The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-09-29
THE DAILY
sI0RT STORY
wasted Years.
eNLilY WANpEL.
ccoyrlght, 1919, by the Mcclure
~, - ,,-,,,a. Syndfpate

Newspaper Syndicate.J
tETNAl ISTERRETT sat In the
"a crowded depot waiting for the
4 Atrain that was to take her back
10 the home she had left reluctantly
md heavy hearted nearly twenty
years ago. She dreaded the return,
4 was not home to her; home was
what she was now leaving
she hated to 20 back and see what
migift have been, the happiness she
could have claimed II she had stayed
K she had not listened to what she hao
Thought was the call OF duty. Twenty
years 81 wasted effort, yet she had tolo
hersell that she was happy; but nov
she knew differently, her eyes were
opened She had given up the best
years OF her life and now, no longer
needed, unwanted she must 90 back
md pick up the remnants Of the old
lorgptten lie.
Sitting there in the bustling wait
M room she remembered her gtrlish
attachment for Clifford Holmes, nov!
maenified BY 1onesomeness and spin
tefhood to great love. No actual
engagement had existed-meFely an
understanding, the unbinding country
Excepting company" And Bretna nao
always feared the dancing eyed Nancy
Dove like premonition of what would
5e realized. Then came the crisis III
her life. In a distant town her sister
sied. A letter followed from the de-
.nsirino husband. William, the father
* five small children.
After a night Of agony OF indecislon,
,orn between duty and the thought OF
osfng Clifford, Bretna wrote that she
would come for few months. She
IA hoped that her sweetheart wouln
speak before she left, but his words
Fere vague, unsahsfying. In few
weeks came letter from home link
M the names Of Clifford and Nancy.
The children having the measles pre-
vented her rushing home. shorty
ifter their recovery came CLIFFORD
brief confirming note. Nancy had
stolen her sweetheart.
After the death Of her parents the
following year she cut all communica
ion With her home town, NOR. than
ready to yield to the new life and for
Bretna looked back at the wasted
Years Of ton, unselfish burden bearing
NE sacrificed. And for what pur-
pose To be dumped aside now that
her Iabors were no longer needed. inc
Youngest and last of the five children
had married and William had decided
to make his home with his taVorlte
daughter. The house, grown so dear
70 Bretna, was rented. There was
nothing for her to do but 80 back TO
me village and witness the happiness
NAT might have been hers.
And she had loved them SO dearly,
Il. the Oldest, and the twins, Frank
snd Zee. Jimmie, her favorite, and the
goungei tt and pet, little golden haired
NAY. on size would tear them all OUT
( her heart, even William who had
slWays been so kind and good.
Bretna found the little cottage, her
inheritance, and began in a half heart
a way to clean up and keep house
she was lonesome, desperately nome
siek and ashamed Yes, mortified, to
ace the old friends and acquaintances
Who knew Of her love affair. She re-
sented their pity. Every time she
5arvousiy entered the village stores
81 heard the whispering. Once she
might yes, Nancy stole him away,
snd iipoor sirl." Then all the more she
snyeloped herself In q mantle OF ice
and kept everybody miles away VIII
.he coolest OF mods.
Most OF the day she worked In the
.tonv vegetable patch and the evening
~ slone ana desolate in the Vine GOV
sfed porch trying not to think OF Wi.
iam,s cherry voice and Mays hghi
ianeh. or hear the old familiar creah
n "a garden gate announcing q visit
q one OF the married sons.
wasted years, wasted years, croaE-
"a me distant frogs, and Bretna's
srembling iips repeated the words ever
81 IA the -ceilinged bedroom Ia
.nso the night.
Then came the berry season, ant
prelna, with pals and sunbonnet
wandered over the wooded hillstdss
la the neat OF tue uay suS sOueHt
shady SPOT to partake Of the simple
Innch she carried. Occasionally, an
other berrypicker would attempt to b.
.ociable, but Bretna refused to re-
soond But one very hot noon hour
-r4y-haired woman, bent and tired
oofing awakened her sympathy; sht
,aefed the stranger drink Of COLI
,oilee. The woman extended her red
work. sifiened fingers, staring, bu
made no move 70 grasp the cup.
/ i've, it's Bretna sterrett!"
Bretna opened her eyes very wide
She honestly did not recognize the hol
Iow-eyed, shabby dressed woman.
aBfetna, donf you remember me
Nancy Dover
Nancy Dovep she gasped, and al
he old bitterness sprang to her lips
you, who stole" and stoppe;
nuickly, flushing,
ayes. / took Clifford away iron
Won Finished the woman listlessly
II rot him and all that went with him
All tie heartaches, the misery, tn
rambiing. the debts, disgrace AM
-hame. even abused And you'll know
r4HgnI .,tIfa1o ynak Ne,