The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-10-22
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Denzil's Atonement
Dy MARTHA MCCULLOUGH
WILLIAMS


shGppy IN the wicked consciousness
that Mrs. James, on tho plaza,
would look up from her rick-rack
aud say to no: gossip, Mrs. Lotion:
Don't you dee-Bptse 1omboy
girl? And Isn't this one the very
worst7"
Throughou. the hot season
Dcnzil lived mainly to shock and
disturb the prim summer people.
+. they were never called borders
their hostess, Widow Marvia,
was quite too refined for that. In
stead they were paying guests
paying through the nose for what
they got plus gentility. As a
mlnibter's relict. Dame Marvin felt
herself entitled to prices beyond
those un-Christian. not 10 say
worldly-nlinded persons, would
had the face to ask: she also felt
that the influence OF the cloth
should be retroactive in the mat
tor OF prices for market stuff, and
service. Hence-partly--Denztl 9
antagonism. She herself was faI;
minded in all things, also straight
1UE'WbEu hAAAOSL w IAS $780,
brusQueness.
Still there was something be
yond. II wore trousers, 4 pompa-
dour, clothes of the latest fash
lon, and perpetual smile OF ad-
mirRtion for itself. 1t answered
to the name of James Joseph Can
non-Marvin, and was by estate,
nephew and adopted son OF Mrs.
Marvin, born Cannon. 1t was at
most points perfectly ladyltke:
Nothing feminine. however. could
have carried about Its Load Of con-
ceIt. Witness the fact that J j..
G.-the boys called him stcadtast-
ly: "B'Gee," had said calmly he
meant to marry Denzil Ware, be-
cause she was rich enough to sup
port o bishop--the bishop he him
self was bound to be.
Denzil loved her side saddle ami
was Centaur in 1t. yet when II
happened that she had to stop be-
fore the Marvin menage. she wore
riding breeches with spurs n
her boots. When Mrs. Marvin was
moved to show Ter picture from
Godey's Ladies Book" in the so
Of q. rider whose skirt swept aer
horses knees, and whose heavily
plumed hat all but hid her face,
saying: There, my child. Is
the proper thing for ladies'" sac
had laughed outright, and said:
II think she has on hoops under
her hablt-Granny says she has
seen such things"
Granny was no mossbaCk. She
Z had not brought up Dsnzil-ra-
ther let her one grandchild grow
up as nature, love and sunshine
sW1lled. In result, her lightest
word was, Denzil's law-she knew
40 word was ever spoken save in
Counsel not reproof. Ware church
going might be something inter
nitteut, but Ware charity failed
not, either IN material things or
those Of the spirit. Gran had de-
clined in temper the wind of Den
I'll to the mlnlster's widow until
B'Gee made his election. After
that, feeling that no punishment
was greater than the crime, Ma
dame Ware had merely smiled
over each fresh outrage.
"Hel-lo-o!" Denzil repeated
throwing one spurred foot over
the pomeml better wake up YOU
all! I know you want to hear
"Weli! What is it," Mrs. James
aSked eagerly. coming half way
down the walk.
20! We're going to be civilized
at last" Den2il answered ecstati-
cally. IA professor has rented
Masonic Hall at the cross roads.
and Is going to teach US all to
shimmy."
what! What's that you say?
What is the world coming to"
the three ladies cried in chorus,
each in a different atrrighted key.
DenEil giggled softly: ITS She
protessor-Witha all kinds OF refer
ences and testImonials-or else
Won know the lodge would never
have let her In. She goes all the
gaits-every sort OF jazz, one steps
two steps, any old steps. Just
think what 1t will mean to--t0
your sou, Mrs. Marvin. know
he already dances those fashion
able things but here he can't show
off for lack of partners"
Mrs, Marvin purpled: my Jo-
seph will never palter with such
lniouity. He is as pure as new,
fallen snow-vOwed to God and
the ministry from his cradle" she
said loftily. Again Den2il gigGled
mighty 'fraId he'll never be a
bishop then" she gurgled. Don't
scripture tell OF Joseph whose
eoat had many different cOlors?
somehow l think it's risky to give
boy that name"
"If you persist In such sacrilige
j shall not stay to hear you" Mrs.
Marvin said with dignity, turning
toward the piazza. But the pay
ing guest stood fast, plying Den
ri with questions, dropping tnuen-
dos as to why and wherefore Of
the pettIcoated professor, but get
ting little for their pains. Denzil
mad seen her-no she didn't like
5her-the creature had a beard
At least her face looked shaved.
leo to her school? No, thank you
she had learned TO dance before
abe was fiYe--as for tho shimlny--
we'll: It might please some people
but she was not OF that sort.
After she had ridden off, Mrs.
Lotion, reHlectively: wild as she
NAV be Denzil is a lady top to toe,
4 In, let n