The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-02-11
HE D AL u
SHORT STORY
The Guiding Spark.
Rv poRA' MoLLAM.

were seemingly intent on the flames
leaping up the huge chimney. The
4 gnarled hickory log blazed steadily.
, Sticks OF silver birch Ncracked, shoot
ing out sparks with reckless zest. A
fiery star fell perilously close to
Betty. She Kicked It back uncoucern-
eddy with the toe OF her slipper.
That Is not safe wood to burn in an
open fire. Oak is much more depend
ngle." Trayers Raymond gdye the ad.
vice perfunctorily. Plainly he was oc.
cupied with his own thoughts.
That's jusk why l burn it when
get a chance. was always given ice
cream instead OF fireworks on the
Fourth Of July"
Something in Betty's tone aroused
her companion from his abstraction.
Pretty hard on girl whose ances-
tors fought so there might be some
thing to celebrate on that day." he
laughed.
.Tray promise me one thing. When
we are married let the word 'ances.
tor be taboo in our house. All my
life have been, like an island, en-
ttrely surrounded by them-with per-
haps bridge or two, leading to some
other pedigreed island like you. Aunt
ue5talks nothing else. I'm not allow
ed TO be myself, ever-1ust, an echo OF
the ghostly steps that walk this old
housets'
The flush on Betty's cheeks show
. ed how earnest were her words.
I'm unreservedly with you there
Bets. Those old buffers had their
nyes-why should, they want TO butt
In on ours and order them according
To THAR rn1atv nndas
rTray!"
yes, Betty"
wonder If they really do want to
influence our lives according to their
earth time ideas-atter they are deau,
mean. Times, conditions, everything,
changes SO; new conditions grow up.
Does It seem reasonable that they, in
the spirit world, If they are still aware
of earthly things, are incapable of
read1usting their views and hopes to
fit better into the scheme OF lives now
liying?"
Betty was lingering neryously an
oval gold locket that hung from her
neck by a narrow black ribbon,
From what remember OF Grand.
father Raymond he would be just that
incapable OF seeing anything in any
new light though the world had turn
ed inside out meantime" Trayers
smiled grtmly at the recollection OF
his paternal forebear.
we been thinking this over a lot,
try. suppose the new worldwide
interest IN spirit manifestations start
ed me. AID got to wondering, Tray,
about our mothers" Betty's voice
was low. Raymond, all his abstraction
gone, was keenly attentive.
When they both expressed as their
dying wish that We two marry" con-
ttnued the girl, "of course they were
convinced that 1t would be for our
best interest and happiness. Because
they had been so happy in their
friendship they expected us to be
more som this sequel to 1t. It's over
I'VE years since my mother died,
Irayers, and yours went the year be-
fore. Do you think they would still
ask It IL their spirits could speak to
US now?.
Are You suggesting that we try to
get INTO communication with them
through some spiritualist medium,
Betty? Somehow can't bring myself
to put any faith in them" Travers
shifted his position uneasily. The
girl thought, she discerned in him a
Lresher interest, more animation, than
he had displayed for many days,
No" she answered, 81 wasn't
thinking of proposing that-just that
we sit here silently, bathing ourselves
In the memory of them, giving to them
every atom Of our thought
land our sympathy. Maybe
VINO knows?-it is in the power of
their spirits to communicate with us
In some way-to give us a sign-if we
can place ourselves in tune with them.
Putting their pictures here before us
might help us to concentrate our
selves upon them" ~
"Gadt / believe you've hypnotized
me, Betty-or else it's this natures
incense from the fire. You are actu-
any convincing me that such a fan
tislc tning might really happen. Shall
we use the portraits in our lockets?"
Upon the impulse of his own sug-
gestion ,Raymond's hand went 70 ts,
charm at his fob, seeking TO detach If
But the hand fell Imply, and TRAY
ers, confronted by a sudden realiza-
ton, stared strtight ahead, search
ing for escape from n dilemma. He
was too absorbed to notice that Betty
had gone suddenly white and that on.,
hand clutched the oval locket tight
". eAt
"A way out came to Travers. "Er-
won't our fathers portraits in the re-
verse side OF the lockets, confuse our
memories, Betty?"
Yes, TRAY; I'm sure they would. ;"
agreed Betty hurriedly, almost eager.
~. Wen take them out and Law them
face down on the table" She drew
toward her a small stand covered with
dme-yellow China shawl, deeply
fringed. "They must remain faced
down, you know-their personalities
must not intrude."
IAN excellent thought" agreed
Raymond, greatly relieved. And pres
emily the banished miniatures Law
blankly side by side on the silkeu
shawl while those of the mothers from
their golden frames gave back tic
loving gate of the grown-up boy and
The, ancient clock in the hall struck
nine. The two young figures in front
OF the blazing fire stared straight at
the pictures. In the face @: the eirI
and the face of the man was tender m
Ill H.