The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-05-26
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Scraps From the Waste
Basket.
BY Lillian HALL CROWLEY.
Copyright 1919. by the Mcclure News

paper SyuQlCdIes)
r Ohm ARMSTRONG sighed pleas
antly as he dropped into the
j hammock.
His eyes wandered over the lawn
and across the street to the bay be,
yond; the beautiful shimmering water
the blue sky above and the charming
houses along the street protected by
towering elms.
At last he had come away from the
rush of business; the noise of the
city and the endless engagements to
take much needed rest in quiet lit
tie fishing village.
Here he could rest to his hearts
content. No one was in hurry. No
one had lofty ambitions. Just to get
through each day, one like another
and for recreation dance in the town
hall where every one was welcome.
He certainly did need a rest he
thought. Why. his nerves were calm
er already. Not thing here would
lar them. In a little while he would
don bathing suit and go into the de.
Gcious salt water. No big waves even
to thrill him. Just enough OF swell
TO make him enjoy keenly the trouble
of gonig in. Then delicious nap
when he became as drowsy as If he
were drugged. And he would be drug
ged, too, by the restful beauty Of 1t
Oh, yes, life was good again. He
would go back to Wall street a new
man-but now he wouldn't think of
business. He would put away all ex-
element and enjoy the present.
Just then a little flirting breeze,
one more vigorous than any of her
companions. waited a piece Of paper
right at his feet. He looked at 1t
carelessiy, then was attracted by the
beauty Of the handwriting. He picked
Il up. II was evidently letter with
top and bottom torn off the page.
II certainly was beautiful writing,
and he read few words. 1t was only
Q scrap and even II 1t were some ones
letter It could not be important OF it
would not be blowing about. OF course
It was anybody's now. Still admirinr
the writing, he read on:
And now, Evangeline, have the i
be at the house for some practical plr-
pose before he robs and murders the
old man; otherwise your idea 3
good one. Let me know DALI how
you are getting along. Cood-by.
Oven"
Armstrong leaDed to slit ng posi-
ton. What foul plot was this and
who was Erangehne? Tat paper
was new. so some one r. It be plan.
ming a murder right r7w-this very
minute!
He dropped back " .ae hammock
He saw his duty pla ly. He must fol
this she devil Eve cline. Evangelfne!
What name f." murderesss. More
suitable for r re and beautiful won.
an. What ccG.d he do?
Nothingi
: Sih, he could be. on the alert. Ha
locked abcut the lawn for more scraps
OF pape' and was rewarded in his
search W another torn piece, same
writ same paper. He read:
tes, Evangeline, you have done
veil to choose such quiet place and
am sure you will succeed In your
plans. No one suspects"
Evangeline again. The name was
all he had TO go on. He would walk
about talk to people and listen for the
name.
HIS iandlady's little daughter came
70 sit with him In the hammock. They
had become good friends in the past
week.
fTell me- he said to the child, "do
you ever have robberies here or any
thing Of the kind?
"oh, no." she answered, 1--WE never
lock our doors. Nobody ever steals
anythtng!"
That night-he tossed about in bed:
the swish OF the waves did not soothe
him as II usually did, It was his duty
to uncover this crime anu he must
hurry or the murderer would succeed.
he was awakened In the morning by