The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-04-14


But aloud she merely said: We're all
glad to have you home, dear. and the
time will go all too quickly"
by the way" said Josephine, as
fone to whom something has Just oc-
CURED. "the. last day OF my stay am
expecting down to meet you all the
man who wants to marry me-"
Josephine" gasped her mother,
sinking weakly down upon the bed.
Josephine! And l suppose 1t is one
lof those dreadful men you have been
seeing, with long hair and soft collars,
fand-and, oh ] wish you had never.
Enever gone down there!"
" Come mother urged Josephine
lprisky "be sensible. He isn't as bad
las all that"
He doesn't paint or write or-or
\ anything like that, does he?" asked her
Hmother, pleading for negative reply.
Josephine appeared to mediate, her
mead on one side, her brush poised
lover her streaming locks. yes" she
said. shortly, "he writes"
And with that her mother tried to
be satisfied for the time being.
Not SO the other, members OF the
family. Joe's fourteen-year-ol brother
land sixteen.year.old sister and nice.
fmiddle.aged father were consumed
with curiosity over the possibly pros.
Epectfve new member OF the family.
Il always knew 10 wouldn't pick out
ANYBODY In this slow old town." said
Billy with utter frankness, "and it's
Just like her to go in for some queer
duck 2
where did you meet him. asked
her father.
Well said Josephine, after mo-
iments hesitation, 81 met him at Daisy
tGasserl studio tea"
Her father groaned inwardly. The
kind OF man he would have welcom-
ed as a son-in.law he felt sure would
krather starve than be caught at tea,
Jet alone studio tea, which he vauge-
ty supposed consisted of queerly
tgowned women, curly haired men and
anarchistic conversation. What pity
losephine hadn't seen her way clear
Ito encourage Dick Borden, the good
hooking son OF his old business asso.
ciatel There was a coming man for
syput And Mr.. Webster put that same
idea in his pipe, as the saying goes.
and smoked ittgood and hard.
The first linking that any orr, got OF
J9sephiIe's nellr fiance's name was
when Sally sauntered into her sisters
room and picked up a postal living con.
I spfcuonsly on the latter's dresser. Por.
Rfay1ng one OF the very new stars In
be- Russia1 ballet, it bore in scrawl.
letters at the bottom the words:
ntll see you, my soul mate. R..
drobsky.'
he very noon of Josephine's last
nome and of the day of Mr.. Ned.
sky,s arrival, Mr.. Webster, coming
for lunch, sought out his wife.
en- he said, what do you think?
Dick Borden downtown. He ask.
he most kindly after 10 and | in.
sd him up to dinner tonight. 10
been down In that bohemian place
long she has forgotten what a real
nan looks like. Just give her chance
6tqsee fellow like young Borden
alpngside OF her poet creature and
sssaeslI turn him down-or else be more
\ or an idiot than want to think INV
Z own daughter"
Well, maybe" said his wife, not
SYtthout hope herself, "but I'm afraid
Josephine won't like it,
As matter Of fact. Josephine was
quite decent about It. She did saw that
she supposed 1t was somewhat unus.
Eual to ask an old sutton to meet Ia
successor, but If she could stan4 h.
she guessed he could, and she knew
S;4ers poet was a very good sport.
IN the later afternoon, as the time
Grew near when the invited guest
might be expected to arrive. the web.
sster family found itself disposed on
the 'front.' veranda. A general feeling
@ excitement was in the air. OF them
al the least concerned was Josephine
Herself, sitting in the couch hammock
reading, her feet tucked comfortahlv
Beneath her. ''
Presently tall figure appeard n,
Z me elm-shaded street, paused at the
Gate, and swung up the path.
Hello, Dick" shouted Billy.
How do, Borden" said Mr.. Webster.
advancing with cordially outstretched
Hello there" called Josephine her.
SELF flushing prettily as She dronned
her magazine and went into the arms
9of the newcomer, to the consternation
OF her open-mouthed family.
did play the game, 10 dearon he
asked. ~ oeef ne
You certainly did," cried lose
phine, and Selling his hand she faced
heF mystified family. ALLOW me-" sbe
aid with. sweeping regal gesture
10 introduce Richard Borden. nv In
Pended husband" '"-
"But-how about this Nedbroskv
lellow?" cried Billy, giving utterance
% what all the rest were thinking.
"Why-that old name is only INV IN.
mre surname spelled backwards. with
tiie SKY" added to give X the touch
You all seemed to demand. l intended
70 give you Just little surprise. but
when you all insisted on ascribing TO
my friend all sorts OF queer Character
tstics decided to play the game for
all it was worth. Just let your
thoughts run away with you, And ID
yrote.to Dick about It and that is 'why
be sent the postal and why he dfd NOT
give himself away when father asked
him up here tonight"
.But You said you met him at al
lea. reproached Sally.
s"I did," said Josephine promptly.
sbut ] didn't say that was the first
time had met him. And told the
truth when I said he writes, for isn't
t1st.f I.