The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-10-02
HE d ALLY
SHORT STORY
aArtieo.
az DORA NOLAN.

BY DOHA MOLlAh.
Copyright, 1919, by the Mcclure
Newspaper syndicate.)
WyHEN Sarah Molthrope married
nv Arthur Allen sne changed the
style of "doing" her hair.
ndmother Molthrope dlsapproved.
saraii she said in her precises
MID way, "your hair was very be-
coming parted in the middle as you
iiaYe always worn 1t. Now that you
nave changed the parting so far to
one side It gives you a very unbal-
anced appearance. And l have MOTTO
cd IN my long life" she added Whirn-
eiealiy. shat exterior looks exert q
pronounced influence on ones mental
Processes To which Sarah answer
ed one word, Nonsense"
Two months later Grandma NAL
thrcpe again spoke to her faVorite
gfandchild on the same subject:
asarah, y she said gently but decided
you are giving too much time TO
YOUR house and not enough to Arthur
part your hair in the middle again,
child. It will give you more bal
anced set Of valves" Sarah shut her
month tight on some words she would
have spoken had this repeated advice
come from any one but her beloved
grannie.
1t was directly after supper that
night that Arthur proposed to his VIE
g that she accompany him over to tne
Sykes house next door. Il hate 10
miss day, dear. The poor fellow
looks forward so much to my visits.
It's no Joke to be confined to one
room for months, you know and I've
made 30 many excuses to Mrs. Sykes
on your account" he pleaded; do
come along this time"
A 'Tt's not necessary for you to make
any at ALL" Sarah answered. you
know what think of that woman
what every one around here thinks.
She's altogether too free and easy IN
her manner and in her dress. Any
way, it's impossible for me to 90
now. never leave my supper dishes,
you. know"
That this last was thinly yelled
accusation OF Mrs. Sykes's house
keeping methods Arthur knew. yes
IknoW youn never leave anything you
NAV want to do on my account" Wlth
these words Sarah's husband Slam
med the kitchen door behind him.
For moment Sarah felt stunned.
ii was the first time Arthur had ever
spolsen Grossly to her. Then she
fhought even harsher things OF her
Snextsdoor neighbor, who had only re-
Gently moved into the village. A mar
fied woman who wore her hair boobed
and went on the street dressed as
MIS- sykes did was capable of any
thing. Sarah decided. Could Grand
ma Molthropes words have carried
hidden meaning? Were they intended
AZ q yelled warning? Was the tnValld
tfie only attraction next door? In
snite OF her queer dress, Mrs. SYKES
). was pretty. Here Sarah's thoughts
were interrupted by the sharp ring
ing Of the telephone bell.
1t was an out-of-town call. MT
Allen was wanted. Sarah ran out to-
the edge of her lawn and called, There
was, no answer. She went farther-toI
the foot of the Sykes front steps-and
was about to repeat her call from
there. But she didn't. And this is
I si Through the screen door came
The soft contralto voice OF Mrs,
sykes: "oh, Artie dear! You don't
know how heavenly it is just to SIT
Is your lap a while and feel your
comforting arms"
It was enough. Sarah paused to lis
ion no longer. Even ignoring the re-
ceiyer LEFT off the hook, she ran
straight down the street to Grandma
Molthrope. That wise old lady listen.
ed silently, strokng the one-sided
mart in her fayorite grandchild's hair
meanwhile.
"My dear" Grandma Molthrope
spoke in her usual gentle voice. you
stay right here. will go and see what
all this is about" Sarah didn't re-
mcnstrate, Just buried her head lit
tie deeper in the sofa cushion and
waited. All her life she had gone to-
Grandma Molthrope when in trouble,
and she had never failed her yet.
It seemed hours since grandma's
cane had tapped down the front walk,
but in reality only short time had
elapsed, when Sarah again heard the
familiar sound. When the old lady
entered the room, her expression was
@noncommital.
NOW, child she said, "go upstairs
and comb your hair over. Part it
straight in the middle. Then l will
have something to tell you" Wonder
Ing, but knowing well that when her
grandmother used that tone she ex-
pected to be obeyed, Sarah went.
-. oil Of
Sarah when the latter returned. It's
much more becoming that way, child.
You must go over and call on the
woman tomorrow, Sarah. She's fas-
cinating little thing as unconVen'
.ional as she looks"
"But, grandma" Sarah broke in
Oewildered, 81 heard her say it l tell
you. Where is Arthur"
Still up visiting with Mr.. Sykes
when l left dear. He doesn't know
I'm Il