The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-04-02

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q verftable young Midas, and EIoise
was sophisticated enough TO believe
that no Cupid waxed fat and healthy
with the years unless his tender flesh
was swathed in sifsS and protected
from cold by wrappfngs OF ermine ana
sable. So far her father had only been
able to allow her dyed muskrat and
skunk. She was ambitious. She had
hopes Of hitching her mortal clay to
a star for riches
IT hate even the thought Of being
old" she said one day when she and
Jerry had been horseback riding to
gether and he had stopped in the old.
fashioned frame house to chat for
wh.lo Tier ~ the quick look he gave
her, fearing that she had made rash
statement she appended, you know
what | mean LII dislike the idea OF
old age Life is SO Jolly when one Is
young. Nov, there's Henrietta. She's
beginning TO be so material in all her
ideas. Instead of sitting here talking
to us and being gay and everything
she's trotted off to make sandwiches
and to fix something cool to drink"
That sounds jolly to me, all right,
laughed Jerry happily
Henrietta is twenty-six, you know.
and ] suppose that Is time to settle
down. When I'm that old" this with
little shrug Of horror, 81 dare say my
own Thoughts will soar no higher than
wherewithsl shall we be clothed and
wherewithal shall we be fed. Surely
i won't be tearing along country
roads and taking fences like l did to
day That is certainly fleet-footed
horse Of yours that ] rode"
He looked at the glowing girl before
him. There was the sheen Of gold In,
her hair and the color and texture OF
a pink rose leaf in her cheeks. Her
eyes looking at him from under
lashes that seemed long enough to
tangle, were as dark as patches of a
midnight sky. He had never seen.
such beauty, such health, such vital
ity.
Pm glad that You enjoyed the ride.
It gives me a lot OF pleasure to make
You happy
Eloise thrilled at that. Already the
star toward which she was straining
her eager young eyes. had begun to
twinkle. It seemed TO draw nearer at
the look in the mans face before her.
I'm going to give dinner dance
at the club Saturday night" he told
her. Sort OF farewell affair before I
sail for the orient on business for
dad"
Eloise choked down gasp of fright
that seemed to swell her slim, white
throat oh, I'm sorry that you're 60
ing away SO soon,. she, managed at
last.
ut will be six weeks before I SAIL"
ho all ~.
face with d sort OF satisfied smile
lurking around his wide straight
mouth. Il am planning to make the
trip west rather liesurely. stopping off
every day or two to break the mon.
otony of the thing
, Il can't think OF any trip being mo
noton6us in a wonderful private car
like yours, chirped Eloise. well.
here's dear old Henrietta at last I'm
simply starved" She tossed her rid.
ing hat and langufdly stretched al
hand for the little white napkin that
Henrietta's own hands had made and
Numbered, too.
When I get to be as old as you,
Henrietta, maybe I'd do lovely things
like this for thankless young folks"
she laughed.
jerry saw slow blush burn the
older girls cheeks. Her fine hand.
pouring the icy drink from the beaded
silver pitcher, shook q bit. The laugh
ter died in his own eyes.
She's relegating US to the shelf,
Henrietta, he said calmly. 1t was the
firs. tiflc he hed ever used her Chris
tian name. He took the pitcher firm
ly from her hand. "You sit down. I'm
going TO serve you.
I'm realiy very good at this sort of
thing. I'm certainly not ornameu$al. :,
Elofse tlilss yse are octogenarians
simply because-s
Why, tile very idea, Jerry?" inter.
posed the pretty girl. ST didn't say a
word about you. We're about the same
age. Henrietta don't mind my telling
her age. She says she looks every dav
Of II and doesn't care. Don't you, old
dearz"
I've learned not to care" said the
older si5ter patiently.
I'm rEch Ode, than Henrietta"
jerry told tho startled girl in the
smart riding habit. "1'It soon be thirty
five. .
@oh, didn't dream Of il. You look
so awfully young and are SO young.
But them complacently, "men never
show their ages, do they?
II was Just telling Eloise," said
Jerry, taking several sandwiches and
glass Of le5soNade and geing to sit
down beside the surprised Henrietta.
who. from force of habit, occupied The
hard bench instead OF one of the corn.
Portable rocking chairs, II am giving d
dinner dance on Saturday night:
Just ny best friends hero. I dislike
big affairs crushes-you know. Since
Eloise has bSsn so vehement about
hating old age and as I, myself, have
come to zee that December and NAV
are too far apart oh, every way-for
comfortable connpanionship, I'm going
TO send Henry Martin for her and take
you myself Henrietta, II you wiz hon.
OF this staid, elderly gentleman" He
laughed goodhnmoredly, apparently
enjoying the Mortified expression that
somehow BOX the beauty from the
Young girls face -TmS Iehying Mon.
day for the coast on ms waysto the
pEient, he added, turning to look at
Henrietta.
How loyelyir cried Henrietta. en-
Enthusiastically What wonderful
time yon viii have!" She didenot add