The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-02-20
THE Dali y
SHORT STORY.
Mice and a Pumpkin Coach.
.sy cRAwFoRp LurrRnLL.
Copyright, 1920, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)

lCopyrtght, l92V, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)
ssxvlELL, my first day at the of
NV flee Is over. and can hon
estly say that enjoyed IT."
Nan announced TO the anxiously in.
quirtng two who turned to welcome
her at the sound OF her key IN the
lock. She tossed off her smart black
sailor hat and sat down on hassock
by her mother. 81 feel so important,
Ind although don't know much yet,
. know that will learn. am giving
my entire time and thought to 1t.
have no silly sentimental ideas about
my boss falling In love with me. For.
tunately, he Is bald, fat and forty, and
his wife rings up every two or three
hours to tell him something about the
kids or to remind him to go by the
bakers for bread. Why don't women
attend to their own business as mel
do?"
+Pshaw!" sighed the fifteen year
old Ruth. II hoped that there would
be young man In the office, good.
looking and rich, and that he WOULD
come around on Sundays and take us
all out riding to the country"
Nan looked up at her and winked.
Perhaps can find that ageeable
sort Of boss next time look for
work. Then to her mother, 81 am
glad that things are Just as they are.
Personally don't believe in drawing
weekly pay envelope for time spent
In trying to get husband. Do you,
muddie, dear?"
when the right man comes along
vftstyl -lfV1nu ~ Nan uuhafhnr "
at dance or buying chops at but
cher,s. I believe that there is fate
\ guarding these issues of life. Per
Maps II sounds foolish for an old wo-
hnan like me to say such things, but
1t is one OF my pet theories, grounded
In innumerable cases of fact that
have observed.
don't agree with you, mother"
said the sophisticated fifteen-year-
old. eWhen grow up 1 am going to
pick out the best looking, richest man
in town and set about making him
fan IN love with me. Getting married
is every woman's first business in
life. Why, already am encouraging
Billy tMcMahan. His father owns a
plumbing place, know, but he is
making money 80 fast that In two or
will quote him about everything, call
ing him colonel or general or some
thing. Blood don't count any more.
Why, nobody but the ten.year census
man ever asks about your grand
mother"
ooh, wisdom in short skirts!" gasp.
ed Nan. IT'S horried to say such
Z things to mother, Ruthie. You know It
shocks her."
You might just as well know how
/ feel about such things. or course,
expect to go to work Just as soon as
leave high school and help cheerfully
SO that you will have most of your
salary to spend on yourself, Nan,
Mother has her little income and
maybe by that time prices will take
tumble, and we can manage better
than we do now"
Mrs. Taylorm laughed bit shakily.
Then she drew a letter from her dress
pocket. II have some astonishing
news, girlies. Nan, you can resign to.
morrow"
Resign! why?"
Your father bought some mining
stock many years ago and we just con-
sidered the money lost, but today while
you were at the office and Ruth was
at school strange lawyer called and
told me that-that we are to have
three hundred month from the In.
vestment. wanted to ring both of
you and tell you to run right home,
but 4 saved the news for a happy sur.
prise tonight"
Ruth threw her books on the floor
and began a sort Of Indian war dance,
cfnnting wierdly as she circled the
two. Nan sat there as II she had been
turned into stone.
Aren't you glad, Nan, dear?" asked
her mother, bending over to touch her.
I'm just staggered, stunned, but /
am not going to give up my position"
Why, child, we can live beautifully
onswhat have and the three hundred
and send Ruth to college, too"
know" said Nan seriously. ut
nearly killed me to even think of 60.
ing into mans office to earn my own
livelihood. ALL those months that 1
studied at business college were like
q nightmare to me, but conquered
the feeling and now won't give It
up. feel capable. like getting up
and going out every day. like the
hum OF the office people coming ana
going all OF It. It fascinates me-"
I'm bet there is man in that Of
fices that you like" exploded Ruth
suddenly.
Nobody but Mr.. Henderson, and
he doesn't look az II he had ever beer
young enough to think OF romance
explained Nan ha1ghttly.
II thought you said the firm was
Henderson & Henderson, daughter!"
1T Is. He has a brother or a
nephew or somebody who does all or
( the tout-of.town business. I haven't
even seen him."
The telephone bell tinkled, then
a rang vigorously, mistakenly.
FIt's man and he wants you,"
tersely announced Ruth, who always
rushed to answer calls.
In few minutes Nan turned away
from the telephone. TITS Mr.. Hender-
sons nephew. He has Just come In
from the East. He wants to explain
some letters to me, corrections to be
made | Rnass l must have hnnrlad