Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1920-05-07
FAIR AND FORTY
BY LILLIAN M. RICHARDS.
1920. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicat

Down on a narrow street, where the
newsboys are shouting "eXtra" most
of the time. Myra Virgins sits at the
cashiers desk in one of those famous
restaurants with a buckwheat front.
For three years now she has sat In
the same window. Her eyes and ears
are always open and nothing escapes
her notice.
Say mister" loudly called Myra
one day to customer trying to sneak
out, "pay your check here, please"
"Huh." srowed the man, coming
back, think you're smart, don't your
And slamming the money down on the
counter, 81 suppose you thought | was
trying to steal a feed"
"My goodness no." replied Myra.
smilingly. "Guess you were suddenly
called to a. fire; hut after this. when
in here, be sure and see me before you
leave"
"Well, is that So" sneeringly. ~
place. or maybe you-"
Just then her antagoniZer felt a
strong hand grab his collar and de-
mand an apology. Without hesitating
the irritant murmured something about
being sorry. and SUNK out Of the door
Myra's wel-roundetl face became as
red as roses when she looked up into
the set features of big jim Roland.
Jim was travelling man, and every
time he came to town 1t was not tn"
| eats alone that brought him to this
well-knOwn restaurant. Myra Virgins
welcome smile and pleasant "How do
won him from the start. Now Their
friendship grew rapidly into something
more deep and lasting.
They were both around the age of
forty and had come to that quiet un-
derstanding of accepting things as
they We're; neither inquired into the
others affairs.
A buXom widow was Myra. with one
child. whom she boarded at a small
farmhouse in the country. Little Irene
Virgins was the joy of her life, and
Myra delighted in her trips to the re-
gion where she could breathe Gods
pure air. away from the smoke and
dust of the city. One day, as she and
Irene were starting for q stroll over
the hills. rasv-cheeked lad of ten
begged to go with them.
"He lives here. too. MAMMA" plead
/ ed her little girl. 'He's my bestest
chum. Can't he go?"
swell. all right" replied Myra good
naturally. and taking his hand she in
CURED: whats your name little bov?"
"My names Jack Roland" was his
sturdy reply, as he stumbled along by
her side.
"Roland" gasped she, hearing the
name. Then, curiously, "And what's
your fathers name? Jack, too?"
'No, my daddy's name is jim" and
with upturned face. you've never met
my daddy, have you? He's the biggest
man in the world"
Myra's thoughts were racing Il mile
minute. and her cheeks burned with
curiosity. "He must mean my Jim," she
thought, and still it didn't seem pos
sible. The children ran ahead and
were sliding on the ice. little dreaming
of the turmoil they'd created for Myra.
After a few minutes silent bordering
she called them to her side and turned
hack toward the house. AS they were
chatting in their childish way she
heard little Jack say to Irene:
My Mammals coming this afternoon
with daddy. She brings me candy and
everything"
Unable to restrain the question any
longer Myra asked, "And who's your
Mamma. little boy?' at the same time
dreadihs- the answer.
"Why, that's his mother, of course"
quickly replied Irene, as if Myra ought
to know.
""She works in the city," Joined Jack
wisHully. ~
1t was with quiet dignity that she
refused 'Jim's many invitations the
next week, and his big, joviaT face
wore a puzzled expression, although
he said nothing. Myra. who was usu-
ally the picture of health. looked
drawn and pale. Shed grown fond of
jim Roland. and,sto discover him in
this light hurt not little.
Tucking Irene on her sled, Myra
started down the back lane through
the meadows. The cold, clear air
brought the color to her cheeks, as
Irene pulled the end of her scarf and
shouted. "Gitty-up-horsey." 1t was a
wonderful day and ended all too quick
ly. On their way back, as Myra went
to jump a brook she fell with a scream
in the snow. Irene tried to help her
up. but finding her arms limp became
frightened and cried for help. Little
Jack Roland and his daddy, who were.
walking near by, came to their assist,
ance..
"Is this little girl your sister?" he
asked smilingly after the pain had SUBJ
sided.
= "No, Jim, she's my daughter" ex-
planned Myra quietly. give been q.
widow for several years now. And 7
thought until recently that you were
single ALSO"
"Why-so I am" he replied emphat-
ically. Little Jacks mother died
when he was a baby"
"And-and Nanna?" asked Myra
tremblingfy.
GNopnao with q ralieya6 lool,