The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-11-12
Tom Fishers Bargain
BY CLARISSA MACKIE
Copyright, 1920. " tne Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)

okESHL " AlN A4Ao AAhNAS
where his wonderful invention was
taking form. "a man must eat
and sleep and wear clothes--and
4have socks!" At this moment he
saw the sign in Browns window.
"Silk SockB-specially priced. SO
cents pair"-''Lisle Socks--bar-
gain, 20 cents pair"
1.-THE invention will be set back
byt29 cents" he decided, entering
the shop.
over by very/demure damseI in
dark blue dress. There was q
little white iriIl about her throat
that made her look very young and
she had delightful shining hair
that wanted to curl and almost
didn't.
Socks? silk or Isle fifty
nine?" she asked in a bird IKE
voice
why do bargains always run in
nines?" he asked irreverntly.
She flushed. Il am sure cont
know, but they dO-and seven ana
thrces and ones"
Mine is magic number he
said. "1'll take pair OF mines.
. "FITY-NINE or twenty-nine?
NJ inquired again.
(which are the chcapest?" Tom
tho inventor the man OF science,
was Ioosing hispvits, just because
arSirI had such tender blue eyes
ed hair that almost did not curl
"Twenty-nne" she said patient
v, without smiling. These are
tisle thread"
"I'll take two-two pairs he
said idiotically.
"Color?"
"Oh--anythlng-, just rs long
long as its black" and the
wretched youth flung himself out
of the store without waiting for his
change. lie told himCclr after
wards That he needed thai fo-ty-
two cents change-he might have
bought another pair!
That night he tried on the socks
and found that they were too
small. He was big young man
and generously proportioned, The
socks mist 80 back again. He
wondered Ii the girl would bc
.tI1aye hoped she would and hope'i
bbwoIldnt, and she was.
She looked quite bianliy at
Pom, Just as II her heart hadn I
ptluickened at sight of him he did
not reconizc her but she had gone
ts public school with him three
years ago: she secretly admired
him.
"I'm sorry, but he socks are
too small, " said Tom, as he stop
ped before her.
You said Mines she remarked
as abe pulled oUt Il rcd box.
81 meant tens" he explained.
you also forgot your change, =
lshe said, taking some money out OF
stunning little box. "Forty-two
cents"
"Thanlss," said Tom. dropping
Ii into his pocket.
she took down another box,
picked out two pairs OF black
,ysoclCs and wrapped them up.
y s".Thank yoa," s&id Tom da21ily
cth walked out of tho store. At
his laboratory he opened his hun
die and lound--two pair OF black
silk socks. He smiled rapturouS-
IL. 'I'll have to take those back, "
he muttered with miserable at
tempt at vexation.
1t was lunch time then. and he
stopped at nearby cafeteria for a
bite. Toms appetite was robust,
and he picked up various plates
or delectable viands on his way
10 a vacant table. AS he set
down his tray he saw that a gill
had set down. The girl with a
tray containing crackers, 4 bowl OF
milk and small cake Bless
3agier dear heart; she's starving her
NSself." he worried rs he hastily
VI tvnllowed his meal. After a day
two he went back to the store.
Tho girl was there. She was
wearing little blue ruffle around
her throat. and one stran Of her
bright hair had really managed to
curl. lSho b!ushed a little when
she saw him.
"I'm sorry" he declared mend
aciously. "But these socks are
sikh bought Isle, you know"
II made that mistake she ad-
mitted, as she substituted another
pair for the silk ones. 1T is too
bad you had to come again"
y II did not mind-not at all, "
\ no said emphatically, and this
timo she smiled at him, and when
she smiled and turned around to
nut the red box back on the shelf
he was reminded Of schoolboy days
and a little curley haired girl fac
ing the blackboard. reaching up to
write something. The chalk had
dropped from her fingers, and he
recalled the frightened look on her
face as it dropped. But his delft
hand caught It In midair, and her
bird-like voice had whispered a
thank you.
d NOW leaned across the counter
with glowing face, Say" he said:
"you're Mamie Lane, aren't you?'
4 She gave him a startled look,
but she nodded. Nancy Lane,
now" she said.
Remember me?"
"Remember the chalk"
She dlmpled little and nodded
..Live in the same house?"
Yes"
"I'm coming to see you! l know
your brother Sam"
alright" she said in a culver
TnR yNTCo and he sh0t out the