The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1920-04-30
FAIR AND FORTY
BY LILLIAN M. RICHARDS
60 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate. ;,

of the time, Myra Virgins sits at the
cashiers desk in one Of those famous
restaurants with buckwheat front.
For three years now she has sat in
the same window. Her eyes and ears
are always open and nothing escapes
her notice.
Say, mister" loudly called Myra
one day to customer trying to sneak
our. pay your check here, please"
Huh" growled the man. coming
back, think you're smart, don't youT
And siamming the money down on the
counter, Il suppose you thought I was
trying to steal q feed"
My goodness, no." replied Myra.
smilingly. Guess you were suddenly
called to fire; but after this, when
In here, be sure and see me before YOU
leave"
Wen, is that So" sneeringly. 81
suppose you're the one who runs this
place. or maybe you"
Just then her antagonizer felt a
strong hand grab his collar and de-
mand an apology. Without hesitatine
the 1rritant murmured something about
Delng sorry, and skunk out of the door.
Myra's well-rounded face became as
red as roses when she looked I'M info
the set features of big Jim Roland.
Jim was travelling man, and every
time ne came to town 1t was not the
eats alone that brought him to this
weil-known restaurant. Myra Virgins
welcome smile and pleasant "How do"
won him from the start. Now their
friendship grew rapidly into something
more deep and lasting.
They were both around the age Of
forty and had come to that quiet I'M.
Outstanding Of accepting things a.
they were; neither inquired into the
others affairs.
A buxom widow was Myra, with one
child. whom she boarded at a small
farmhouse in the country. Little Irens
Virgins was the Joy of her life, and
Myra delighted in her trips to the re.
gion where she could breathe Gods
pure air. away from the smoke and
dust of the city. One day, as she and
irene were starting for a stroll over
the hills, a rosy-cheeked lad Of ten
begged to go with them.
He lives here. too, mamma" plead
ed her little girl. Hes nv bestesi
chum. Can't ne go?'
"Well, all right" replied Myra, good
naturally. and taking his hand she in.
quired: What's your name, little boyrr
MY names Jack Roland" was his
sturdy reply, as he stumbled along by
her side.
Roland" gasped she hearing the
name. Then, curiously, "And what's
your fathers name? Jack, too?"
mo, my daddy's name is JIM" and
with upturned face, you've never met
my daddy, have you? He's the biggest
man in the world"
Myra's thoughts were racing a mile
a minute, and her cheeks burned with
curiosity. HE must mean my JIM" she
thought, and still it didn't seem nos
sible. The children ran ahead and
were sliding on the ice, little dreaming
of the turmoil they'd created for Myra,
After few minutes silent ponderina
she called them to her side and turned
back toward the house. AS they were
chatting in their childish way she
heard little Jack say to Irene:
My Nanna's coming this afternoon
with daddy. She brings me candy and
everything"
Unable to restrain the question any
longer Myra asked. "And who's youY
Mamma, little boy?" at the same time
dreading the answer.
"Why, that's his mother of course
quickly replied Irene, as If Myra ough,
to know.
"she works in the city," Joined JACK
wistfully.
1t was with quiet dignity that she
refused Jim's many invitations the
next week, and his big joyial face
wore a puzzled expression, although
he said nothing. Myra, who was usu
ally the picture Of health, looked
drawn and pale. She'd grown fond OF
jim Roland, and. to discover him In
this light hurt not little.
Tucking Irene on her sled, Myrs
started down the back lane through
the meadows. The cold, clear all
brought the color to her cheeks. az
Irene pulled the end of her scarf and
shouted, "Gitty-up-horsey." 1t was a
wonderful day and ended all too quick.
ly. On their way back. as Myra went
to Jump brook she fell with a scream
in the snow. Irene tried to help her
up. but finding her arms limp became
frightened and cried for help. Little
Jack Roland and his daddy, who were
walking near by, came to their assist
ance Z
'Is this little girl your sister,? he
asked smilingly after the pain had sub
sided.
"No, Jim, she's my daughter" ex.
planned Myra quietly. 1--WE been 9
widow for several years now. And T.