The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-05-13
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Inspection Invited.
BY IONA FROST.
copyright 1913. by the Mcclure
Marina mar SxnhIcafaA

my cycling with pride the
= brand new sign he had Just
dangled from the old arm on the end
Of the gate post. II that don't fetch
EN-, nothing will. Gwen. Pretty nifty.
amt #, even II your little brud did
doNit for you"
Gwen rested from her labors and
smiled with deep satisfaction. The
sign was conspicuous, but not rudely
%, and It was TO the point.
FINEST HAND LAUNDERING.
INSPECTION INVITED.
ut was hard TO get Il all there,
too. want you to know" added Tom.
Think folksTl talk much?"
Who cares how much they talk;
90 long, bbyi" Uncle Peter brushed
him TO one side disdainfully. Miss
Gwen amt goin' ter touch any wash.
In, Is she? She's jes' the official ne
gotiator. Julia's goin' ter turn ont all
de hand washin' dey send along"
Wouldn't the major Just chew
nails II he could see It." Gwen smiled
happily. ITS SO nice to have an IL
1ustrous father who never comes to SEE
you, and is around on the other side
OF the world most Of the time. / real.
ly think Dad believes we live on hon
ey and cream and sunshine, Tommy.
Well get some good roast beef once
more and whole barrel of flour at
once instead OF rations. You've got to
drive after all laundry and deliver II
on Saturday. Tom. I'll do 1t week.
days"
Glendale was treated to the sur
prise OF years when the full signifi-
canoe Of the sign on the old Hilbert
place dawned on its inhabitants. Ger
tainly the two Hilbert children were
liable TO do anything radical, coming
from the stock they did. but at least
they were supposed to keep to the line,
socially. When Gwen drove calmly
around the small town In her smart
yellow cart ealing for and delivering
laundry as II she were scattering
blessings broadcast. even little Miss
Carey, the dressmaker, said II did
seem as II all shame and decency had
gone out OF folks when they could take
In washing.
But oddly enough, the new laundry
prospered amazingly. For the guests
at the two hotels at the springs had
never heard OF Major Hilbert or his
children. and after the first samples of
Aunt Julia's washing reached custo.
mers. Gwen found she could control
the summer trade.
So the big grove back OF the smoke
house became huge open-air laun.
dry where Aunt Julia reigned su-
preme over five helpers. and Uncle
Peter drove the yellow cart now in.
stead OF Gwen. It was quite enough
work to manage -the<Iittie office she
lad opened OF the dining room, and
keep track Of everything. $3.50;
And before the first month was
over there was such a wonderful ba,-
ance to the good that Gwen ran out
to the grove and Rugged Aunt Julia be.
fore everybody. and cried a little on
her ample shoulder.
We'll pay up every last blessed
bill In three months II this keeps up."
she exclaimed. You darling, you.
Aunt Julia. declare I'll give you u
pale pink velvet robe Of glory for this.
Do you know we've got every one OF
the new guests. every last one? This
Mrs. Remsen is dear old thing. She's
got two sons coming On from some
where today, and she says they al
ways wear pongee pajamas, and she's
never yet found laundry could d.
them up right. We will, won't we,
auntie?"
The next morning the yellow cart
stopped outside the iron rail fense.
and Gwen saw that Uncle Peter had
some one with him. some one who
hurried UP the walk to the veranda
and rang the bell outside the screen
door energetically. She answered
it hersef. He seemed very cice and
very tall and boyish.
why. you see." he began, chcer-
naly. you're Miss Hilbert, aren't
you? I'm Dick Remsen. My brother
and came on last night from New
York and ] promised your father I'd
call at once"
dad! Is he over here?" gasped
Gwen. Elancing at the sign instructive.
". "0h, Lord!"
Hes not hurt Bit" Dick assured
her earnestly. Hes in find coudi.
ton, but he can't come on for a while
yet. I'm awfully glad to meet You.
Hes talked about you all SO much. Won
Know. felt as II I could not whit
70 meet you"
Gwen smiled up at him teasiuely.
Are the pongee pajamas yours? Be
cause II they are ] can tell you right
now wen do them up beautifully.
Come on and sit down and tell me
III about my forsetful father. Do Won
think II Will shock him TO find me In
business?" -
3 1T won't shock him, Miss HiIb.r. 50
Dick hesitated q minute and plunged.
After al, she would have 10 know
sooner or later. It may startIe Mrs.
Hilbert, but she's all right You'll
IKE her"
-Mrs. Hnbert,- repeated Owen
elouiy. You mean dad is msrrieil
to somebody That he Is brinrins
my one her-a new wffe!"
Mother likes her Immensely. Shes
m American and very chnrmiur.
ehe's due today or TOMORROW. Co
ms to stsy with mother mt uutn
ne major can 5oin her."
gut she mustn't do that Gwen
trted to get Q grip on her senses. .she
must come hsrs, Of course. Dad would
wish inst. It's the right thing TO 40 .
ana thcu she looked at the sim amin
end Il Knocked her. AIuspection IN.
Ntet.s And here shs was Seized with
= lgnEing % snatch Il down and hide
itfrpm the scoruing gaze OF the finer.