The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-02-25

- IScLE SAM was doing poor
business, in spite OF the fact that
he had no competitors.
The postoffice was vacant OF Gus:
toners except for a white-haired,
white:b bearded man, wearing spectacles
Of the old-fashioned variety, with
straight bows, who stood at the writ
ing desk and alternately bit the end
OF Q pencil while he thought, and la.
Rortously and painstakingly formed
srawltng hierpglyphics in putting the
thoughts on paper.
Round his neck was wound white
scarf with big, red round dots in it,
giving It the appearance OF dozen
flags OF Japan merged into one. How
ever; the scarf had no bearing on what
he was scrtbbling, for the characters
were intended to be English, and the
lace was plainly American, OF the
homeIy, honest backwoods kind.
The scarf must have been part Of
the man, the same as his ears and
nose, for 1t was an unnecessary bar
rier to the cold, due to the fact that
bright spring sun was shining. He
had been standing there an hour, and
there was no indication that he ex.
y pected TO complete his task within the
next sixty minutes.
II began to look as II business
mtght be picking up; for young girl,
clad in 9 plain bue suit, her head
adorp with q tam OF the same hue, be.
meath which ringlets or light brown
hair peeped, came through tho turn
stile door and walked to. the high
desk. In her hand was a small pack.
age, which she proceeded to address,
standing near the old man.
Fine weather" he observed, and
the gifl smiled at him and agreed, but
It was not Q very bright smile. A close
observer might have detected an I'M
due redneHB sabont the blue eyes, as
though there had been, moisture there
In considerable quantities.
The girl walked to the registry win.
dow and passed the package through
the penipg The clark dark.haired
young man, picked 1t up without look
ing at the customer, inquiring briskly:
What's the value?"
He placed the package onrthe scales.
million dollars"
The young man let the package slip
from the scales, but caught 1t before 1t
went far "
I'll? y be, calculated, as he replaced
1t on the counter. How much did you
say II was worth?" And his eyes met
those OF the girl.
4 said million dollars" she re,
turned, with wry little smile. "The
package is worth that much-to me. !"
"0h, hello, Ruth" he exclaimed, rec.
ognition showing in his glance. He
extended aihand through the window,
and she took 1t, her eyebrows lifted in
surprise.
Hello, Harold" was her response.
her face flushing. 81 didn't expect to
see you back here. Where have you
been?p
"oh-around some," he said, and It
seemed there was a queer, eager look
IN his eyes, West mostly-down the
Columbia river with the salmon fish.
ers good deal. 1 was up in Vancou-
yer year, too. Seriously what is this
package WORTH"
Her.face became more flushed. She
bit her lip. - = - -r-'. =, "
Tn sureI can't tell; probably $780,
He began filling out blank.
" " was couple OF years ago I'd
say " might be a diamond" he OBJ
served, but you can't buy diamond
now for sixty--at least, not a decent
one.
Its o little one, and I've had it a
- She caught herself and bit the lin
again. 80 ~
SO It is diamondl Excuse me,
Ruth; l didn't mean to be curious,
It's none Of my business, OF course.
When she handed him the package
the address side had been down, but
he had. reversed 1t while weighing II
and had Inadvertently looked at the
name. II had made no impression on
MS mind then, because he had not
seen the girl; but now he recalled It.
ITS q queer world, iEut it," he re-
marked alphabetically and under.
standiugly, as he tore off the stamps.
fes, 1t certainly is" and she could
not suppress sigh.
She lacked three cents OF the neces.
sary amount Of change, SO she gave
him o ten.dollar bill.
smallest / have" she explained
apologetically.
he took the bill and rummaged in
the drawer,
Well, what do you think OF that?
It's the first time'1 ever knew of such
tning IN postoffice. can't make
cnange. Pardon me minute" and he
ieII the window, to return shortly with
the announcement:
cant find change for ten any.
where in the office; so I've had to send
out Tor It. Perhaps you won't mind
chatting with me for few moments. "I
The old man with the scarf stucl,
his face into the scene and asked for a
stamp, grinning: - :
Sorry; you've got the wrong win.
dow, said the clerk. This is the reg.
istry window. Turn to your left for
bLamDH.
'"Thankee, thankee," the old
man said. i amt much used to post.
offices and he went away.
i heard You were married" the