The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-02-10

eye ana eNeEy Seuse piIlhSu I6Ns
the Job comes time. perhaps, when
the mechanical and spiritual intelli-
{ gence of the operator fall a little
apart as 1t were. and man can fol-
low copy and set clean proofs with
part of his brain the while another
part goes a-wandering.
Even then 1t isn't every one who
experiences the change; only the more
agile minded, and they must nave
served long and faithfully at the key
board.
So you may know that Bedient was
an old hand, old enough to have
a Just right 10 the gray in his hair,
when tell you that no one in the
"Graphics'sJ composing room had a
cleaner score OF errors at the end Of
a days work and that no one was
farther beyond the deadline IN the
number of slugs cast than this same
Richard Bedient; and all in spite OF
the fact that Cor hours Of every day
his thoughts were dwelling, these last
four months, on the girl at the next
machine.
She had come in answer to one of
the advertisement that Briggs, the
foreman. had inserted so often OF late
in trade paper, for the Graphic"
was expanding and operators We're
scarce and hard to find. =
When Briggs gave her Farleys old
machine, next to Bedient, the gray
haired operator had noticed only that
she was quiet and businesslike and
wore her hair rather plainly. When
later In the day, Briggs addressed the
Z girl as Miss Murgatroyd, Bedien
glanced keenly at the newcomer, really
observing her for the first time.
Thereafter, many times during the
day, he studied the girl unobstrusive-
ly. On the way out, at the days end,
he spoke to the foreman as the latter
was closing his desk.
.eThat new operation on No. IA, Mr..
Briggs, where did she come from?"
eToledo. Looks to be better than
most we've been getting" This was
purely professional judgment. Nice
kind of girl, apparently"
,'Yes, responded Bedient, and pass
ed on.
"A curious sort of friendship grew up
between the new girl and Bedient. In
her way Miss Murgatroyd was as re-
served as the silent, courteous COM
positor whom every one liked, but with
whom no one ever became familiar.
Bernice Murgatroyd was voted diff
cult by the nine other girls and given
up as hopeless by all but one Of the
( dozen bachelor operators and proof
readers. One of the latter, young
Rocle Fellows, was frankly smitten
and as frankly persistent, and for him
Berniee had frequent bright smile
and CHEEKY, If brief, word.
But toward the older man she bore
: herself with singular half diffident,
half confident air that might have
been born Of lifelong acquaintance,
and in which there was suggestion
of unquestioning faith: AS for what
this slip ola girl meant to Bedient-
but let the story tell itself.
Both lived within walking distance
of the office, and their ways lay
through the same streets. Almost al
ways they walked home together.
Bedients boarding place was the far,
Their on. Once, after they had said
goodnight, he turned for parting
glimpse of the slim young figure, to
see that the girl had stopped halfway
mp the steps and was gazing after
him.
Rodents heart leaped; but he
laughed it out Of its folly. 1t might
have been as well If he could have
seen the wistful look in the deep blue
eyes and the quick flush as she waved
her hand to him and ran hastily UP
the steps.
For Bedient, remembering his forty
seven years, had beaten back his
longings, and watched, with patient
Nope, the eager suit of young Fellows.
When for two days the proofreader
came no more to Bernice's machine
on the flying visits with the whispered
joyous jokes. The second evening
Bedient took liberty.
Little girl" he said, as they be-
gan the long walk home. 81 noticed
yesterday and today that you and the
boy were not getting along together.
DON'T think me meddlesome, please;
but Pm terribly afraid of causeless
uuarrels quarrels of misunderstand-
lngs. 1t isn't my business, know; but
I'm worried about you-and Fellows.
He's good, clean boy. A girl would
pc safe with him. You-you care for
him don't your" Il
The girls voice was very low. "Why
do you, ask?"
They had walked almost half
block before Bedient answered. "Tll
|tSlA fSOu. 4OuL ulOlueT was GertruQe
Holt. didn't have to ask you; you
are she over again. She and well,
we loved each other. We quarreled
needlessly. 1 don't suppose either OF
US thought 1t would last week. Peo-
pie seldom see to the ED of such
z things. She married John Murgatroyd.
& He took her to Toledo. 1 have never
seen her, but know. Your father
well, your father was not exactly"
You need not spare him." the cir.
interrupted. "At the end it Killed
mother-a year ago."
Yes" said Bedient solemnly. 81
heard. You see, don't you, child, why
presume to NEEDLE? 1t happens so
often. I'm not much, but at least /
wouldn't have mistreated your mother.
This young Fellows is an honorable
lad-a fine type. hope"
1t was very hard for Bedient to
say it-hard To dissemble. He was
laundering a bit when Bernice, in
voice that tremb1ed with temerity at
her sudden resolution, said.
Royce Fellows and l have had no
overs quarrel. have never thought
Of him except as witty boy" She