Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-12-05
BY
Hap-Hazard
Iht. 1919. by the Western News
paper Union.)
By CECILLE LANGDON

Fcrndell. brisk, bright-cycd. magnetic,
seemed to diifuse sunshine In every d.
rection. To the most unobScrvant OF
mortnls Alvin Ritter would have su.-
Ecstcd Il being In love with tire world
and everybody in ii. 1t was three
months since he had been in the
quaint little village. A travelling sales
man. about year, previously he had
made Ferndell' his headquarters for
the district and for week had
roomcd and boarded with Mrs. Alma
Warner. who had three little children
AMI with whom there lived young
girl just budding into perfect woman
hood-Myra Worth. Twice since then
Alvin had visited Ferndcll. The last
time he had left deeply in love with
Myra, and she knew ii. and with Il de-
termination to place himself in Il posi-
ton where he felt sure OF an income
sufficient to support wife.
And now he had returned. success
full and buoyant. He sang and wills
tied rs he made his way in the dircc-
ton OF the humble little home that had
been lode star in view for so many
weeks. Then as he reached the rustic
gate chill pcrmeatcd his veins.
Vacant" he hrcathed with Il quick
tremor In his voice. what does 1t
mcan?' and after trying the front door
and pecring In Mt the window Alvin
crossed the yard to that of the next
neighbor. The woman there nodded
to him In quite a friendly way. evil
IDENTIFY remembering him.
"The Warncrs-ATiss Worth?" spoke
Alvin in an anxious tone.
Mrs. Warner died two months ago
and the young lady moved away. Poor.
dear thing! She saw no hone of get
ting n living here. with the three little
tots on her hands"
'But-you don't know where they
have gomez" interrogated Alvin.
Il don't sir, but the man who runs
the garage here can tell you. 1t seems
that Miss Worth looking for work.
went Ia him. He Inns several gasoline
stations along the Western highway.
and She is so spry and willing to Wort;
that he made IN arrangement to EN-
ploy her"
"Thcy-she left no word?" pressed
Alvin.
NO. sir. but 1 guess she would have
wished to have seen you. in her deep
trouble. l only think. that because
from what ] saw when YOU used to
come here: it seemed to brighten her
up great deal. She is n good girl.
sir. An orphan. and no relation to
Mrs. Warner: that lady took her in
and they become like sisters born. She
stayed two weeks after Mrs. Warner
died. 1t appears that on her death
bed Mrs. Warner told her that she had
II sister. teacher in a school at Gin
cinnati. who would surely provide for
the children IL appealed to. Miss
Worth wrote to the school. but she
got letter back telling how Htlda
Warner had married rich gentleman
named Despres two years before. but
where they lived was not known"
Alvin went at once to the town ga
rage and Its proprietor told him Of the
ing for him.
There's little house there" he ex-
planned to Alvin, 'and what Miss
Worth does is to supply passing auto
mobiles with gas, oil and air. / saw
her last week and she and the little
ones are getting along nicely. A fine
young lady, that! She seems to think
1T her duty to care for the children
after the Kindness of their mother, and
is happy to have found position
where she can keep them with her"
1t was late in the afternoon of the
next day that Alvin left train some
forty miles from Ferndell and started
down the broad highway on a three
mile tramp for the station to which
the garage man had directed him.
Many automobiles dashed by him, and
Alvin had covered about half the dis
lance in view when he discerned a
dark object lying ut the side of the
road. 1t proved to be a fur collar.
accidentally fallen from some speeding
car, he decided. He examined It close
ly. A little pocket on the inside OF
the collar held card that rend: "Mrs.
Hiida Dcsprcs, Arlington, Ohio"
why. this is queer coincidence"
he soliloquized. "Hilda is the name Of
Mrs. Warmers sister, and Despres
that of the nan she married. Perhaps
they will miss the wrap and come
back this way TO look for It," and
starting on again Alvin carried the
collar conspicuously on one arm.
He proved TO be cogent reasoner,
for shortly thereafter a machine fac
ing him halted. its driver stepped out,
explained that the collar belonged to
his wife in the rear seat Of the auto
and Alvin carried 1t to her.
Myra W0rth's eyes bore glad. wei.
coming light rs the Despres auto.
mobile drove up to the little station
with Alvin passenger. Mrs. Despres
insisted on being taken to her sisters
chiIlrpu nj once n flor Alvin'c otnry