The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-10-27
THE d ALLY
SHORT STORY
Her Little Boy.
81 lzoLA FoRREsTER.
(CopyriRht, 1913, by the McCIufe
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Zone No nap grown " LEG LbOtS 80
any other voice at the Grand View ho-
tel. They were walking on the wide
yeranda that looked seward, and
midsummer, honey colored moon was
throwing a path Of gold out over the
waters Of the bay. The last two even
fngs, while they took this same prom
enade at moonrtse, the Major had
wondered whether he would be able 10
escape the penalty of sentiment before
the moon slipped back into her first
quarter.
'fHe,s such a dear little lad, big blue
eyes and that crispy curly hair, don't
YOU know, that gives boy such q
manly look? I'ye.ke him at the mill
itary, academy ever since he was ten
Isfelt / ought to make the sacrifice for
his sake, even while dreaded the sep
aratlon. And wanted him in a west
ern school. do think the ideals are
more democratic5 don't you, Major
Chalmers? She caught his nod cop
tentedly, and went on. His letters
have been SO tender and well-sort OF
big in their outlook, for such a little
chap, thought. Did / read the lasp
6ne 10 you? / meant to. They have
lust been everything to me in the
years OF separation"
, 81 trust his coming will not cut
short your stay here, Mrs Lathrop."
The Major threw an extra note OF So
licitude in his voice, as he slipped hei
silk scarf over her shoulders. we
could hardly spare you now"
"Stll, l think Irene wishes you
would go on to Newport" she spoke
thoughtfully and delicately 1T Is
rather slow here for a young attrac-
tive girl like her"
They had reached turn on the We
randa, and the dancing floor of the big
double music room came in view. 1t
was brilliantly lighted for the nightly
"hop," and even from where they stood
they could see the court of Irene, her
dark hair and white, slim shoulders
turned to them, and surrounding her
all the available, best looking men in
the hotel. The Major frowned ana
laughed at the same time.
"Slow? She's kept me busy refus-
ing suitors ever since she got out OF
school three weeks ago. She's Just
seventeen and" he paused, the next
words that would commit him to fu-
ture matrimony trembling on his
tongue. Mrs. Lathrop lifted her head
and looked at him attentively, earnest
", her gray eyes filled with under
standing sympathy. They had shad-
ows beneath them, and her skin was
dusky like peach blow vase, the lips
beautiful rose touch, and deep dim
Die in her pointed chin. And suddenly
the major was stumbling like poy
telling her how the one hope OF ms
life was to win her as his wife.
"But what about Irene? She has
been everything to you ever since
your sister died." :,
Sufficient unto the dayris the evil
thereof" quoted the Major, lifting her
hand close to his lips.
The-next morning before her break
fast tray had been sent up, Mrs. La
throp had q caller. There came a
heavy, imperative rap 7on the outer
door Of her suite, and then the door
opened and strange man entered.
Surely, It was strange man. Mrs.
Lathrop gave a frightened little cry
and sat up in bed, her silk negligee
drawn close about her shoulders, as
she stared at him. He was five foot
ten. and broad of shoulder, tanned and
iubilant, husky, healthy youngster OF
nineteen.
"Mother, you grand old darling, how
are you?" He wrapped her about IN a
swift, hungry embrace that left her
crushed and aghast. II came sooner
than !, expected to, because bunch OF
the fellows were bound this way and |
wanted to make the races with them at
New London. Gee, the ocean smells
good. I'm hungry, tooI%
GRalph," she put him from her gently,
almost feeb1y. "How did you ever
grow so tall and enormous?"
"Sight, am l? 1 was afraid I'd
shock you He kissed her laughingly,
without remorse. "Its funny to have
g1ch q pretty little mother I'll bet a
cookie you're a heart smasher yet"
Mrs Lathrop WINGED at the last
word. Yet? Her forty eight years
+, had never faced her so uncompro-
5 rnisingiy before. Later on, as they
walked along the board walk to the
beach, she felt her heart beat fast at
the thought Of the impending meeting
With the major, Her little boy she had
called him, and he had really seemed
that 1t had been three years since
she had seen him and he had been a
little, awkward, half-grown cub Of al
boy, and now he was man. She won
dered II it would mean the end of her
own midsummer romance. Would the
major stand. the shock? Suddenly
Ralph gave a low whistle and looked
ahead Of them, his eyes keen with
quick Joy.
ssay, mother, dear, excuse me just
q minute, won't you? There's girl !
met out west"
She sat down to wait for him under
one OF the sunshade shelters, and here
the Major Joined her. He was de-
lightfully proprietary and tender with
her, and then he sighed and motioned
to her to look down on the beach. Two
agures showed behind a cherry red
parasol,
81 told Irene this morning, and she
laughed at mo and 'tessed up, It
foOmS that she's been engaged for four
months, and didn't dare tell me be-
cause II seemed Just boy and girl at
taiTs Have you any sympsthy with
thom at Rllf ! mean, do you think
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