The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-03-17
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Sic KeptIt..
By LILY wAANDE1

SesSkSilbhtt lSSVf NY tne mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)
r. EARS gfistened IN Florence ORA.
per's big blue eyes as she looked
: up at Jack Carter beseechingly.
rm-rm afraid it's Dead she
whispered, trembling as she touched
the limp paw Of little dog lying at
her feet.
Never mind, FIossy; there are plen.
~ more little dogs in the world, and
Door old Spry Just had to dies some
Time. you know. Just think how long
You've had him"
That's what made me love him so.'
She wept as she started In off tho
porch, followed by. Carter.
There never will be another one
like Spry." she kept saying as she
dabbed q wet handkerchief to her
eyes.
He was Just plain water spaniel,
like hundreds Of others. And do, for
; my sake, stop crying. can't bear to
SEQ you looking so miserable: it's
breaking my heart" He pressed the
hand nearest his, but the girl gently
withdrew IL.
You mustn't do that, Jack, II isn't
p. 1te,f she said with a dash Of her
old spirit as she gave quick glance
~ the fine cleancut profile besile her.
All, but you know how feel, Flos.
sy. When will you ever give in? I'm
afraid you're Interested in that Col.
Inns fellow, or Is II Forcythe?"
Here, let's talk about your work"
she interrupted. Tell me something
of the cases you had today. Did you
clear Simpson,
y must be going" returned Carter
stihly. ignoring her remark as he rose
from his seat.
A few days Safer he rang the Draper
doorbell, which was Immediately ans
wered by the expressionless servant
whose duty 1t was TO tend the front
door.
y Ais Carter handed him his hat and
coat he slipped generous tip into
his hand.
James, he said, 'T'm going to ask
you to do something for me-"
Yes, sir.s Thank you, sir" the man
replied and waited
Next Wednesdays Miss Flonences
birthday That,Il be day after tomor.
row. want to give her water spaniel
like Spry. II l send the dog around
here after dark tomorrow evening will
You keep him out of sight and then
chain him 10 her chair before she
comes down to breakfast Wednesday,
mornings But don't tell soul"
les, SIR James answered -hesitat-
ingly.
What's the mattcrg" demanded
4srter Why, can't you do it,. It's
3etfectlS simple"
n IN try to manage it, SIR"
VERY we'll, that's settled. Now /
would like to sec Mrs. Draper alone
q minute before you announce me to
Miss Florence
Yes. sir.
While the servant was gone Carter
wandered rcstlessly around the Big
drawing room looking at the famous
paintings on the walls.
"Imsso glad to see you, Jack"
He turned at tho soft voice behind
him TO look down into tho smiling
face of Mrs Draper. Carter impul.
,siyely took her hand In both of his
You grow moro and more like Flos-
ny every day" he told her, his dark
eyes glowing.
-or does Flossy grow more like
mop laughed the mother.
4 guess that's 1t, but what wanted
To ask yoit Is rather peculiar want
cd to beg an invitation to breakfast
cdnesday morning, It's her birth.
div. YOU know"
Why, OF course, we'll be so happy
to have you, his hostess replied
warmly.
A minute lated, Florence herself ap.
peared, radiant and, sparkling with
life, all traces of the recent grief hav.
ing entirely disappeared,
The evening sped swiftly away, and
when Cater finally took his leave he
promised to see her soon again; and
tnre to his word, Wednesday morning