The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-10-20

The Book Of Deborah.
tCo8yrig 1a1e.l

"our Jim is the only man 1
ever saw who can apply the stand
ards of chiyalry to modern con-
ditions." remarked Chrys one day.
We had been speaking OF poor
Debbie-she was getting terribly
thin and white and listless. / al
most wished that Jim were less
Observation-Disclosures II seemed
to me that Deb would die, unless
she could see Jim, sometimes. l
thought that a little human weak
ness, say a smile from Jim across
a room would have helped poor
Deb good deal.
But Jim with his rigid ideas OF
right and wrong never would have
granted her that knowingly.
When / considered his wish to
have Van come to see him. per-
ceived that poor dear Jimmy had
not been meditating exclusively up
on the dream of his delerium. he
was applying his best standards
to the little problem OF Ann. From
Katherine, Jim had hint of the
gossip. BY getting Van to call
upon him, the gossips would be
confused. So Jim argued, felt
sure.
II said to myself that I would
take great pains to keep mistress
Ann out of the room when Van
called. So 1 arranged to inspect
the slave costume, also hat which
had been delivered.
In spite of ChryB' scolding. Ann
had assembled only a generous al
Iowance of bracelets and anklets
and chains and some golden gauze
draperies for her slave dress.
Nothing but harem trousers!"
1 protested. For goodness sake,
add a little pardage to this out
fit!"
Pm going down and ask Jim"
she rebelled.
met about wearing the things!
DON'T" I commanded. Van is
with him!"
A fatal error! I ought to have
known better.
"IlI ask Van, tool" exclaimed
the littel witch, and on she danced.
I followed her, determined to
save Jim from humiliation, even
II / had to use force with the child.
but who can beat a fool?" said
myself to myself savagely. as Ann
skipped before me down the stairs,
just out of my reach.
Jfn's chair had been wheeled
into the sun parlor. outside the
glass walls one could glimpse blue
sky, late autumn blossoms and fall
ing leaves. Coming from the arti-
fetal light OF her own room into
the white glare of the day. AIMS
scant attire seemed TO shrink
alarmingly.
Van rose by the ingle-nook as
we entered. barely nodded to
him. wanted to catch that wick
ed little sprite and whisk her away
10 dungeon. If 1 got her upstairs
I'd lock her in closet, treat her
like a naughty schoolgirl-punish
her for bringing that awful look
into dear Jim's eyes.
"Ann!" he said sternly. For
the love of Mike, go away-take
off that thing! Put on some
clothes!"
He might as well have addressed
the winds of heaven.
"Vivacity ought to be that girls
middle name" scolded to myself.
COR Hypocrisy"
Ann was executing her most as
founding dance steps, apparently
10 tease her husband. She appear
ed perfectly oblivious to Van. who
was still standing by the fireplace.
Ann fooled her husband-she
fooled Van-but any woman would
have seen that she knew all about
Van in his corner, and that she
was showing off to Jim simply to
make Van envious!
l wanted to slap her, wanted
TO push Van from the room,
wanted to save por helpless jim
from the rest OF her program,
whatever it might be. Suddenly
she ended the scene herself-and
in the most disastrous Of all posi-
BILE ways.