The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-01-06

kind. They decided he was TOO "qulet
10 be any fun, and Cynthia merrill,
who knew through a friend OF her
sousfn,s aunt that he came from Bur
.onyille, put It down to the fact that
ne was from the country.
When they queezed him he told them
That there were as many as 300
people in his home town-when they
were all at home, that is. He, for in
stance. now made the census one
less. All OF which the girls took with
grain of salt. However, he was
crave, he was taciturn and he was
no dresser"
Cynthia Merrill was his feminine
opposite. Chicness and daintiness
summed up her clothes, summer and
winter. Leonard feasted his eyes on
her daily through the grill OF his in
closure as she sat at her typewriter
In the adjacent room. He was by no
means sure she would be at all de-
sirable. These independent business
GIRLS" he said to himself as he sat
late one night, chasing an elusive
Z dime which kept his books from bal
ancing, ARE all right for man whose
income is steadily increasing. They
AXE 1t as a matter OF course that the
whole of a mans salary is theirs to
spend upon their backs, but for me,
who will never amass fortune
nothing doing"
AS for Cynthia, she would have
been amazed at any one so insignifi-
can't as John Leonard daring to think
of her in terms Of n future partner.
much less refusing her! Cynthia had
plans in her pretty heaa-several OF
them. For one thing, some day she
wanted to travel. She didn't care
now, she laughingly told the girls,
not IL l have to ride the bumpers!"
As summer days approached the
buzz Of conversation busted itself
with the annual outing down the
bank and the members Of the office
force mingled on terms of easy socia-
oility.
There would be baseball game, the
men against the girls, a three-legged
race and other sports. The clambake
ut noon would be supplemented by a
picnic lunch at supper, for which the
girls provided the "eats."
On the appointed day seven auto
mobiles carried the merry crowd to
It's destination. Cynthia, trinity shod
and alluring In sport skirt of soft
silk, her dainty blouse open at the
neck. (for a good "burn,,) wearing
what appeared to Leonard's masculine
eyes as an imported Paris outing hat.
Z was easily the most popular OF the
girls. Leonard, sitting on the beach,
his knees hunched under his chin.
watched her exchanging airy persi-
aage with young Greayes, the presl-
dents son. =
After the huge clambake there were
maps on the sand and strolls over the
rocks. Then came swim in the
water, and 1t was time to draw part
ners for supper. The custom OF the
outings had always been to draw lots,
The men partaking of the company
and basket lunch of the girls they
Won.
And Cynthia fell to Leonard! I'm
seen by him she made a little face
Tor the benefit of the other girls. Yet
she really wasn't quite as sorry as
she pretended. In some ways this sill
ant man interested her.
Sitting apart, their backs against "a
great bowlder on the sand, Cynthia
opened her basket. Wrapped in folds
Of spotless napkins was lunch such
as to gladden. the heart OF any man,
delicious sandwiches, little jar Of
pickles, sections of flaky pie and a
rich. melt-in-your. mouth chocolate
FAKE.
Not much conversation at first
passed between them. Cynthia was
busy observing slyly that Leonard's
eyes were really fine, widely set and
sincere. If only he were more-well,
\ sophisticated!
This is wonderful cake, Miss Mer-
rtHi" he complimented, wondering
IS he did SO where such stuff could
be bought nowadays or IL she had a
mother who cooked it for her.
{ I'm glad you like It,, murmured
Cynthia. "Here-have another
piece!"
II / could have had a piece of this
cake when was held up without foou
once in Alaskan"
Why, yes" said Leonard, and ad-
ded careiessly. Il stopped there on
my way back from Hawaii"
Cynthia looked at him in amaze
ment. This country fellow from Bur
tonvile! II guess you have travelled.
she said.
We'll, guess have some" he
returned modestly. II had an uncle
who was captain OF a New Bedford
Whaler. He took me with him a num-
hE OF times and I sort OF got the
lever"
You've never been around the
Horn?" asked Cynthia hopefully.
All Of three times" he laughed.
Around the Horn three times,
Nothing could impress the girl more }
That was enough. Unconsciously she
sighed.
You don't mean to say a girl like
you is interested in that sort of
thingip he said in surprise.
well, rather" she said emphatical-
". Then, shifting the subject from
herself to him: But tell me, what are
you doing cooped up in little cage
at the bank2"
Well, got word that my only re-
lRtiye, an aunt, had died in Burton
'illei where was born and there was
some little difficulty in settling up
the estate. l was the only heir. and
when it is finally fixed up, l shall
have -well, enough to let me wander
about the world bit more before |
die. Until then-well, had to do
something or starve. Therefore. my
x cage, as YOU call it. and nc smiled.
Cynthia looked very soft and young
sitting with her feet folded up under