The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-12-02

Gray began, 1ToWnAuS AuSSAAJ
The audaoity OF that girl! What
business Of hers Is It, I'd like to
know, how, we raise money--when
it's as plain as a pikestah that We
.0ed II so badly?"
"We certainly do need It," Sis.
Ter Nora retorted. Look at that!
sticking. out her foot in ragged
white silk stocking. Five dollars
pair for anything decent TO go
with pumps. I'D like! TO hang these
wicked pTodteers."
"shut up fool" Mrs. Gray flung
back, coarSely. "The more money
they make the easier it Is to get
our share of 1t. But don't you dare
Ego shopping extravngantly I'LL TINS
Haywood girl blows over. | won
der who, IL anybody, is behind
her!"
"Maybe she's hutting in so as to
be bought out" Nora suggested.
Mrs. Gray nodded. i've thought
of that; wish l dared try her and
tind out. We must do something
right away, or sho will queer our
game"
Suppose we investigate her-ask
Peterkin about her? We can make
out he's her sponsor; you know he
brought her up from the station in
his car"
'He wouldn't have done it but for
the big rain" Mrs. Gray complain
ed. THAT gave her chance at
him, IL she had the sense to see 1t.
Phone him to call here on his way
to headquarters. Anything is bet
ter than this feeling Of sitting on q
bomb"
PETERKIN, otherwise Peter
LInley, ESQ.,. for all his guileless
countenance, was lawyer enough to
f5know a Characterization when he
Sfnet it square in his path. how
ever skillfuIly it was disguised.
The recognition made him suddenly
alert.
He had not thought much about
Rena Haywood. except that she
was soft spoken and decidedly
easy to look at. She had asked him
a single question-what place was
best and pleasantest for a hous-
ing OF young womaa casual
thus she had found shelter with
Mother Bigby, once Peters nurse,
and still holding him at once her
conscience keeper and court OF
last resort.
Rena sensed at much from the
look In her eyes, the tone of her
yoice~-and rejoiced silently that
things were falling out so well.
She was beginning difficult enter
prise-suocess in it meant more
than mere money profit-thrOugh
she did not effect to dispise that
side. Her managing editor had
said: go after the pair of gosh
\ awks In petticoats that are plum.
:; dering small town folks in the
name OF sweet charity; il you get
the goods on them. or even a
promising lead wire JOHN Smith.
care this office. Pork is raising
land leave us to do the rest"
Since Peter had given her spec
cially in charge. Mrs. BIgby had
to REM as familiar friend.
Thus she had come TO know all
about the drive for dovasted Mes
optamia that Mrs Grey and sister
Nora we're conducting at a breath
less rate. They had all the equip
ments-statistics, lantern slides
showing ruined villages and starv-
& ing peasants, not to name horrors
they slurred over with bare hints.
BOTH talked we'll Nora could
CRY beautifully when she begged for
the poor hungry babies. The pair
were effuslvely grateful for any
, offering, money, pledges thereof,
trtnkets, clothes. household stores.
1--WE can use anything ,remem-
ber," Mrs Gray's appeal usual en-
ded. In result she got anything.
everything and nothing. No need
Of particulars. All Of us know
about such ingatherings.
Swift and canny workers. the sis
.ters banked all the money, and al
most instantly drew drafts on 1t,
payable to the home office in
, distant city. Cash, they explained
was needed for shipment away OF
supplies,
Certainly things contributed
were sent away quickly, always
prepaid, and variously consigned.
Peter had given them a decent
check. He never had turned deaf
ear to any appeal. But after that
his contributions was limited to
the use OF mis- car now and then.
He could not be prevailed on to
speak in behalf of the drive. nor
10 stand sponsor for Its conductors
among his rich friends.
Naturally the ladies were inly
furious with him, but cream was
no smile for the outer seeming to-
ward him. They bore his chatting
beautifully were not too grateful
for his aid and countenance; in
short, were 80 lady-like they almost
pverdid IT.
He was. in fact, their real obIec-
tive. The drive industry was on
lts last legs. Even with new wars
and devastatiOns. q stated public
was not likely to give up. Where
lore 1t behooved Sister Nora either
10 get a rich husband or to find a
man who would pay roundly to es-
rape being that person.
Straight matromony was of
Sourse preferable-ros vision of It
had danced before them until
Rena Haywood appeared. She had
come to them volunteer willing
Worlker-but with such notions =
wanting authorizations, the giving
NJ 1FnRPn 4.