The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-01-15
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Daniel Wade as Cupid.
BY LATlMER ). WILSON.

6HudiO '''@%-
unharmonious music of type
writes. When their "click-clickins
ceased to pour from the hundreds OF
windows at noon and at o o'clock, the
numerous elevators filled to overflow
ing and crowds of girls and men
swarfned out OF the massive doors OF
the skyscraper. Streams OF human
lily they flowed down from the lofty
heights ITO swell the already flooded
current OF downtown Broadway.
IL was barely one hour before the
opening OF the noontide flood-gate.
The ante-room office boy. that in
diyidual in uniform and buttons who
demands your name and your bust
ness. had grown restless. During a
lufl in business he poked his head In
to the room OF No. %, where MISS
Maybe!Ie Kinney performed the duties
OF photographer. In years she was
less than twenty-five, while the office
boy. iieraiGod merely as Dan, though
his name was Daniel Howard WAGE,
tipped the scale of years at fifteen.
"z-z-z-s-t!" he significantly souid-
ed ina kind of tongue whistle. Has
, Mapes asked you to lunch with him
today?"
AGet out of here and mind your
own business!" commanded the girl
threateningly.
Fiji bet you're going to lunch with
him. Gee! Won't you look fine when
you're Mrs. Mapes! You'll get along
without looking glass every time
Mapes takes off his lid. Why, May!
You can curl your hair and paint your
lips in the reflection from his shiny
top whenever his hats Off! Ouch!" he
.ad In n Etyhiannr whan the
handle of her paper knife rapid his
knuckles. Steps were heard ap-
preaching the door from the adjofn-
ing office, and the boy quickly ducked
back into his own room.
The door, opened and tall, slender
young man, somewhat older than
Maybelle, came in with handful OF
letters. He was not at all bad looking,
but the top of his head, the very top
was shockingly bare.
Here, Miss Maybelle, you can look
after some of these" Mr.. Mapes was
about to say more when he suddenly
discovered that he had left something
important in his office. Just then the
door closed behind him, Maybelle was
summoned to another office by the
little call button indicator at her
desk, AS she started out of the door
Daniel poked his head into the room.
"Ta-ta! You're going to lunch with
Mapes, I'll bet!" he whispered loudly.
The girl Redeemed and scowled at him.
When she came back into her room,
about half an hour later, she brought
more letters, and found upon her desk
the one Mapes had gone back to
bring There was also little note
from him asking her to lunch today.
He said he would come by for. her at
noon.
Maybelle could think of no plaus-
ible excuse for not going to lunch
with her fellow employe of the office
staff. She had not thought enough of
him personally even to dislike him till
young Wade, began to tease her. Then
she could see nothing. but Mr.. Mape's
depleted summit every time she sat
opposite him at the crowded table of
the restaurant. His fiery gaze Of at
fection was futile in its attempt to
melt the Icy unconcern of her man.
ner.
He was hopelessly in love, though
she had not imagined it until Wade
pointed the direction OF the wind.
Now Mape's attention irritated her
and she wanted some polite excuse
for refusing him. She walked over
and loked out at the maze of win
dows in the wall opposite.
AIN her dust-dry garden of business
f6ntine the girl longed for breath OF
youth and companionship, but Mapes
fell short OF the mark. She decided
that whatever happened she wouldn't
60 another time with him to picture
theatre or a restaurant.
Absently her gaze fell upon win
dow directly opposite her own, but on
the floor below. A young man stood
in plain view, looking straight at her
and smiling. In his eyes at that mo-
ment she thought she read the ro-
nance of moonlight, springttme,
youth and adventure. There was no
mistake. He was looking all OF those
things right at her.
His hair was reached back in the
most genteel style. His brows were
arcbed exquisitely above his dark
eyes. which now sparkled with merri-
{ment. He was surely smiling at her,
Aand she looked away abashed at first;
then back at him with an answering
but inquisitive expression. She saw
him reach across his desk for
sheet of letter paper, upon which he
printed in large, clear letters with
pencil:
east DOOR AT NOON"
She had never seen him before, but
Z from that moment he was new and
intense interest in the routine OF
Electric Square. Maybelle decided
that she might as we'll trust her noon
hour win him as with Mapes, and he
Was SO much better looking than the
latter. So she nodded YES" and ad-
justed her pearl bead necklace while
she smiled and blushed.
Just then the door opened and Mr..
apes came in.
Miss Maybelle-you read my note,
suppose. Well, here I've come for
sou. VIII you let me have the pleas
4 ure?" He seemed to take 1t for granted
y that che would go with him.
Thank you very much, Mr.. Mapes
have other plans for my noon hour to
day, and canrot accept your invita-
hon," was her businrsslike refusal.
He was plainly surprised, and with
the instinct OF jealous natures at
snce suspected the cause.
I'm sorry, Miss. Maybelle," was all
he said.
Following her a few minutes later
be cav her hurrying toward the cast