The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-05-04
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Evergreen Memories.
BY "A. MARIA CRAWFORD.
LGtnn,rninhk loon III, Tho A6nEM,,r

Newspaper Syndicate.)
RS. MILTON FORDYCE had
iV definitely made up her mind to
- + nip In the bud her sons infatu-
\ alton for airy, fairy little Gale Mccoy.
4 After weighing all desirable feminine
I. attributes carefully in the balance and
deliberating at length on the tangible
!. evidence In hand, she had reached the
conclusion that Stella Hamilton was
the ideal mate for staid, matter.of.fact
Peter, who had taken his fathers place
Y IN the bank and at the age Of thirty
three was enjoying the enviable posi-
ton Of vice-president of that we'll
known institution.
II was high time for him to marry
10 settle down and to do his part in
* the great scheme OF things by leav.
Ing other hands to take UP his work
nf life when his own !, should have
grown weary OF their task.
Although these thoughts, like flap
ping bats In a dusty belfry, were eter.
tally milling around in the smoothly
c0iffed head Of Mrs. Fordyce, she did
4 not grow; Historically yoluble on the
subject until she learned, quite acct.
( dentally by the time-worn method Of
searching mems pockets before their
clothes are sent to the cleaners-that
\ her dignified, exhibited-with-pride son,
the only heir to the house and fortune
81 Tcrdyce, had been going to see q
cinema queen.
Not to see her on the screen, mind
VOC. but to see her in person, u small
five feet four and half person OF
glowing youthful flesh and beauty,
4 Visiting her in her apartment, where
he had tea only the afternoon before
The awful discovery of his DR.. Jekyll
and Mr.. Hyde conduct.
There was only one thing to be done
Z ut that late hour Of his ENHANCEMENT,
griraiy considered his d!straught
mother. So she bravely decided to
y east her all on one turn Of the smooth
Y " worn wheel Of convention. In a
group Of girls who belonged to Pc
\ fef's own class in society she would
show the girl up, and Peters perilous
little flight among the comets OF the
stage would soon be a thing OF the
Then, to hide his own chagrin and
nicrtification, Peter would docilely
Rnree to marry Stella and presto the
house Of Fordyce would be insured
AGAINST social pirates-like little Gale
Accordingly, without taking Peter
ihfn her confidence, Mrs. Fordycs,
hsving fortified herself against shock
~ taxing a tablespoonful OF ammonia
Ia half a glass Of water, went forth
Z in her shining limousine to call upon
Miss Mccoy at an hour that had been
arTeed upon by use Of the telephone.
"A harassing little instrument which
IS sometimes employed for such use
full purposes.
stoical looking Jap and she gave a
real start OF genuine surprise wnen
sile saw what an artistic place the
creaftre had secured. Probably some
iiecorator had done it all. There were
M vanping Pekinese or squaking par.
.rots. no cigarette butts on floor and
chairs. no idle, rich, bald.headed old
gentleman Sinking out as she swept
n. no giddily blondined, disheveled
woman spiIling too abundant bust
mt ~ a bizarre, many colored Nmono.
Instead, quiet, sweet young girl,
about nineteen, who wore a plain lit
lie blue serge with immaculate collar
and cuffs OF snowy organdie, rose def
erentially to greet her and straight
way presented her to a gracious MID
lle.aged woman, her mother, who ep,
peared TO be as familiar with social
! usages and customs as the arlstocrdt'
c caller herself.
ut is certainly charming OF you to
want me for the week end at your
Eauntry place, Mrs. Fordyce, and ! Will
ne very happy indeed to co. the girl
said, IN answer to Mrs. Fordyce's caro-
fully planned invitation. Peter has
toId me so many interesting things
about your lovely home that gladly
welcome an opportunity to see 1t foi
Peter! She called him Peter Just
as casually friendly as you please,
Perhaps she was too late! Wall, abe
was gambling and she would have
10 take q chance, thought Mrs. For.
dives. her arrogant spirit dropping Q
little like the feathers on her hat.
WITHIN twenty-four hours after the
raw house party began, Mrs. Fordyce
l:ncw that she had figuratively put
hes foot into 1t, into sucking sands
that tugged painfully For Gale Nc
f:py was easily the belle Of the crowd,
and fleter, who had never before even
looked cross at his mother in all hib
thirty.three years, snapped at her
viciouRly she thought; when she tried
TO tactfplly suggest that her as hefitted
yoNpg host. must leave the charms