The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-02-03
TIE DAILY
SHORT STORY.

Charley Zepp's Feet.
By.ARctiiE CAMERON NEW.
Copyright, 1918. by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)
ii r.IS chair propped up comfortably
against the door lamb. in the
narrow hallway leading from the
stage Of the. Olympia theatre to the
Asbgek alley. with . dim red light cast
Sing It's feeble rays on his white hair,
Baker, the doorman, kept watch,
< smoothly, against the trespass Of UNI
hallowed feet. And then an unhallow-
I "a foot brought him outstanding, and
< an unhallowed hand on his stopped
HloulderS brought a frown, which
quickly changed to grizzled smile
Us 8 bill shot under his nose.
Il say" piped voice, my good
man, will you give this card to Miss
Dolly Hart?"
Um-m," came the answering grunt,
as Baker scanned the card, I'll see.
think her acts on now. Jes' wal"
Baker shambled of. but hadn't got
ten feet when a retaining arm shot out
Sof the darkness and stopped him.
"Pss.t," Kissed Charley ZeDp, reach
ing for the card. who's Dolly's John
ny?v Then as he read the card he
turned surprised face to Andy SEQ.
bell the property man, Shades OF
Morgan, Andy, It's Paper!"
"Piper7" echoed Andy, quizically.
where does he tend bar?"
Can 1t, Andy" growled Charley
Zcpp. Hes no bartender. His dad
dy's names on most o yer weekly
pay
Forests angel" quizzed Andy,
puzzled.
Forests nothing was the retcrt.
He amt got nothin' t do with TIL
r1anaEer'o' this house. He's president
o. tn Consolidated National Bank
worth about fifty million-oh, boy,
what write-up for Dolly"
"Soh pedal!" admonished Andy, in
o hoarse whisper. "You press agents
re regular nuts. Dolly's partner Bill
Hemsleyll give you all that's comm
t you II you 60 to framin' up Dolly
with a money.masher. Besides, this
don't look real-a bank president
Johnnying around stage"
It's his son, not him." and Zepp
gave Andy q scornful lsok. Besides,
y gotta be Q fair property man before
y can get t be a stage doorkeeper
even, and that's ten Jobs below, press
agent. So keep yer mind on yer own
business. This is my meat. Oh, boy!"
Charlie Zepp started for Dolly's
dressing room, and accosted the dainty
little dancer Just as she returned, pant
ing, from the stage. Greeting him with
Q winsome smile, she invited him In.
Cautiously he held his breath until the
door Was closed.
"Well, what's up. Charley?" she de-
manded, dabbing cold cream on her
slightly tinted cheeks-Dolly didn't
need much makeup - nature had
saved her some expense on that score
Biggest thing Ia years." answered
Charlie. hoarsely. You've got him
sittin' up an barkin' for yeh."
Dolly bushed prettily, and q soft
glow suffused her face and neck.
''Who-Billy?" she asked, smilingly.
Coed old kid-he's some boy.''
"Bi11y be dinged!" shst Charlie,
scornf1lly. IA real one-a gilded
gusher-a dough-dripper ~ he Just
oozes Money-millions OF it,
''Thats not Billy, then" admitted
Dolly, and smilinsly; "but he's e."
Course 1t amt" snapped Charley.
s'This is Piper-son o tn big Wall
streeter-he's waitin' for yeh outside
here's his card"
.'For met" asked Dolly, with a puz.
Fled frovn, scanning the card Charley
gave her.
@sure,s insisted Charley, impatient.
II. wants t date y up for tonight.
Bakers waitin' for an answer. Biggest
write up y ever had. kid. Better wrap
4 up an hug It e yer bosom. Shall l
tell I'm yes, an iwhen?"
e Wait, Charley" Dolly's smile
tnrne dto a deep frown. "This Is my
business. don't want to see him.
Tell him no."
'why2' demanded the perspiring
press agent. "Think OF 1t, Dolly. Just
30 out with 5im once. Jes' once-and
look at tn big headlines in tn papers.
Leave 1t t me. James Piper's Son
sfYSV04skA 4bOA1y 11dItt LuS 1ETGPGCSSl0lS
smgenue.' Why. 1t means millions t
ssyeh, kid"
& .But ! can't marry him, i" Dolly
broke OF abruptly.
''F don't have t." assured Charley,
eagerly. though / dent see why not.
He's q gold mine. But all y gotta do
is strin g'fm along fer coupla din.
ners, an I'll do TIL rest. Look where
S;it'll get yeh. can see yer name now
Son th' 'lectric sign out front. Hens
ley and Hart-Dances Divine. Or even
Dolly Hart-the IrrepressibleN In
genue.' Y can drop Bill Hemsley."
"Cut that!" said Dolly, sharply.
Whatever comes OF. Bills IN on It,
too He's a good kid. AM
.All right, all right soothed Char.
ley, then returned to the attack.
Come on, take It while tn takin's
good. Shall tell i'm yes?" "a
s'nr-no,' 'faltered Dolly, thinking
bt the big electric sign. "Er-telll him
70 call-tomorrow highland I'll let
him know"
"Rutr
"Tell him Just that" snapped Dolly,
4 liecisiveiy ''I'll think It over"
Better had then" surrendered
Charley, content with Q partial vic.
tory Think Of the big pay, tn big
Is a Ann $3.50 80 lf.-3 ;. F