The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-04-26
HE Dali Y
SHORT STORY
/. o. U.
BY CORONA REMINGTON.
Copyright, 1920. by tho Mcclure
ha,-,n,ro,. Candidate

fooling around that Blake girl
you'll marry her sure; then Ill dis
inherit you"
But, father, I'm not in love with
Miss Blake and wouldn't marry her If
she were the only CIR! in the world"
We'll, that nag be all right, but
there's something ! want you to do
for me. want you 10 go to California
10 your uncle wiz Benefits and stay
on his ranch for awhile and learn
something OF country life. l wrote to
him about It and lie said he'd be GLAD
to have you.
Jack thought q moment. HIS father
was evidently set upon his going. anG.
anyhow, trip to California would not
be so bad; so why not? After brlel
mental calculation he replied:
'I'll be ready next Wednesday"
Good! That's settled, I'll write to
your uncle and tell him when to ex.
pect you"
A few days Of hustling preparations
and Jack found biEsslf ready for the
trip. When Wednesday morning ar.
rived he boarded the through sleeper
with light heart, as he idly watched
the hurry scurrying crowds outside
waving good.byes to the slowly moving
train. He. sat immersed in thought for
a few moments, hat his attention was
soon distracted by the gruff voice OF
the pullman conductor speaking TO the
passenger in the opposite seat:
Well, lady, you can't stay here I'M
less you got the money to pay for it
you'll have to go in the day coach"
But day coaches don't go all the
way to. San Francisco, and I'm alone,
and I'd have to stop at hotels on the
way" the passenger protested.
Beneath a perky little toque Jack
saw most bewitching face that wore
5 an expression OF much perplexity.
The young man promptly sided with
the distressed little creature across
the aisle, and, drawing card from
his pocket, touched the conductor on
the arm.
please give this to the young lady,"
he said, land ask her to permit me IN
lend her the necessary money-it
would be pleasure.
Without waiting for the message to
De repeated, the girl glanced at the
card and addressed Jack directly:
It's so good of you to offer, Mr..
Losmond. IL don't know what to do
about 1t but guess I'll have to accept.
Here's my card. III return It as soon
as reach San Frapcisco."
AS she smiled her thanks two fasci.
mating dimples appeared, then disap.
: peared SO rapidly that Jack could not
be sure that he had seen them at all.
he hoped she would smile again. After
the conductor had gone he wanted to
tolk to his fair neighbor, but Miss
Westell seemed TO consider tho mat.
ter closed, fer she soon buried herself
In book, and the morning passed un.
eventually. When luncheon was an.
nounced, he decided to wait until the
girl should arise in the hope OF being
able to offer to escort her TO the
diner, but Edith Westell showed no
signs Of moving. Suddenly it occur
red TO, him that possibly she had no
money to pay for her meal, since he
had only handed TO the conductor
enough to pay for her Pullman fare.
He addressed her in his most engac-
ing tones:
beg pardon Miss westell. but
won't you take lunch with me? I'd be
charmed II you would"
She puckered up her forehead for a
second as II debating, then:
Since I'm nearly starved and it's
my only chance of getting something
TO eat, guess I'd better accept your
kindness though it does seem dread
fully unconventional; but I'm raven.
ously hungry"
Lets forget conventions until We
reach San Francisco he suggested
But think It would be better for
me to borrow more money and pay for
my own lunch" she replied.
Sorry. but I'm afraid can't lend
you any more" he returned with mock
seriousness.
The girl looked up and caught the
twinkle in his dark eyes and smiled
despite her attempt at being dignified
We'll" she said, "Ill have to ac.
cept this time. Let's go at once.
please; I'm famished"
Mr.. Losmond ordered the mcal and
watched the girl sitting opposite him
with fascinating interest. Her face
wore an expression OF eager antici.
patton.
"You seem to be interested in
things" he remarked.
Having had nothing to eat sinc.
last night and possessing an abnor.
mally good epptite, naturally am"
TOO bad" he sympathized. 81 neve,
dreamed but what you'd had your
breakfast. Ui
mo. I'm running away and that's
how come to be short OF money" Sbe
blushed at her own confession.
You seem remarkably cain for ono
who Is running away" he laughed.
But l. really am, all the same Nv
parents believe I'm safe and sound in
New York"
IT should think they'd have missed
you by now and be wiring all over
creation" he put in.
"oh, no. took care they shouldn't
get alarmed so soon by telling them
that l was tired of everything and
was going to bury myself at friends
house for whole week and didn't
want them to try to find me or 10
communicate with me in any way. At
the end Of that time promised 10 let
them hear from me and they agreed
because they say that I've never got
ten into any mischief; so I'm a