The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-03-18
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
SPRING HE'S.

and gently lifted the siivery curls up
on the forehead of Miss Honor, as she
stood regarding herself quite seriously
In the mirror
u expect I'm very foolish" she muir.
INJURED 10 herself, .out don't suppose
us anybody's business II am. rye
saved up the money by Titles, and TO
mink that the very one dreamed OF
ls right In the miltner's window, just
hs imagtn med 1t ought to look. All vic.
lets, and with purple velvet strings.
There was q pleased smile on her
as she opened the side door and
out into the western sly. A
entering the side gate, and
ior's smile vanished when
IS Honor's kindly welcome and
IN, the slender figure in its
uef blue print sank down into the
cushioned depths Of the porch rocker.
Miss Honor sat down in the splint bot.
toned chair. She spoke OF the fine
weather and inquired after Nelly's
pc;s.fs5 who had been I'll tor s0r2c
time
Qhiite suddenly the floodgates were
opened and Nelly flung herself down
upon the steps with her head in the
lap Of the older woman. d
Forgive me, Miss Honor" she said,
Il guess I'm tired. School has been
hard these hot days. love the child.
rem but they are 50 uneasy, and I've
had to be up a good deal nights with
mother"
school is almost out" yentured
Miss Honor.
The girls slender figure Strengthened
with sudden jerk. ~ wish it wasn't"
she cried. I've got to earn. Father
Is behind with his payments, and it
VII take every cent I've saved TO send
mother to the hospital. What horri-
Bile thing II is to be poor"
Yes" answered Miss Honor, after
little pause. You are good" she
said, land you don't mind about not
having the things you want. ] am
wicked Just wicked, and i can't seem
to help II. I'd give my life for mother,
and am SO thankful ] have the mon
ey; but was Just downtown and there
in Clara Bayne's shop I saw three hats.
One was yiolets, and one was burnt
straw with crimson peoples, and one
was white with wreath of pink roses
and black velvet ribbon strings. The
violet one was q bonnet"
Yes" breathed Miss Honor.
Il want that rose hat. want 1t
more than I ever wanted anything to
w1Rr. ! didn't have a 5Aew hat last
year. Father has needed money, so
made the old one do. You are so
good that you don't think about such
things as new hats. don't suppose
you could understand"
Miss Honor's gaze was fixed upon
the shadows OF the distant hills.
Il don't suppose So" she echoed
softly. rs
Nelly laughed with little catch in
her voice. Miss Honor leaner for
ward.
Have you and Roger had falling
The girls face dropped. eyes," she
said at last I'VE had some words last
week. don't know how it started. i
guess was so tired that was touchy.
Anyway, with a brave attempt at
fairness, you can't blame him. Beryi
Wright is better looking than am.
A man thinks of that"
''Nonsense,1 said Miss Honor crisp.
ula Roger Ames isn't fool"
The girl rose.
II wonder, said Miss, Honor slowly,
II you couldn't come back in about an
hour and a half and get some jelly I'll
have ready for your mother" She laid
gentle hand on the girls shoulder.
Don't worry she said, things al.
ways work out, you know
The gate clicked. eyes," unused
Miss Honor, sthey always do some
how, but there are times when we ex.
pected to: help work them out, our.
selves.s
SheNwent into the house, put ON her
gray bonnet, took her purse and went
out again, locking her door and hang.
ing the key In perfectly plain view in.
5de the vines. At the gates she en-.
countered Roger coming back, ne
hesitated, cap IN hand.
Has Nelly gone home?" he said.
II want to see her."
Miss Honor swept him with swift.
keen glance. Yes, Roger. she has
gone home, Nelly has a great deal to
do. Her mother is worse and Is 20.
Ing to the hospital and poor Nelly has
not only been teaching days. but been
up a great deal with her mother nights.
There are not many girls like Nelly. .
The young mans face set in lines
- ----H'>>- Vi haP6 LuST6 are RlrlS
who are handsomer."
There aren't" interrupted Roger.
quite unconscious of rudeness.
Which do you lfSe better, Roger. !"
!. asked Miss Honor, "reG peoples or
pink roses?a
q cont inow," said Roger, puzzled,
his mind far from proper considera.
ton of floral beauties. They reached
the corner.
"Goodby, Roger" said Miss Honor,
II must hurry back and do up the
Jelly that Nelly 10 coming over 70.
later The young man won't down
the side street. :
But that lady had forgotten him.
Her eyes were fixed upon the mot dis.
tant windows Of Clara Rayne.s Mill.
ner's shop. She knew that the violet
bonnet was there. looking more tempt.
In than ever. Beside It was the rose
crowned hat, but the one with the
peoples was gone. She refused to
dwell upon the beauties OF yiolets, and
entered the shop with lifted chin ind
determined air. In a few moments she
came out with a hat bag. This dime
she walked by the window withou.
looking at the violet hounat