The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-06-23
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
"a Tent for Two.
BY IZoLA FORESTER.
copyright, 1919, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)

BY IZoLA FORESTER.
copyright, 1919. by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)
N was late when Guen arrived. She
had hoped that Mrs. Bascomb would
meet her at the station, or at least
send down Alma or one OF the boys
They must have received her card on
the noon mail. She was tired and dis
spirited after the long trip up from
New York, and II is not conducive to
Joy to be left on dingy, barren viii.
derness OF hills. with nobody to meet
you.
But she knew her way around from
the trip last year, and found convey.
ance at the village store TO drive her
up to the Bascombs'. 1t was long,
dark drive Of seven miles, but the boy
kept her awake telling her the local
news. Evidently the Bascombs were
making money out OF their tent and
shack idea, the way he spoke Of them.
TThey've got seven tents up there
now, army tents, real ones, and had
to put UP two board shacks besides"
he related happily. and the season
amt even begun yet. Folks come
up this time OF year outer sentiment,
my mother says. She says they get
spring fever in the city and have to
run away. Is that SO, Miss Drew?"
Gnen laughed. 1t was mostly hab-
Il, she told him. n you had ever
been fortunate enough TO become a
paying guest at Rest Awhile Farm
here on spur Of the Catskills, you
would surely come as often as you
could. He stopped at the two tall
white posts that marked the en-.
trance 70, the Bascomb lane.
Guess ITS too late for me to drive
way up there, cause dad don't like
the horses out SO late. There amt
any light up at the house, neither"
ooh, I can find my way" Gueu
said positively. Bring up my SUIT
case and typewriter the first thing in
the morning, won't you. Bonnie? I've
only got q few things In this bag,
and need the rest"
He was right about there being no
light in the farm house, and yet Il
could only be about half past ten.
The white shapes OF the tent colony
showed here and there along the
winding lane and down toward the
glen. She had asked for the same
one as last year, because you caught
the sound OF the waterfall there anu
the pines overshadowed 1t. 1t was
easy 10 find, too, because It stood
alone Just at the edge of the ravine.
She would just steal in and not dis.
turb any one Until morning.
The flap was down and seemed to
he fastened. She set her handbag
down on Che ground and began to
tumble with II, when all at once
there came the quick switch of light
from a flashligfiht inside the tent.
Who's there?" called male voice,
and Gtien gasped.
Haven't you made mistaken" she
faitered. "This is my tent"
II was under the impression 1t was
nine" came the answer in somewhat
lsof growl. wait minutes and I'll
Come out there"
But Guen never stopped to argue the
point. Catching up her bag she fled
back along the lane TO the house and
raped for admittance.
Land child" laughed Mrs. Bas-
comb when she heard what had hap
pered. ~ suppose Pa got-you both
sort Of mixed UP on your dates. He's
q real nice young man. run UP for a
rest. He always used to come here
when he was boy, and after the
war, he wanted to get his grip back.
believe he was wounded little bit.
Anyhow, we told him to come along,
and he must have got your tent. I'll
put you right to bed for the night
ana wen fix It in the morning"
But dn the morning, by the time
she was up and out OF doors, her tent
was ready for her Mr.. Basconb had
hurried the former occupant out and
was all smiles and apologies. she did
not see her fellow boarder until the
neon meal, when all members OF the
tent colony Went UP for lunch to the
main house. He stood near the water
pail by the screen door, laughing with
Mrs. Basdofab, and Guen recognized
8 sven the turn Of his head at that first
glimpse.
And he was even telling about her,
how he had met her down in New
York before he<had enlisted, and she
had told him all about this resting
place for tired bodies and spirits.
II used to think often, over on the
other side, that IL I was ever lucky
enough to get back, was coming up
here to rest awhile in one OF those
tents by the waterfall" he said.
Guen looked down at her plate
He was not adding how she had sent
him away from her and told him to
Learn 10 be worker and a fighter
in1tead OF Just dreamer. He was
not telling them what she had already
heard from their mutual friends, how
10 had won his war cross and had re.
tuined with many honors.
She had wondered II he would try
q find her, or would only remember
row she had sent him away from her
and told him he was only drifter.
And now she had found him in her
tent at the edge OF the waterfall.
He followed at her side as she
walked down the lane 10 the ravine,
ana she listened as he talked of his