The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-10-25

L
small, interesttng-looking tea
room more because he had
nothing to do than for any terrific
thirst he had for black coffee.
However, having arrived inside
the quaint little orange-colored
door, he felt glad. There was
decided sense Of atmosphere about
the small, tastefully arranged tea
room and as he sank into a cor
ner built for two Jimmy was con-
scious OF longing for the other
of that two. But alas! he was
only one, and desperately lone
some one at that. Jimmle's entire
flock OF best girls was scattered
at seaside or mountain resort.
After he had ordered his black
coffee and cinnamon toast he
slumped down into his chair in an
effort to find greater comfort for
longer legs. One Of these long
legs shurfled about something al
ong the floor and Jimmie pceTcd
under tho table to see what II
was.
1t proved to be Il photograph,
ready for mailing but badly, very
badly. done UP. The string was
slipping off and the cardboard pro-
lection was in a decided way OF
escaping 1t duty. Jimmie suppos-
ed a woman had tied it up.
It was addressed to man in
Chicago and in the corner the sen
der's name was given as Fay NC
Bane, with an address that Jimmie
knew TO be only a block or two
from the tea room. Apparently
Miss McBane had been out to post
The photograph and had dropped 1t
IN the tea room rather than IN the
mail box.
Jimmie let slip the string that
was already but frail binding.
He wanted to see what Fay looked
like. Had the photograph been
we'll tied up he would have crop
ped 1t In the first box. AS 1t was
he decided swiftly that, since he
was not near string, pen and Ink
or anything that would make
sendable package he would just
non around the corner annd return
The photograph to the sender
that is, il he In any way fancied
the face within.
The face was beautiful but with
holiness OF outline that did not
appeal to Jimmie as being OF the
best-girl type. She would be de-
lIghtful to take out to dances and
dinner Just for the pleasure OF
gazing upon her but for the hearth
and home, Jimmie wanted q softer
gentler less earthly model.
However he decided upon trying
to see the original, and after fin
ish4nE his coffee, he started out
to try his luck.
It was a hot day in August,
and when Jimmie discovered that
Miss McBaue lived on the fourth
floor OF the building and that
there was no elevator he almost
made up his mind that beauty OF
face was hardly worth the climb.
But as the mail box was not large
enough to hold the photograph he
took q deep breath and began to
mount the stairs.
After reaching the top Jimmie
thrust out the photograph in view
40 that whoever might open the
door would see the reason for ms
errand and would not take him
for a magazine agent and close the
door in his hot face.
The girl who opened it was nel-
Their the girl of the photograph or
did she in any way resemble her,
She was not pretty, she was not
hold. nor was she anything that
Jimmie had expected to see. Miss
McBane was IN artist, judging
from the studio, the big apron, the
daubs of paint on plQuant' IN
teresting little face and the eastes
canvases and drapery strewn about
the place.
When she found out the reason
for his being there she very sweet
" invited the tired, hot Jimmie
into her studio and let him sit In
the cool window seat. He liked
her the moment he looked into her
ewes. Jimmie particularly disliked
fiirtv eyes, especially in best girl
and this Fay McBane was without
doubt of the best girl model de
could easily, even on his scant ac-
ouaintapce, picture her feet on the
home fender and her slim hands
serving the evening meal and pour
ing the breakfast coffee.
'That Is one of my models" she
was saying, II was sending 1t out
to the author to see if the type
was suitable for the Illustrations
OF her latest novel. 1t was most
kind Of you to bring it. l fancted
had dropped it in the mail box. "
''Male hands instead" laughed
Jimmie,
The quaint little face of the ar
tist lent itself beautifully to smiles
"And was bit lonesome" he
II suppose you expected to see
the original" said Fay with n
short laugh. I'm sorry she is not
here just now-she may drop in
later"
she iR a big goodnatured girl
and far more lovely to look at than
her picture indicates"
ear more lovely to look at than
to talk also, l suppose" Jimmie
suggested and found himself just
! a trifle annoyed that Miss McBane
was so willing to praise the other
girl. II suppose you never have