The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-12-11
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
No Parking Here
n1R. Ra1 Baker.

did It would be q big score In Inc
game Of love he had been playing
d for the last six months.
y The trouble with the game OF
love was that 1t never appeared to
develop beyond the solitaire stage.
Dale seemed to be playing it alone.
although he was more than an1-
lotis to entIce Martha into the play
as an opponent or partner. The
two are synonymous when used in
connection with the game in ques-
ton.
But Martha was a business wo-
man OF the first magnitude, II you
care to classify her In sidereal
terms. She was in the fire tnsur-
ance business on her own account
during working hours, and at 9TH
or times she was campaigning for
q sister politician in the approach
ing election. Get a girl mixed
up in business and politics and
when does a mere man get look
in.
During the last half year Mar
tina Dale had lived next door. Be
fore she entered politics Dale had
considerable time with her, but
never had been able to summon
sufficient courage to breach ma
trtmonial matters. About the time
he had succeeded in mastering the
required courage Martha got in
&erested in politics, and now her
would-be wooer had no opDortun-
tiles.
en-n.a1 kJr,a1 ba bod uTnrooSe,d
in getting her into his roadster for
q ride as far as her office, but
that was too short spin for pro-
posing purposes. If he tried to
drive slowly the traffic cops were
sure to urge him to greater speed
In order to keep the lanes clear.
But today Dale felt reasonably
sure Of success, because 1t was Su-
san B. Anthony's birthday ami
verBary and he knew Martha, ar
dent suffragist that she was, had
proclaimed 1t a holiday as far as
the insurance business was con-
cerned. So Dale was careful to
have his machine waiting, and to
be tinkering In the hood, when
Martha tripod down the steps
OF u6G uOu6s Out A6 was UOOAS0
to disappointment again.
"Thank you, Dale, but can't.
This is a holiday as far as bust
ness is concerned, but not in re-
gard to politics. I've some lists
to go over at the office, in the in
terests Of Mrs. Slocum's candidacy
md. what more fitting than the
transaction Of such matters on the
anniversary Of the woman who
took the step that won US the vote.
But, I'll beglad to ride to my of
flee with you, IL you care to take
me-"
It was an ultimatum, and he
could do nothing but yield to its
terms. .s-,, r.;
"I'll propose in jiffy. even If it
Is only a three-minute ride" he
told himself desperately.
But the chance didn't offer, be-
cause traffic was heavy, and he
was Obliged to attend strictly to
the business Of driving.
Other business offices paid no
heed to Susan B. Anthony's BIRTH
day and cars lined the streets at
every available parking place, and
moving vehicles progressed in
steady streams along the streets.
There was an open space in front
OF the building where Martha's
office was located, and Dale was
about to drive into 1t when his
eye caught the police sign:
s'No Parking Here"
Dale swung back into the
stream of cars and continued down
the street.
''I'u have to park somewhere
else nearby" he told Martha, and
turned the next corner. There
we're two vacant spaces in the
block, one on each side OF the
street, but those formidable signs
doomed up and warned drivers
away.
"can't find a place." Dale re-
marked.
$50 I see," said Martha. "why
not drive around the block? May
be some parked car will leave in
the meantime"
But the situation was no more
favorable as Dale and Martha
again approached the lotter's Of
''IIl stop here and take
chance" he said, heading for the
mo parking" space.
Better not" she warned.
"TheIe's a policeman there watch"
ing. Drive round the block again."
ny this time Dale had coma to
the conclusion that the fates were
with him. He decided 1t was his
chance to pop the question which
he had held back SO long.
Martha" Sc said, keeping his
eye on his course through the
crowded street. eve been want
Ing for a long time to say
something to you. You must have
Bensed how I felt"
Look out" she warned. "see
that big machine"
"NEissed, but pretty Close" he
observed, then resumed.
you must have sensed how
telt because couldn't hide it. How
| have 1onged for an oportunity
10 have you"
you'll run over that old mani"
the cried. mo, he's lodged back. "
"How I have longed for an OPP
portuulty to have you alone just
once" he resumed, turning the
corner. mo place here to park;