The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-11-16
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Attaching A Can
Copyright 1920 By the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate)

" IN friend precipItated herself
sin n chair and said gayly: Ruth,
you dark-eyed witch, you have the
AzSale hearts at this inn in captivity;
IL | know the one among them
ou are going TO marry"
wonder OF wonders, Lucy, do
not and besides-"Ruth began.
And BESIDES" Lucy proceeded,
you don't like TO talk about such
things-Ill say that for you. But.
listen, | happened TO be IN canoe
last evening near the Point, and
overheard some of the men talk.
ing; and distinctly heard that
handsome Baltimore fellow, Lee
H6Tgrave. make a wager that he
would b. engaged to you before you
left!"
Ruth's advertisement and DISCUS;
were evident on her face, What a
thing to say! Lucy, YOU love me,
don't spread this amy farther"
There he goes nOw!' Lucy eX-
claimed, and Ruth looking up saw
Hargrave. handsome and serene in
white fannels walking across the
lawn.
She recognized him immediately,
for he hau caught her attention me
day she and her mother arrived al
their favorite summer place. She
had made up her mind that thero
was no more conceited man on
earth.
"He's coming here" I.ucy wins
pered. I'M get out"
Come he did. in his serene. as
sured fashion. Ruth watched him
with hidden interest. So here was
the man she was to marry--On his
way to begin the winning OF his
No seated himself al her invita-
Non and promptly sought to engage
her for yachting trip that some OF
the young people had under con
Eiheratlon. She started to refuse.
en- a sly purpose Crcpt INTO hcr
dind. Why not give him good
lesson
She accepted as graClOusly AS Sne
could In view OF what she knew.
Offensive as the affair WAS 1t held
some amusement for her and be.
sides she might teach him u whole
some lesson. she refused other in
Yltations but never his. He begun
10 wear a slight air OF possession
which pleased her. He began 10
grow bit serious and she let him
She was puzzled. He never talk
ed about himself even when she
tried to lead him on. Only when
u Eray-hatred man pointed him out
10 another as mining engineer
who was remarkably successful did
she gain any information about him.
He was always one of the first to
NSS hold of work incidental TO any
THE good times, and he was GER
z fnly. thoughtful OF others.
"Really," she had advised herself
after one pleasant time. he is
quite likeable." She stopped short
What II should fall in love with
him-after that wager" Good
gracious!"
The next day telegram called
him away and 1t was lonely day
for her. Lucy. coming with a mer-
~ query. was very coldly treated.
But the day gave Ruth time 20.
y thought. She came 10 decision.
81 shall-let's see what's cruel
way to cay title can to him
when he comes back" she said
6rutRlly.
He returned looking a bit wear
and haggard, but with his calm self
esteem as fresh as ever. He sought
her soon after his arrival that eve
ming, and, shooting away others that
mod to Join them, took her away
OHu walk along the shore.
"Ies coming" Ruth warned her
self and tried to smile. She was a
bit frightened, for he had found,
senslbly she acknowledged II. "A
place in her hcart--a small, wee
corner, anyway.
Where the sea swept away from
the high bluff he halted. Ruth,
my work carries me intos rough
country; and | am going TO take
back to that work some OF the best
memories Of my life. wish. too,
i-might take-take one other mem
5 Dry with me-"
She tried to say to herself, "How
easy! My promise, my kiss. and
then-never to meet again." buS
somethinE in his voice chpapened
the words. Her heart jumped as
sue WOuOeTeu II NC uAu LlAue lue
wager in fun, and then really fallen
In love with her.
He went on. II can't say what
would like to say In the way want
to But am despefI.aIy in lo",
with you"
His calm assurance aroused her.
"There Is a good reason why you
say that" Then she told him what
what she knew about the wager.
He listened in silence. his face
turned to the moonswept sea. When
her hot words ended with. These
! shores lave head Just such tales
many times. A real mans love
means too much 10 me-" he was
silent for a little; and then he
spoke SO evenly his voice did not
betray his mood:
81 have only three weeks of in
tho year. / cannot meet you else.
where. I am sorry l impress you
as being egotistical; II is my way,
that's all. At heart, am sure I am
not; for from hoyhood have fought
for confidence in myself. Suppose
1--WE return"
~ He talked In quiet way on the
return; and he left her with afare-
well word that he had to return
that night. Under the soft light OF