The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-12-20
THE DAILY
.sHORl STORY
Gifts for Four.
a BY 4. RAY BAKER
! Copyright, 1919, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)

Ttflfif ~ aA"s
Copyright, 1919, by the Mcclure
Newspaper syndlcate)
q yERYWHERT was snow.
~ II was drifted so deeply In the
81 streets that automobiles found no
l,oroughfsre; 1t beat against store
rind6ws, but was less successful IN
(iotting out the green and red lights
ited n decorating; It tried to acclrn-
IIate on the sidewalks, but was SHOW
Iied into high pilcs at the edge, form :
Irs ghostly ramparts. II was carried
Whirling and spiraling alc2g th' IN
irsnehmantS In q overcoming suc'
tSsion al waves.
Tho fine, COLI, white dust was driy-
Il into, the face OF Mrs. Nathan j.
4 srRySon, aud she. WINGED and raised
her mum as buffet. 1t stung The red
sountenance Of Nathan j. Grayson to
IN even more ruddX hue and entered
6s eyes and made him blink.
II pierced the busny neglected
,eard OF slnu Mosley, and his COM
DIexion became more Chalky, ana nc
sflnged and shtvered, 1t struck
lharply against the full-moon fa2e OF
Eerance McIleady, and 1t bothered him
lot at all Terance was to the cold as
duck is to water-he shed 1t.
Mrs. Grayson, the young society
natron. was on the arm Of her hui
Sand. Slim Mosley was on the arm
II Terance McReady. The GraySohs
we're going to the Christmas eve e&-
.rcises in the church. Slim and Ter
lnce we're on their way to the town
iail, the former being tramp and the
latter a night Waterman.
Mrs. Grayson was indignant, and
the thin, slouching figure, and the TO- o.,
bust, rotund form on the sidewalk
ahead of her and her escort were inc
"The brute!~ she calculated, ragged
in silence moment, then burst out
again with 1.-THE brute" -.
"What did you say my dear?"
inquired Mr.. Grayson, bending over
SO that her mouth nearly touched
his ear, which looked like big danger
signal, it was so red and so large The
wind had made his wifes remark I'M
ineligible.
into his ear. Brute! brute! brute!"
MIR, Grayson raised his bushy,
snow-bedec ked eyebrows and MN
Eled surprise and pain showeE on
his countenance.
'rWhy why" he returned
shouting to make himself heard q.
what have / done now, my dear?'
II didn't mean you!" she shrieked
hack at him, as they turned cor
ber. still In the wake Of the jail.
hound pair, and met broadsids OF
wind and snow. Il meant tha ~, Ief :
Inoe McReady, ahead Of US. He's a
bruteI Nobody but brute would look
man up In Jail on Christmas eye.
my he's brute!"
Eyes, yes, SO he Is" agreed Mr..
prayson, which was a habit with
aim when his spouse made state
nent, experience having shown such
h course advisable. "Terance Nc
Ready Is q brute, my dear-a brute!
The brute, in SO far as facial ap-
Saaraneo went, seemed we'll named
|eayins out OF consideration the I'M
ehristmasilke act Of deprtving =
Erpipn Of his liberty on the night
bsfore Christmas. The countenance
had tho f1ll-moon contour such as
usually 'bleSses q jovial pcrson, but
the mouth was marrod with scar
that made It turn down at one end
and u broken nose, the result OF a
mixup with thugs, enhanced his I'M
It the next corner Mrs. Grayson
and her huBband-escort tlrned 10
the left, while Slim Moslay and his
baptor won't to the sight. A few
steps farther on q black and white
object darted across The path Of the
HTRyBons and lowered IN a doorway,
shiVeriuE and crying:
nPoor kIteenl" observed the socie-
~ matron, during lull in the wind
Is she nestled her face in her muR
tPaet little thing! Why doesn't some
sne kill II and put It out Of its mis-
SsomsSOdy ought to-" agreed Mr.
Soon they entered the warm
brightly lighted church, and Mr.
Hrsyson escorted his wife between
fgWs Of faces beam!ng with Christ
mas cheer, and they found seats neal
he front, Soon the sdtfice resounded
With the strains OF peace on earth,
kpod will toward men, rendered by
th voices Of children.
Night Waterman Terance McReady
piigted his prisoner between rows o.
sells, dark and empty, and stopped
before ono at the end Of the lane.
i'You're the only guest tonight
Slim" he said as he changed open
4 door, but I'm prepared for you
I thought mebbe we'd have some
body tonight"
He turned a switch In the corridor
Tnd flooded the cell with light, The
ramp entered and was about to throw
himBelf on the bunk, when his glance
net an object that caused him to stand
and blink,
MGReady from the other side Of the
bars. .''Help yourself, Slim, I've got
e nice and warm, and mebbe yel
tnd some things there that yen like
lleot to 90 out in the storm and keel