's triangular corner card Of red.
AS she read a quizzical smile played
about her lips. exposing two pearfy
rows Of wellformed teeth, deepening
into tiny gurgles OF delight.
And now that the whole business is
over" the letter ran on, ''I1l be COM
ing home without having had my
chance. But with this training feel
able to do lots Of bigger things for
jackson e Co. I've been following
their advertising and / am surprised
how well they executed the campaign
- mapped out"
And. perhaps, had jackson, & Co.
known what an exciting critic they
had In their former advertising mana.
ger. they might have felt much pride
n their publicity department. For the
soldiers few spare hours were devoted
to q minute perusal OF all media avail.
3 able ct the camp recreation buildings
IN his search for the announcement Of
jackson q Co. and to careful read.
Ing Of them. His verdict, confided to
the girl, was grudgingly given but hon.
est. He had to admit the work was
wen done.
disqualification was under rapid way
and ii every community could be
found familiar faces belonging to bod.
les strangely unfamiliar with their
broad chests and husky shoulders and
strong hiceps. As Sophia leaned from
her window. her ear caught the strain
Of whistled melody, Its lifting notes
IN two-step time seeming TO shout
I'm br>E I'm back again"
= Nash she was on the porch into
tho arms OF Q khaki-clad figure, and
despite eyes dtmmed with tears, they
looked delightfully happy. Charming